Addiction Services Primary Care Unit located at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney, is presently the location of three major programs for clients who have substance abuse and/or gambling problems. A staff of over 30 R.Ns, Addiction Counsellors, Clinical Therapists, Physicians, Licensed Practical Nurses as well as Secretarial support work with the clients in developing individualized treatment plans specific to their individual needs. Each of the three programs have a very different focus:

 

Detox (Primary Care Unit)

This is an 18 bed inpatient unit for clients who are encountering difficulty with substance abuse and gambling issues.  Clients are admitted and treated for a variety of addictions such as alcohol, opiate, benzodiazepine, cannabis, amphetamine etc.  The average length of stay at Detox may run from a few days to a few weeks depending on client need.  All admissions to the Detox Unit are medically assessed and placed on a specific withdrawal management protocol.  These protocols are developed by a provincial advisory group consisting of addiction specialists, nurses and physicians with representation from across the province.  Nurses at Detox receive special training in the selection and application of these protocols.  This special training are Delegated Medical Functions allowing these highly trained nurses to select the appropriate protocol for the client.

 

All clients, as they progress through Detox treatment, are administered  an Addiction Dependency Assessment identifying the impact of substance abuse on the different areas of their lives.  Through this assessment, in conjunction with the client, a Treatment Plan is established and a Discharge Plan is initiated. Clients may be referred to one or more of various treatment options available to them, including, but not limited to, Community Counselling and Treatment Services, Daytox, Methadone Maintenance Therapy, AA, N.A., Talbot House or Shalom House.

 

Detox also offers services to family members of clients admitted to Detox through a Family Education Program conducted weekly and/or as necessary by the Clinical Therapist.  The Clinical Therapist also presents a Womens’ Addiction Education Program weekly which deals with gender specific issues related to women’s addiction experience.  All clients admitted to Detox attend a 3 Day Addiction Education Program which is held weekly on the unit. There are also two AA meetings held weekly on the unit.

 

Referrals to Detox can be made directly by calling 563-2040.  Clients may self refer.  Admissions take place 7 days per week and the Detox Unit operates 24 hrs per day, 7 days per week.  Our toll free number is 1-888-291-3535