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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

Visiting -- Since patients return home each weekend, there are no visiting hours.

Addiction Programs Admission Process -- An appointment must be set up to be assessed by a staff physician for admission to any of the ROMHC's 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 on 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.

Proof of Program Attendance -- Patients who require proof that they participated in the Meadow Creek program will be charged a fee for any documentation requested by third parties such as employers, lawyers and insurance companies. Patients requesting a 'To Whom It May Concern' letter stating that they have completed the Meadow Creek program will be supplied with one at no charge.

Substance Use & Concurrent Disorders

Meadow Creek Program

Lasting a total of four weeks, the Meadow Creek program is divided into three distinct cycles: A, B and C.  Cycles A and B total three weeks (Monday to Friday) and can be completed either as an inpatient resident or as a day patient. 

Cycle C, the forth and final week of treatment, is made up of half days (8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday to Friday) and is completed only as a day patient to help ease the transition back to the community.

After the four weeks of intensive treatment at Meadow Creek patients move on to eight to ten weeks of weekly aftercare and then nine months of monthly aftercare.  These aftercare group sessions -- each an hour and a half long -- are held at The Royal.

The Meadow Creek program includes educational sessions, films, group therapy, individual counseling, leisure activities, nutrition education, and attendance at Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) and Narcotics Anonymous (N.A.) meetings.

With the aid of clinical staff, patients will make the plans and changes necessary for their recovery from chemical dependency.  Patients will also be encouraged to examine their relationships with others and how these relationships affect their recovery.

Homework & Individual Counseling
There is no TV or newspapers at this program.  When patients aren't attending an activity, they are expected to be working on program material, which generally means whatever assignment has been given to them, reading addiction-related books, or listening to relaxation tapes provided by staff.  Homework time is private time and patients are encouraged to work on their own during these periods, as quiet is necessary for introspection.

Meadow Creek Rules
The following rules for patients are firm and non-negotiable:

• The use of alcohol or drugs during the program is not allowed.
• Prescribed non-addictive medications are accepted
• Patients must attend and fully participate in all aspects of the program, including recreation.  Exceptions will be made for medical reasons only.
• Patients must be fully dressed when outside their bedroom, including proper footwear.
• Eating or drinking is not permitted during groups or lectures.
• Smoking is allowed only in the smoking kiosk located outside the building.
• Physical violence, horseplay, threats of violence and abusive language are unacceptable.
• Romantic involvement with a fellow patient is grounds for discharge from the Meadow Creek Program.

Leisure & Recreation
Leisure and recreation are important to each patient's successful recovery.  Both concepts are explored as part of the educational component of all patients' treatment.  While a patient, you are encouraged to engage in and explore activities that can help develop, maintain and express an appropriate leisure lifestyle.  Activities such as walking, relaxation exercises, listening to music, puzzles, board games and other gentle pastimes are available.

Weekends
All patients leave the program on Friday afternoons and return Monday mornings.  Returning home on weekends is considered an important part of treatment, as it gives patients an opportunity to identify potential risk situations to their recovery and try new skills they have learned while in the program.