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Substance Use & Concurrent Disorders Program
Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre
1145 Carling Avenue
Ottawa, Ontario K1Z 7K4
Ph: 613.722.6521, ext. 6508

Fast Facts

Addiction Programs Admission Process -- An appointment must be set up to be assessed by a staff physician for admission to any of the ROMHC Substance Use & Concurrent Disorder programs.  Patients in the Ottawa area are expected to present in person with a valid Ontario health card at the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre, 1145 Carling Avenue.  Office hours are 8 a.m. to 12 noon, and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday (closed all statutory holidays).  Patients living outside Ottawa are asked to call the office at 722-6521, ext. 6508 during office hours to schedule their appointment.  Please have your valid Ontario health card at hand when calling.

Visiting Hours -- Visiting is allowed Monday to Friday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. (all patients attend a group session from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.).  On Saturday and Sunday visiting hours are from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Patient Phone -- Patients on the ASU may be reached by calling 613.722.6521, ext. 7038.

Proof of Program Attendance -- Patients who require proof that they participated in the ASU's programming will be charged a fee for any documentation requested by third parties such as employers, lawyers and insurance companies.

Substance Use & Concurrent Disorders

Assessment & Stabilization Unit

The Assessment and Stabilization Unit (ASU) is the heart of the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre's Substance Use & Concurrent Disorders Program.  The ASU is a 12-bed inpatient unit located at the Ottawa site, where clients with a substance abuse problem are admitted for assessment, medically supervised detoxification and stabilization. 

To be admitted to the ASU, patients must first demonstrate that they are motivated to receive treatment.  The average length of stay in the ASU is about 25 days.  Patients who have a psychiatric medical illness as well as a substance abuse problem may have a longer period of stabilization before they are ready for the next stage of the recovery process.

Patients will be introduced to self-help groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) or Narcotics Anonymous (N.A.), as well as to concepts of addiction treatment through educational groups, film and discussion groups, and individual counseling.

The ASU provides a safe, supportive and caring environment where patients can become drug free and be evaluated for an appropriate treatment program.  This is where the patient can begin the rehabilitative process for living free of chemicals and other mood-altering substances.

Patient Guidelines
Patients admitted to the ASU are expected to respect several key rules.  These rules help the Unit function in an orderly fashion and contribute to an atmosphere where all patients can maximize the opportunity for their recovery.  The rules include:

• Patients are not to take any medications prescribed or otherwise without permission from treatment staff.
• Patients are not to possess any addictive substances while in treatment.
• Confiscated and voluntarily surrendered addictive drugs will not be returned to the patient at the time of discharge and will be destroyed by The Royal's pharmacy.
• Rooms and belongings may be searched for drugs, weapons, or other contraband at any time during treatment on the ASU.
• Patients will provide a urine sample for drug screening whenever requested.
• Violence and threatened violence (including verbal abuse) towards other patients, staff or property will result in discharge from the Unit.
• No smoking, eating or drinking is allowed during lectures, films, meetings or group discussions.  Smoking is permitted in designated areas only.

The Addiction Treatment Team
The Substance Use & Concurrent Disorders treatment team is made up of different health care providers who work together to ensure that patients receive the best possible care.  This team includes nurses, physicians, addiction counselors, social workers, and dieticians, among others. 

These professionals work with each patient to provide an individualized plan for care during admission to the ASU, as well as to provide a plan for patients in the next stages of their recovery.