Treatment for Opiate Addiction and Methadone Maintenance
25-year-old BC resident, Sean, is struggling to find public residential treatment for his addiction to opiates and dependency on methadone. We provided Sean with the resources to go to his local assessment office after he had called the three residential treatment programs most effective for him (see below) since there are no public adult treatment units offered by the Northern Health Authority (NHA). Because of where he lives, Sean will likely get referred to another health authority or province for treatment. Sean doesn’t want to be on methadone anymore either and has been in communication with his prescribing physician who is supportive of Sean’s decision. Individuals using methadone often have a more difficult time finding treatment (Methadone Maintenance Programs don’t align with many centers who are abstinence-based). That said, the Interior Health Authority’s (IHA) closest BC program has a 6-week treatment program that accepts stabilized methadone clients. Post-treatment, Sean can continue working with his doctor to taper slowly of Methadone completely. Sean had already found information about Bridgeway in Kelowna that does 6 weeks for men followed by 6 weeks for women, so it may be up to 12 weeks before he enters treatment. With that in mind, we suggested Sean start in an outpatient centre in Prince George and work with his doctor to begin tapering him off methadone until he can attend the next Bridgeway men’s program. Because Bridgeway is a public service, Sean will need to be assessed before being referred to this program in Kelowna, BC. We gave Sean the following resources to help in his search for treatment that works best for him. ASSESSMENT Adult Community Addiction Services located at the Community Response Unit 201-1705 3rd Avenue, phone (250) 565-2668. Hours: 8:30 to 4:30 pm Monday to Friday (closed 12 noon to 12:30 pm) Note: For adults with addiction issues only. DETOX Adult Withdrawal Management Unit 1308 Alward St. Prince George, BC V2M 7B1 Phone: (250) 565-2175 Fax: (250) 565-2790 21 beds for adults requiring medical detox or withdrawal management services. Clients must self-refer. TREATMENT Bridgeway Intensive Residential Treatment 760 Hwy 33 W. Kelowna, BC V1X 6A9 Phone: (250) 763-0456 ext. 402 Fax: (250) 868-7791 E-Mail: info@thebridgeservices.ca Website: www.thebridgeservices.ca/intensive-residential-treatment For adults over 19 years old. Clients need to be sober and stable prior to admission. There are 20 beds for alternating 6-week gender-specific treatment programs. Methadone clients are accepted. Read Bridgeway’s Admission Form to find out what else is required to attend this facility. http://www.thebridgeservices.ca/admissions-intensive-residential-treatment If Sean is able to attend programs outside of BC… Grande Prairie – Adult Primary Treatment (Ask if they accept methadone clients) Business Industry Clinic 11333-106 Street Grande Prairie, AB T8V 6T7 Phone: (780) 538-6316 Toll-free: 1(800) 419-1149 E-mail: admissions.biclinic@aadac.gov.ab.ca Website: Business & Industry Clinic Northern Addictions Centre 11333-106 Street Grande Prairie, AB T8V 6T7 Phone: (780) 538-6350 E-mail: admissions.nac-treatment@aadac.gov.ab.ca Website: Northern Addictions Centre Both these Grand Prairie programs offer a 20 day drug, alcohol, and gambling program. Both are co-ed and clients must be abstinent for 5 days prior to admittance. These facilities also have detox if needed. ...
My Doctor is Moving. What can I do?
My family doctor in Coquitlam BC is retiring at the end of June. I have a lot of health issues and pain issues and my doctor has had me on something called Seupedol for about 10 years (triplicate) as I cannot take any sort of Aspirin-type products due to stomach and bleeding problems. It’s a real dilemma. I don’t know what to do as I know walk-ins will not give any sort of triplicates. I need to be helped into the right direction. – Carmen, BC Lower Mainland Hi Carmen, I suggest you contact doctor to find out more about the physician he is recommending his patients to. Retiring doctors usually don’t abandon their patients. However, if this is the case then you your best bet will be to contact the BC College of Physicians and Surgeons to find doctors taking new patients in your area. This way you can find a new doctor and have him or her communicate with your old one before he retires. College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia 300–669 Howe Street Vancouver BC V6C 0B4 Canada Telephone 604-733-7758 Toll Free 1-800-461-3008 Fax 604-733-3503 Hours of operation: Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. I hope this information is helpful. All the best,...
30-Year-Old Male with Cocaine Addiction
Aaron*, 30-year-old male from Cloverdale BC, contacted us looking for a residential treatment program in the Okanagan to treat his cocaine addiction. After speaking to Aaron for a little longer on the phone, we learned he’s also on disability. He also desired to move away from the lower mainland and, thus, was interested in knowing his options outside of the GVRD. We talked about the various public programs and what health authorities want from you when seeking treatment. We also focused on FVHA and IHA treatment programs at his request. ASSESSMENT AND OUTPATIENT This is the office we suggested Aaron use as a start point for getting referred into treatment. Surrey Mental Health & Addictions #1100 13401 108th Avenue, phone: (604) 953-4900 Intake hours: 1:30 pm to 3 pm M-F Regular office hours are 8:30 to 4:30 pm M-F. This is also the place Aaron can look into receiving outpatient treatment as a temporary solution while he awaits approval and funding for public treatment. To treat concurrent mental illnesses and addiction there is a concurrent disorder specialist, but a referral is first required from an in-house case worker. RESIDENTIAL After guiding Aaron through the assessment process, we provided Aaron with the many BC options for treatment. This is a link to where we maintain an updated list of treatment options for people looking to get help: http://www.canadadrugrehab.ca/BC/British-Columbia-Residential-Alcohol-Drug-Rehab-Programs.html#adult This is a list of programs funded by the FVHA (Fraser Valley Health Authority) The MRTC (Maple Ridge treatment Centre) King Haven (Abbotsford) The Burnaby centre for mental health and addiction We also talked heavily about a program in Kelowna, BC that may suit Aaron’s needs: (However, it can take up to 12 weeks to get admitted depending on when Aaron applies, so it may not be his best option depending on the next intake date) Bridgeway – Intensive Residential treatment 760 Hwy 33 W. Kelowna, BC V1X 6A9 Phone: (250) 763-0456 ext. 402 Fax: (250) 868-7791 Email: info@thebridgeservices.ca Website: www.thebridgeservices.ca/intensive-residential-treatment For adults who are 19+. Clients need to be sober and stable prior to admission. There are 20 beds within this alternating 6-week gender-specific treatment program. Methadone clients are accepted. OUR FINAL SUGGESTIONS We suggested Aaron call the mental health office in Surrey, book an appointment for an assessment/referral and then contact the treatment programs. Aaron will need to do his homework for each the programs and figure out which one he would really like to get into. We also linked him to this set of questions that we recommend all individuals searching for treatment ask potential facilities. The benefit of setting up treatment this way is that when Aaron goes for his assessment appointment at the Mental Health office to talk about referrals, he will have the necessary information and packages for the programs he wants to attend. Not only will it help speed up the treatment program, it shows Aaron has initiative. Here is another set of questions if individuals are looking to go the next step when finding treatment for themselves or a loved one. Using these following questions in conjunction with our primary questions as part of a checklist will help people evaluate treatment options and compare the services of different facilities operating. This may seem like overkill for some and that might be the case. It may also be immensely useful for others who need above average information in order to decide on a treatment program. A successful organization will be able to answer all these questions without difficulty. Afterwards, you may be surprised by the answers you receive from the treatment centres and how that affects...
Family Aboriginal Treatment
In addition to speaking with people needing treatment for themselves or a loved one, we also collaborate regularly with therapists and counselors whose clients are in need of specialized programs for their addiction and dependency issues. Jake* made a deal with the devil to get his substance-abusing parents sober. His counselor called us, after observing Jake’s struggles, looking for youth PTSD programs and programs for substance-affected family members. Unfortunately for Jake and many others, there are few programs out there for family members struggling with a loved one’s addiction; only seven that we are aware of. We sent this link to Jake’s counselor. It details all native alcohol and drug abuse programs by type and region throughout Canada. We sent information specifically for family support and treatment: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fniah-spnia/substan/ads/nnadap-pnlaada_dir-rep-eng.php#famil FAMILY PROGRAMS FOR FIRST NATIONS Armstrong Native Residential Services Round Lake Treatment Centre Armstrong Phone: (250) 546-3077 Open to all first nations and non-natives. Programs are 32 to 41 days and are offered on a closed-group basis. Jake will need a referral to attend this facility located on the Okanagan Indian Reserve near Vernon. Program focuses include holistic healing and First Nations’ culture. Funded by the First Nations & Inuit Health Branch and Interior Health Authority. Kitwanga Native Residential Services Wilp Si’Satxw House of Purification Kitwanga Road, Kitwanga Phone: (250) 849-5211 Wilp Si’Satxw hosts a family program for all age groups in the summer (June to July, July to August). All programs have an addiction focus. For psychiatric services, the psychiatrist spends the last week of each program with clients. For aftercare, a counselor provides direct follow-up and support for alumni. Prince’George’Na-ve’Residential Services Carrier Sekani Family Services 987 4th Avenue Prince George, BC V2L 3H7 Phone: (250) 562-3591 Email: jackie@csfs.org Camp runs 6 months out of the year from May to October and 7 days long. This camp includes smudging, prayer, circle, workshop, and an evening activity. Port Alberni Native Residential Services Kackaamin Family Development Centre 7830 Beaver Creek Road Port Alberni, BC V9Y 8N3 Phone: (250) 723-7789 Email: info@kackaamin.org Williams Lake Native Residential Services Nenqayni Wellness Society Williams Lake Phone: (250) 989-0301 For family program, all ages and genders can participate. Programs are 42 days and include daycare. There are 19 beds for the family program. If one person has a status number, then the rest of the family qualifies for NNADAP funding. Fort Alexanders Native Adult Primary Treatment Sagkeeng’Mino’Pima-ziwin Family Centre Box 4 For Alexanders, MB R0E 0P0 Phone: (204) 367-2172 Email: Intake@familytreatment.ca A 10-bed family program that last 7 days. Moosonee Native Adult Primary Treatment Sagashtawao Healing Lodge Moosonee, Ontario P0L 1Y0 Phone: (705)-336-3450 E-Mail: sagashtawao@ontera.net A co-ed first nations residential program for individuals 18 years and over. Languages spoken: English and Cree. Also have a residential program for the entire family (The ”Family Healing”...
Welcome!
Hello and welcome to the BC detox blog. This blog and many others are operated by www.canadadrugrehab.ca where we talk to people every day by phone and email and help them find the addiction treatment and support they need for themselves or loved ones. That being said, we know there are many more people out there that we can help. For those who we are unable to communicate with directly by phone or email, we will be posting regular blogs detailing situations of callers across Canada and the resources we provided them so they have the resources to deal with their unique situation (names and personal information will be changed or removed to protect privacy). Each person’s situation is different and the links and information we give is tailored to that individual and their specific needs. We hope you will be able to identify with some of the people in these excerpts and find the provided information helpful in your own search for treatment options. For more personalized help in finding addiction treatment, please contact us at 1.877.746.1963 or info@canadadrugrehab.ca. There is no cost for connecting with us. CDR is a public service whose mission is to help individuals and families struggling with addiction in Canada find treatment and other resources that will help them develop improved, more fulfilling...
