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The Royal’s Substance Use and Concurrent Disorders Program (SUCD) serves people living with complex substance (drug or alcohol) use, mental health, and physical health issues. This program offers a range of inpatient and outpatient services for people living with substance use and mental health concerns, which together are called concurrent disorders.
The Substance Use and Concurrent Disorders Program provides specialized, evidence-based services to help our clients and their families optimize health and well-being. We will work with each client to understand their goals and determine the best treatment and supports to achieve those goals.
Our services
- Rapid Access Addiction Medicine (RAAM) services
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The Rapid Access Addiction Medicine (RAAM) Clinic offers services for people who may have concerns about their alcohol and/or opioid use. We help by:
- reviewing your treatment goals with you,
- providing medication(if needed) for opioid and/or alcohol problems,
- providing brief individual counselling, and
- connecting you with the right community resources for your needs.
NEW! Access to the RAAM Clinic has changed in response to COVID-19:
- Due to current COVID-19 infection prevention measures, individuals are not able to “walk-in” to the RAAM clinic at this time.
- We want to make access to the RAAM Clinic easy for you. You can now connect with us in two ways:
- You can connect with our RAAM Clinic team “virtually” through our digital front door by “checking in” at theroyal.accessRAAM.ca during our clinic hours. You will need a device with a camera that is connected to the Internet (e.g. a mobile phone, computer, or tablet).
- You can also connect with our RAAM Clinic team by calling +1 (613) 722-6521 ext. 6508 during clinic hours.
Most of our care is currently taking place virtually, however, in some situations our team may request that that we see you for a booked in person appointment.
You don’t need a referral for the RAAM Clinic. If another clinic or hospital emergency department has suggested that you come to the RAAM Clinic, they will contact us on your behalf.
The clinic is open Monday-Friday and closed on statutory holidays. You can find “check-in” hours at theroyal.accessRAAM.ca.
- Regional Opioid Intervention Service
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The Regional Opioid Intervention Service supports and treats people who are concerned about their opioid use and mental health issues. This service is for youth and young adults (16-29), or people who have been struggling with their opioid use for shorter periods of time (typically five years or less).
This service offers:
- Outpatient opioid agonist therapy and follow-up services, as well as mental health and substance use treatment based on each client’s unique needs
- Partnership with community organizations to help with ongoing care, including case management, counselling, and social supports
During your appointment, the clinical team will work with you to determine which service, either at The Royal or in the community, will best meet your needs.
If you are struggling with opioid use, please call our RAAM Clinic at +1 (613) 722-6521 ext. 6508 to discuss your treatment options.
If you are from outside the Ottawa area, please call +1 (613) 722-6521 ext. 6224 to speak to a member of our team about accessing our services.
If you are a physician or nurse practitioner who would like a telephone consultation about your patient with an opioid problem, please contact us at +1 (613) 722-6521 ext. 6736. The Regional Opioid Intervention Service provides training, mentorship, and ongoing consultation for primary care providers (physicians and nurse practitioners), as well as addiction and mental health professionals to support your capacity to diagnose and treat opioid use problems.
- Assessment and Stabilization Unit
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The Assessment and Stabilization Unit is a 12-bed inpatient unit at the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre that provides assessment, medically supervised detoxification and stabilization for clients who have problems with alcohol or opioid use.
You may be admitted to the Assessment and Stabilization Unit if you:
Require a medically supervised detox from alcohol (i.e. if you have a previous history of seizure or delirium tremens, or other medical issues that make detox more complicated); OR Have been unable to start or stabilize on opioid agonist therapy in the community (i.e. continue to use opioids while on opioid agonist therapy).
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Concurrent Disorders Unit: Inpatient
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The Concurrent Disorders Unit is an intensive inpatient unit for people with severe, complex, and active substance (drug or alcohol) use and mental health disorders with significant impairment in functioning.
Our team offers stabilization, assessment, diagnostic clarification, and treatment of concurrent disorders (mental health and substance use). The team consists of:
- addiction medicine physicians
- clinical psychologists
- psychiatrist
- social workers
- nurses
- recreation therapist
- dietitian
We work with each client to develop a care plan that meets their needs. Most programming is group-based, using structured, evidence-based psychotherapy to help with substance use and mental health problems. The groups help participants build skills to manage their substance use and mental health problems.
This is a 24-hour program, running seven days per week. Our team provides connections and collaborative care with community programs as needed.
- Concurrent Disorders Unit: Day Program
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The Concurrent Disorders Unit Day Program is an intensive day treatment service for patients with moderate to severe, complex, and active substance (drug or alcohol) use and mental health disorders.
Our team offers stabilization, assessment, diagnostic clarification, and treatment for concurrent disorders (mental health and substance use). Most programming is group-based, using structured, evidence-based psychotherapy. All groups help participants build skills to manage their substance use and mental health problems.
The Day Program operates Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Our team provides connections and collaborative care with community programs.
If you think this program or any of our services may be right for you, the first step is to call us at +1 (613) 722-6521 ext. 6508.
- Transitional Aged Youth (TAY) Service
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The Transitional Aged Youth (TAY) Service provides community-based support to youth aged 16-25 with moderate to severe concurrent disorders (mental health and substance use problems) in addition to other significant life challenges – for example, with school, family, housing, or legal issues.
Our outpatient services are both individual and group based. They’re recovery focused, developmentally appropriate, and family inclusive.
The TAY Service works with both urban and rural agencies to service the entire Ottawa region. It also has partnerships with other programs within The Royal and with community mental health and addiction agencies for shared care, education, capacity building, and consultation.
If you’re interested in this service, please call +1 (613) 722-6521 ext. 6508.
- ORACLE Pathway for Pregnant Women
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ORACLE Pathway for Pregnant Women helps women who are pregnant and struggling with their substance use.
This program has four key partners:
- The Royal’s Substance Use and Concurrent Disorders Program
- Community Midwives
- High Risk Obstetrics Unit at The Ottawa Hospital
- Centretown Community Health Centre
These key partners, along with other community agencies, ensure that pregnant women have quick access to the support they need for their prenatal care, substance use, physical health issues, and mental health issues.
To access care or to talk to someone about options, please call +1 (613) 722-6521 ext. 6508 and identify that you are currently pregnant.
- Early Intervention Program
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The Early Intervention Program is a school-based life skills program for at-risk youth aged 12 and older in collaboration with local school boards.
We serve students with concerns related to early-onset mental health and/or substance use concerns, as well as those concerned about their family or friend’s substance use.
Students get involved in the program either through self-referral after attending an information presentation or on the recommendation of teachers, guidance counsellors, and other school professionals. Each student interested in participating in the program meets with a counsellor from The Royal for an assessment interview (parental consent is required)
Students participating in the Early Intervention Program attend weekly group sessions throughout the school year where they develop skills in assertive communication, problem solving, and stress management. Our addiction counsellors work with school guidance counsellors, social workers, and psychologists to provide continued support.
Contact your school for more information.
- Community Outreach
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An outreach worker from our program provides services to clients in shelters, community services, and at the Ottawa Withdrawal Management Centre.
How to access the Substance Use and Concurrent Disorders Program
Barrier Free Access
The Substance Use and Concurrent Disorders Program accepts self-referrals and does not require a referral from a physician or a nurse practitioner.
Are you a new client looking for services?
If you are reaching out related to concerns with use of alcohol and/or opioids, please connect with us through our Digital Front Door in the Rapid Access Addiction Medicine clinic at theroyal.accessraam.ca.
If you require more information or would like to talk to access any of our services, please call +1 (613) 722-6521 ext. 6508.
Individuals are also welcome to reach out to AccessMHA for support with navigating services for their mental health, substance use health, and/or addictions concerns.
Care Providers
Emergency Department and Community Clinicians referring patients to the Rapid Access Addiction Medicine Clinic for problematic alcohol and/or opioid use should:
- submit this referral form, and
- provide the patient with our Patient Information Sheet provided to your hospital or clinic.
Please call +1 (613) 722-6521 ext. 6508 if you need additional information.
Referral forms can be faxed to +1 (613) 715-5802
If you are a physician, nurse practitioner, or psychologist, you can help your patient access our services by completing this referral form or referrals can be submitted electronically directly from your EMR if you have been set up with Ocean eReferral.
Ocean eReferral is a regional program that offers an integrated solution at no cost for all primary care providers in Champlain with compatible EMRs (Telus PSS, QHR Accuro, and certain versions of OSCAR). Once set up, referrals can be initiated directly from the patient's chart in your EMR, launching the appropriate electronic referral form and automatically populating it with much of the appropriate information for the patient and referring clinician. For more information about eReferral, please email: contact@ereferralontarioeast.ca
If you are a physician or nurse practitioner and would like to consult with one of our clinicians, please call +1 (613) 722-6521 ext. 6508, or fax your clinical question to +1 (613) 715-5802.
