New Model of Care
Highlights: The Addictions Program
Our programs are changing to better serve our clients and
the citizens of Capital Health district.
Our changes are the result of a thorough review of our
programs and treatment outcomes. We compared our services and outcomes with
leading evidence-based best practices in addictions treatment. In addition, we
consulted extensively with our clients, partners and stakeholders. We made
changes to our programs based on our findings.
Our enhanced programs, all of which are based on evidence
and best practice in the field of addictions treatment, are designed to give
clients the best chance to achieve a healthy recovery. It is our goal to
support our clients in:
- completing their recommended treatment or length of stay
in programs
- continuing on with recommended follow up care with other
services
- actively engaging in setting personal goals for recovery
- gaining skills to prevent relapse and intervening early
when relapse occurs
- completing the recommended number of individual
counselling sessions and group therapies
- finding longer-term support through participation in
recovery groups or other groups available in the community
While some of our changes will give clients quicker
access to programs, others may involve clients waiting a little longer to enter
a program. But please note that it is our goal that all clients will benefit
from these changes by experiencing more effective treatment and improved
results from their treatment.
NEW PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
***INTENSIVE TREATMENT SERVICES***
1) Inpatient Treatment Program [formerly called
Withdrawal Management Inpatient (Detox) Program]
• Formerly, patients stayed 3-7 days and received
professional nursing care and medical management of their withdrawal symptoms.
• Now, patients will stay for up to 21 days. The first week
will focus on managing withdrawal symptoms and feeling better. During weeks two
and three, patients will begin to actively participate in a variety of
individual and group therapies, including recreation therapy. Patients will
benefit from the care of a professional team of nurses, social workers,
psychologist, and recreation therapists, including a navigator, who is
available to support patients in accessing needed community resources. During
their stay, patients will develop a treatment plan and connect with recommended
follow-up care providers (such as a counsellor in the community or staff in our
Day Treatment Program), to support their continued healthy recovery.
2) Day Treatment Program (formerly called Day Detox)
• Formerly, clients attended our day program for three weeks
and received support, education and group therapy delivered by our professional
nursing staff. Clients could join the program any day of the week, and day
program could accommodate up to 20 clients.
• Now, clients will attend Day Treatment Program for four
weeks. New clients will be admitted only on Mondays, and no more than 15
clients will be registered at any one time. This new structure is designed
provide a safe and stable learning and therapy environment for all involved.
Clients will participate in a variety of therapy and education groups from
Monday to Friday, 9 am - 4 pm, with Friday afternoons free. Clients in Day
Treatment Program will benefit from the care of a professional team of nurses,
social workers and recreation therapists. During their time with Day Treatment
Program, clients will set goals for recovery each day, further develop their
treatment plans and connect with recommended follow-up care providers (such as
a counsellor in the community or another community resource), to support their
continued healthy recovery.
3)
Opioid Treatment Program (formerly called Methadone Treatment
Services)
• The Opioid Treatment Program will have
enhanced group therapy options available to clients. Prior to being accepted
into this program, individuals are scheduled for a detailed assessment. To
learn more about this program, please call our Central Intake team at
424-8866 / 1-866-340-6700.
***COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES***
• Formerly, clients were required to attend an orientation
session prior to attending groups or seeing a clinician.
• Now individuals are booked for their first appointment as
soon as they contact our Central Intake team (424-8866 / 1-866-340-6700).
• Another change is that we offer an Introduction to
Recovery Group that individuals can begin to attend the same week that they
contact our Central Intake team (424-8866/1-866-340-6700).
• Clinicians at our Community-Based Services will offer
individual counselling and group therapies using evidence-based therapies that
have been shown to give individuals the best chance for a healthy recovery.
Typically, clients will participate in approximately six one-on-one individual
counselling sessions and will follow that up with participation in 8-12 group
therapy sessions. Clients also have the option to take part in other groups and
activities, including a variety of educational sessions, recreation and leisure
therapies and mindfulness and relaxation therapies. Longer-term support is
available through Addictions Program recovery groups or through other groups
available in the community.
• We also continue to offer education and support groups for
family members and affected others.
• As well, our Stop Smoking Services, Health Promotion and
Driving While Impaired/Interlock programs continue to be offered.
Services are free and available to all.
How
to Access Services
All
clients can access any program or service by calling our Central Intake team at
424-8866 (toll free 1-866-340-6700), which operates Mondays from 8:30 am-8:30
pm and Tuesdays-Fridays from 8:30 am-4:30 pm. Central Intake staff will discuss
the nature of each client's dependency and be able to answer any questions
about admissions, intakes and treatment options. Learn more at www.gethelpstopping.ca.
***********************
Rachel Boehm
Addictions Program Leader
Capital Health Addictions and
Mental Health Program
Rm. 188B, The Nova Scotia
Hospital, Purdy Building
300 Pleasant Street,
Dartmouth, NS B2Y 3Z6
902-424-8083 / Cell:
902-219-4707
Thinking
about change?
Concerned
about someone's involvement with alcohol, other drugs and/or gambling?
Our team of healthcare professionals
is here to help!
Contact
us to learn more, explore options or register for a program.
