- Intended For
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For voluntary patients 18+ with severe and persistent substance use and complex social determinants of health issues who need more intensive treatment than what is available in the community.
- Referral Requirements:
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Referrals from the CAMH Emergency Department and community referrals
- Additional Referral Details
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Self-referrals can be made via Access CAMH (call 416-535-8501 press 2).
- An Access CAMH staff will complete a phone screen with the patient to determine whether a stay in the Medical Withdrawal Unit is required or if an alternative service would be more appropriate
- Eligible patients will be placed on a waitlist and then contacted by MWS intake staff when a possible admission date is approaching
- Services Offered As:
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Inpatient
- Program Duration:
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Depends on individual need, from 3 – 21 days
- Location:
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Queen Street site - White Squirrel Way
- Hours of Operation:
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Admission hours as directed, when the admission date is confirmed.
- Contact Phone Number:
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Access CAMH: 416 535-8501, press 2
Types of Treatment and Services Offered
Goals of Treatment
- comprehensive withdrawal management support and stabilization of addiction and any concurrent disorder (medical or psychiatric) to allow for engagement with outpatient/community resources
- development of integrated treatment plans for next stage of treatment
- enhancement of motivation to maintain abstinence
- learning coping skills in early sobriety
- introduction of pharmacological treatments for addiction and other simultaneous conditions
Treatment Details
- patients will receive nicotine replacement therapy to support nicotine withdrawal products during admission if required
- maximum 2-3 week admission
- medically managed intensive inpatient treatment
- multidisciplinary staff team (physician, nurse practitioner, RNs, RPNs, social workers, recreationist, occupational therapist, stress management support)
- allied health staff will facilitate group, individual and psychoeducation sessions seven days per week
Program Overview
This unit consolidates established and emerging medical and psychosocial treatments in a recovery-oriented milieu. The team works with the system to get patients to the right care at the right time, engage in intensive discharge planning and establishment of community supports.
CAMH is committed to placing diversity, equity, and inclusion at the centre of our work. Read more about health equity at CAMH here.
Be prepared with the all information you need to make your inpatient experience at CAMH as comfortable as possible, so you can focus on getting better. Read more about preparing for your stay here.