Addiction Medicine Service

Through a team of physicians, nurses, pharmacists and therapists, the Addiction Medicine Service provides pharmacotherapy for substance dependence to alcohol, opioid and benzodiazepines. Our services include: 

• medical assessment


• maintenance therapies for opioid addiction (methadone and buprenorphine)


• treatment of concomitant pain and addiction.


• outpatient alcohol withdrawal


• medications to prevent relapse to alcohol use (naltrexone, acamprosate, disulfiram)


• benzodiazepine tapering


• counselling


• group therapy


• resource room (which provides food & housing support, employment support and skills groups)


• urine drug testing

The service also provides education and training for health professional students and practicing health professionals interested in learning more about Addiction Medicine. All programs are located at the Bell Gateway Building at the Queen Street site.

Treatment for Alcohol Dependence - Alcohol Research and Treatment Clinic (ARTC)

Clients who have a goal of abstinence from alcohol and require medical assistance to achieve this goal are offered comprehensive assessment performed by an inter-professional team that includes both a psychosocial and medical component. At the time of assessment, the MD recommends the most appropriate setting for withdrawal management and provides options for follow up care.  This can include out-patient medical withdrawal management (Day Detox) along with individual counselling when appropriate. Clients in need of in-patient withdrawal management are referred to the Medical Withdrawal Services at CAMH. Additionally, we offer pharmacotherapy for relapse prevention, combined with professional therapeutic counselling. ARTC is currently using approved pharmacotherapies (disulfiram, naltrexone and acamprosate) and second lines therapies (baclofen and topiramate) for relapse prevention. Comprehensive and holistic treatment plans are customized for each client and include psychosocial support, case management and concurrent treatment for mood and/or anxiety disorders and nicotine dependence where appropriate.

We also work with clients with a goal of reduction of alcohol intake that would like to be assisted with medical approaches to reach this goal.

Treatment for Opioid and other Substance Dependence

Clients who are diagnosed with opioid addiction are offered various treatment options including maintenance therapies with methadone or buprenorphine in a structured treatment program.

Clients who are diagnosed as benzodiazepine dependent are offered various treatment options including benzodiazepine tapering in collaboration with their family doctor or psychiatrist. Clients can develop and pursue an individualized treatment plan including setting goals around the reduction or cessation of the use of opioids or other drugs of concern in collaboration with their physician, therapist, nurse and other members of the multi-disciplinary team. Clients with concomitant pain & addiction are also treated in this program.

Treatment for Pain Disorders and Chemical Dependence - Pain and Chemical Dependence Clinical Consultation Service (PCC)

Clients who are experiencing an established chronic pain condition along with an aberrant use or dependence on substances, or suspicion thereof, will initially be assessed by an RN, who will recommend next steps to the referring physician in our Pain and Chemical Dependency Consultation Service.

The service takes an interprofessional approach that incorporates medical, psychological, functional, and physical treatment methods in an intensive, integrated format to improve symptoms, function and occupational outcomes in a cost-effective manner for patients with chronic pain disorders.

The focus of the service is to be consultative and collegial. New clients are assessed and recommendations are made back to the referring physician.

Please note that clients who are referred for rationalization of their medications and would benefit from methadone or Suboxone for pain but are not determined high risk will have treatment recommendations from the consult that will ultimately be managed by their family physicians.

Please note that a physician referral is required.

Referrals to PCC should include the following documents:

• Specific reason for consultation


• Medical & psychiatric history


• Pain consultation notes


• Relevant consultation notes from other specialists


• Salient imaging scans & recent ECG if available


• Summary of prescription medications

The PCC service has a 3 to 6 month waiting period for an appointment. If there any questions, please call 416-535-8501 x 2

 

To book an assessment please contact  Access CAMH, the centralized intake service at CAMH.  Access CAMH ensures the right patient gets to the right place at the right time.

Referral Required: No

Access CAMH contact (416) 535-8501, press 2

Fax referrals to Access CAMH:  416-979-6815.

For all other Addiction Medicine Service inquires contact: (416) 535-8501, ext 36019.

Located at: CAMH Bell Gateway Building (BGB) 100 Stokes Street, 3rd Floor, Toronto, Ontario M6J 1H4

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