Mental Health & Addictions

CKHA’s Withdrawal Management Service (WMS) operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week at the Chatham Site in the former outpatient Mental Health & Addictions Clinic. WMS is an evidence based, recovery-oriented, harm reduction approach to drug and alcohol addiction and offers a safe and supportive environment to withdraw from substances and initiate follow-up addictions treatment. Our service aims to provide a holistic model of care encompassing an individual’s physical, emotional, social and spiritual well-being to work towards the goals that the individual has identified.

Through daily support from Chemical Dependency Counsellors and Registered Practical Nurses, clients will be offered brief supportive motivational counselling, and positive client-centred discharge planning that supports holistic, positive life changes. Services will include:

• A safe, supportive environment to identify and work towards goals
• Life skills groups
• Education on the stages of withdrawal
• Change plan coaching
• Assessments and referrals for treatment
• Outpatient treatment planning

The first step to accessing services is to call for bed availability and general instructions on the admission process. During this phone call, eligibility requirements will be discussed. 

Clients can call Withdrawal Management Services directly at 519.352.6400 ext. 6740. This phone line is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Clients can also access admission to WMS through the Emergency Department, particularly if they have pressing medical needs.

If an individual is unsure if outpatient or bedded addictions treatment is best for them, they can attend the outpatient Rapid Access to Addiction Medicine (RAAM) clinic located with WMS in Addiction Services to discuss their goals with the RAAM staff.  

For clients that need immediate, low barrier access to outpatient services, please see the RAAM clinic for more information.