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Substance Use & Concurrent Disorders

Program Overview

The Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre's Substance Use & Concurrent Disorders Program offers a variety of services to help patients and their families learn about substance abuse and how to live a chemical-free lifestyle.

Addiction treatment services are available to anyone with a determination to stop alcohol or drug abuse.  Referrals may be made through a physician or addiction organization, and self-referrals are also accepted by calling 613.722.6521, ext. 6508.  The costs of treatment are covered by OHIP.

Substance Use and Concurrent Disorders (SU & CU) Program
The SU & CD Program provides a continuum of care to anyone dealing with substance abuse.  Identification, prevention, early intervention, treatment and follow-up services are provided. 

The program promotes lifestyle changes for clients that will allow them to reintegrate into the community with support in dealing with related psychosocial problems and assists family members in addressing addiction-related issues in their lives. 

A multidisciplinary team provides services at three different sites in the Ottawa-Carleton area.  Assessment services are available in English or French; all other services are available in English only.

Assessment & Stabilization
Assessment, medically-supervised detoxification and stabilization are offered at the Carling Avenue site in a 12-bed inpatient unit or in an outpatient clinic.  Clients are introduced to self-help groups and to concepts of addiction treatment and education.  Subsequently, clients are referred to programs at the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre or in the community that best meets their needs.

Residential & Day Treatment
Meadow Creek offers a 21-day treatment program with 12 resident and 10 day patients participating in identical activities and programs.  Individual and group therapy sessions help clients learn about substance abuse and recovery and how to live free of alcohol and other psycho-active substances.  The program is followed by a one-week intensive outpatient aftercare program, weekly aftercare sessions for eight weeks, and monthly sessions for nine months.

Concurrent Disorder Assessment & Treatment
The SU & CD Program includes assessments for adult clients with both a mental health issue and a substance abuse problem.  Individualized therapy and follow-up may be offered as well as recommendations for treatment.

Evening and or Afternoon Educational Programs
Educational and support programs are provided for patients who are experiencing substance use disorder problems, but who are unable to attend an intensive treatment program or who are assessed to be appropriate for this treatment approach. 

The program consists of 16 weekly meetings designed to provide education about various aspects of addiction and recovery.  Clients must be abstaining from the use of all psychoactive substances prior to referral to this program.

Family Program
Family members and those emotionally involved with substance abusers require assistance to deal with the effects of chemical dependency on their lives.  An intensive four-day program for persons over the age of 18 helps them to identify their own needs and to develop plans to meet them.  Orientation, support and aftercare groups are also provided.

Relapse Prevention
Weekly group therapy sessions are provided for those who have attended a treatment program and relapsed.

Women's Program
This program addresses gender-specific issues that, if not resolved, have the potential of triggering relapse in clients who have completed an addiction program and are maintaining sobriety.  Six weekly meetings include an educational component, discussion and referral for further help if necessary.

Early Intervention Program
This school-based program operates in conjunction with local school boards.  It is designed for students at risk for developing chemical dependency as indicated by early warning signs or predisposing factors and for students for whom use of alcohol and other drugs has just begun to create problems.