Addiction Services at Cornwall Hospital are Empowering Recovery
2024-02-17
Written by President & CEO Jeanette Despatie
Published in the Cornwall Standard-Freeholder on Saturday, February 17, 2024.
Addiction Services at Cornwall
Community Hospital (CCH) offers a diverse range of specialized, community-based
programs for individuals aged 12 and older, addressing substance use health,
addiction, and problem gambling. Delivered by multidisciplinary teams, these
programs are tailored to each individual's unique needs and preferences,
accommodating both harm reduction and abstinence-based approaches.
The Substance Use Community
Treatment Program provides comprehensive individual sessions covering
assessment, therapy, referral, follow-up, and relapse prevention. Similarly,
the Problem Gambling Program offers specialized interventions to empower individuals
to regain control over their lives. For those facing recurrent treatment
episodes and housing instability, the Supportive Housing Program offers
intensive case management and vital assistance in securing safe housing.
Recognizing the unique challenges
of pregnant and parenting women, the Mother Connections Program provides
intensive case management to support healthy outcomes for both mother and
child. Additionally, the Specialized Opioid Treatment Program focuses on
increasing access to services for individuals and families grappling with
opioid addictions, emphasizing a client-centered approach.
Beyond individual care, Addiction
Services at CCH extends support to caregivers and family members concerned
about the substance use of a loved one, offering individual counseling sessions
and family education and support groups to share experiences. Additionally,
individual counseling sessions are available for youth aged 12 and above
struggling with video gaming and internet misuse.
The St. Denis Centre is a 16-bed
residential addictions treatment facility for men operated by the hospital. It
offers intensive case management, including counseling and psychotherapy,
treatment planning, group sessions, and referrals. Treatment plans are
personalized, focusing on life skills, recreation, recovery enhancement, and
relapse prevention, with an average stay of four to six months. Due to limited
capacity and the need for upgrades, the hospital has applied for provincial
funding to replace the existing century-old facility.
Chris is celebrating a remarkable
10 months of sobriety following his six-month stay at the St. Denis Centre. His
journey with addiction began in his teenage years, leading him to explore
various therapies and treatments. Reflecting on his experience, Chris
highlighted the profound impact the dedicated staff at the St. Denis Centre had
in his recovery journey.
“The staff have been pretty
amazing. That’s the thing that stands out to me," he shared. "There
is just this really amazing human connection. While the programming is great,
it’s the staff that truly make a difference.” Despite facing moments of doubt
and vulnerability, Chris found solace in their unwavering support and
compassion. "I thought I was going to do something really stupid and get
kicked out for it, but just having people there who understood and made my
concerns feel valid was amazingly helpful."
Chris wants others who are
struggling with substance use disorders to know that recovery is within reach,
no matter the challenges. For Chris, those challenges have included overdoses
and various attempts at sobriety over the years. Currently residing in
transitional housing as he continues his recovery journey, Chris hopes that
sharing his experience and support for addiction programs will help others take
their first or next steps.
"Keep trying. I’ve gone
through this since my first day when I was 19 and I started to convince myself
that maybe it wasn’t possible or maybe I didn’t even want recovery," he
explained. "I know rehab can seem overwhelming, especially if you’re going
to be gone 3 to 6 months, but if that’s all it takes to save the rest of your
life, and to actually enjoy the next 50 years, it was worth it for me. There’s
nothing that you can’t put on hold that will disappear for those 3 to 6
months."
Through Chris' inspiring journey,
it becomes evident that Addiction Services at CCH, are more than just programs
or facilities – they are lifelines for individuals seeking recovery. In 2023,
Addiction Service programs at CCH recorded over 10,000 visits, with an
additional 4,200 resident days logged at the St. Denis Centre. CCH is committed
to meeting the growing needs by enhancing access to these programs, which
includes the potential redevelopment of the St. Denis Centre.
To get connected with the right
mental health and/or addiction services in Eastern Ontario near you, including
CCH’s Addiction Services, visit www.AccessMHA.ca.