What kinds of treatment do you offer?

We offer Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST) for opioid drug addiction as well as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).

What is Opioid Substitution Therapy?

This is when a physician practicing in OST, prescribes an opioid medication that counters the withdrawal symptoms “feeling sick” and acts as a substitute for the opioids you were already taking.

How much does this cost?

If you have your Ontario Health Card the doctor visits are covered by OHIP so there is no cost. The prescribed medication does have a cost but in many cases is covered by government programs or private health insurance.

Should I show up on a day the doctor is in?

You can fill out the paperwork on any day. If the doctor is not in the clinic will be less busy. If a doctor is available to do your initial visit we may begin your treatment right away. If a doctor is not available make an appointment to see the doctor when they are available.

What should I be prepared to do on my first visit?

Fill out paperwork, answer questions related to your mental health, physical health, drug use, and personal history. A urine test will also be required and the doctor may examine you.

Is there anything else I need to know?

That’s the basics. For more information on beginning treatment scroll down.

How long will the paperwork take?

The paperwork will take as long as you need in order to fully understand the questions we have asked. You are free to ask us as many questions as you like.

If I’m addicted to prescription drugs can I come to your clinic?

Yes. We treat people who are addicted to “street drugs” and prescription drugs.

What if I have drugs in my urine?

If you are entering a program for drug treatment it makes sense if there are drugs in your urine. The exception is if you have OST drugs in your urine. This will delay the start of your treatment.

What are OST drugs?

They are the drugs the doctor prescribes to treat you. If you are already taking them, without a prescription, your first prescription will be delayed.

As part of the paperwork, what kind of forms will I have to sign?

Some of the forms are simple such as your name, address, and phone number.

The doctor needs to document your patient history and know your physical health, mental health, and living situation.

You have to read, understand, and sign all the paperwork or you won’t be allowed in for treatment.

Many of the forms have to do with you giving your consent to treatment and to share your personal health information with other people who will be treating you.

Do you expect me to be honest when I fill these out?

Yes. In fact the vast majority of patients are incredibly honest about their drug use and living situation. After all they came in to get better.

Hey, some of these documents have the word “contract” on them. What if I want to quit treatment?

You can leave the program at any time.

How old do I have to be to get into treatment?

If you are under 18 years of age you may be considered for treatment if there are special circumstances surrounding your situation. If you are interested, we can provide you with more information about these special circumstances. Everyone who is 18 years of age or older is welcome.

If I’m pregnant can I get into treatment?

Pregnant women may be admitted into treatment. Your treatment plan may be different than normal due to your pregnancy.

How soon can I get my prescription?

As soon as you have completed your initial appointment with the doctor.

How long does the first appointment take?

Close to an hour. The medication you are prescribed must be taken as directed. If it is not taken as directed or is combined with other medications or substances it may cause overdose and death.

The doctor needs to give you an overview of the treatment program as well as impress the importance of using medication as prescribed for your safety.

Is there anything else I need to know?

That covers your first appointment. For more about return visits scroll down.

When do I have to come back?

The doctor will let you know when to come back for your next appointment. Usually it is within three days for a dose adjustment.

What is a dose adjustment?

The first dose of prescribed medication may not treat all of your withdrawal symptoms. Your dose may need to be adjusted upwards.

Likewise if you are feeling side effects from the prescribed medication you may be on too high a dose. In which case your dose may be adjusted downwards.

Do I have to keep coming back forever?

Eventually, if you provide enough clean urine results you may get carries.

What are carries?

“Carries” are take-home doses of prescribed medication. Instead of having to attend the pharmacy in person to take your medication you will eventually be able to take your medication home.

Are you going to ask me if I’ve been using every time I show up for an appointment?

Yes. If you don’t want to fill out the form we’ll still find out from the urine test.

I’m already in for an appointment with the doctor. Why can’t they do all the stuff that my family doctor does?

He or she is not your family doctor. His or her skills are focused on problems that directly affect your addiction treatment.

For regular medical issues you should still go to your family doctor. If you don’t have one we can recommend a family doctor or walk in clinic.

Is there anything else I need to know?

That covers dose adjustment and carries. For urine testing info scroll down.

Will I have to do urine tests?

You’ll have to do one on the first visit and after that your urine will be tested regularly.

Are you going to watch me while I provide the sample?

Yes. Urine samples will be taken “under observation” with video cameras. This is to ensure that people don’t pass off someone else’s urine as their own.

Is it true that I can put “clean” urine in the cup with a tube or syringe and you won’t notice?

We’ll spot it on camera. We also test the temperature of the sample with an infrared thermometer. There’s also no reason to cheat. We want you to get better and nobody will ever be informed of the results except your doctor.

Does everyone have to provide a urine sample?

Yes. You have to provide a urine sample in order to be admitted for assessment and treatment.

Is it true you’ll test positive for Heroin if you eat a poppy seed bagel before the test?

It is possible so don’t eat anything with poppy seeds in it if you want to test clean.

Will I have to keep doing these urine tests forever?

You will be tested frequently at first. If you are in good standing with the program and making progress you will be tested less often.

If you’re constantly giving samples that have drugs in them then you’ll be tested frequently. The best way to avoid frequent tests is to stay clean.

Is there anything else I need to know?

The last section is about confidentiality and treatment program rules. Please ensure that you scroll down for more information.

Is my treatment totally confidential?

There are only a few situations where information can be passed outside of the treatment team.

It will be given out if you give consent in writing, if you say something or behave in a way that looks like you might hurt yourself or someone else, if you say or do something that might indicate that you are abusing or neglecting a child, if you are facing trial and the court subpoenas your treatment records as evidence or otherwise required by law.

You guys wouldn’t kick me out of the program… Would you?

There are only a few situations were we would have to discharge you from the clinic involuntarily.

If you make threats, get disruptive with, or get violent with anyone in or near the clinic, you sell or give away your medication, you don’t show up for your dose three days in a row, you commit a crime in or near the clinic, you continue to abuse other drugs, or you fail to attend counseling sessions you will be dismissed.

If I do get kicked out do you just turn your back on me?

If possible we will provide you with the option of transferring to another clinic.

We will communicate the decision clearly to you and will provide a “tapering” schedule and an end date for your prescription.

We will give you a reasonable amount of time to find another doctor. We will provide you with reasonable help to find a new doctor.

We’ll have you sign a notification that makes it clear that you are aware that your treatment is being terminated.

We will place a copy of this notification in your medical record. If you continue being violent or disruptive we can’t do anything for you.

Do I have to tell my family doctor that I’m on OST?

Yes. Anytime you receive a prescription for a narcotic or controlled substance from a doctor both doctors must know. Also your family doctor is part of your treatment team (sometimes known as, “circle of care.”)

If you don’t inform your doctor you could be accused of “double doctoring” which is illegal and you will be kicked out of your treatment program.