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.