Withdrawal Management Service

About

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

How to Access Services

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.

Length of Stay

The average length of stay is 3-7 days depending on each individuals current substance use, treatment planning, and personal goals. Once the individual has been admitted to WMS, they will not be able to leave and return to the facility during their stay, unless approved by management.

Visiting Hours

To create an environment that focuses on recovery, while avoiding triggers and distractions, visitors will not be allowed to see clients while in WMS except for booked family meetings that can be discussed with staff on admission.

Additional Supports

Breaking Free Provides 24/7 Recovery Support
Breaking Free is a free online support tool available to anyone living in Ontario. It is completely confidential and can be accessed 24/7 on any desktop, tablet or smartphone. It is available to help Ontarians ages 16 and older make changes to their substance use patterns. The Breaking Free program helps individuals develop coping skills and access key resources. It is easy to use, safe and confidential and available in English and French.

Register for Breaking Free: www.breakingfreeonline.ca.

Contact

Addiction Services
RAAM & WMS
Zone F, Level 1
519.352.6400 Ext. 6740

Rashoo Brar
Director, Mental Health & Addictions Program
519.352.6401 x 6670
rbrar@ckha.on.ca

Dan Saunders
Clinical Manager, Inpatient Psychiatry, Outpatient Mental Health & Addictions & Outreach
519.352.6401 x 5746
dsaunders@ckha.on.ca

Stephanie DeVito
Clinical Supervisor, Mental Health & Addictions
519.352.6400 Ext. 6154
sdevito@ckha.on.ca