Alcohol Addiction Treatment Program

The decision to stop alcohol abuse can be a daunting one. By consulting with a medical professional, recovery is both achievable and sustainable. It’s essential to have a sound support system to guide you on your road to recovery.

Chronic, excessive alcohol use can create numerous health issues, neurological impairment and social problems that include but are not limited to:

• Mental Health issues include depression, anxiety, and thoughts of suicide
• Cardiovascular issues including atrial fibrillation and hypertension
• Injuries such as falls and motor vehicle accidents 
• Increased risk of a number of cancers including liver, esophagus, colon and breast
• Liver cirrhosis and failure
• Increased risk of pregnancy complications and fetal malformations
• Daily functional impairment leading to personal and/or financial loss

Most of these can be avoided if treatment is started early enough. 

An alcoholic has strong cravings for alcohol which can feel similar to the need for food or water.  Most alcoholics need outside support to recover from their disease. With support and treatment many alcoholics are able to stop drinking and live healthy, happy lives.

Some signs of an alcohol use disorder (AUD) that requires treatment includes:

• Decreased sense of responsibility financially, personally or within the family
• Drinking at all times of the day or inappropriate time, as well as situations
• Concerns expressed from family or friends regarding drinking habits
• Disruption of daily activities – including work concerns or social responsibilities
• Drinking with little regard for potential consequences (drinking while driving)
• High levels of anxiety when alcohol is not present or available

The first step to recovery is to consult with one of our doctors. A necessary assessment will be done to better understand your addiction to alcohol. During this assessment, screening tools or checklists are used to gather more information about your current situation. 

Some questions might include:

• How much, and how often do you use alcohol?
• Is it hard for you to stop using alcohol?
• Do you experience any withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, tremors, or poor sleep when you try to stop using?
• Does your use of alcohol negatively affect your life?

When it comes to treatment, there are many options to choose from. The best way to decide is to consult with one of our experienced doctors. It can depend on how serious your addiction is and on your physical and mental health.

Therapy and counselling is the primary treatment for alcohol addiction. Types of therapy include individual, couples, family, and group counselling sessions. You will most likely start with a one-on-one session with a therapist or counsellor, and receive information about possible symptoms, social skills training, and planning your treatment.

Prescribed medication can also help to treat alcohol use disorder (AUD):

• Disulfiram makes the body extremely sensitive to alcohol, which can cause an unpleasant reaction when used with alcohol.  It is NOT covered by ODB and requires you to abstain from alcohol use for a few days prior to starting it.
• Naltrexone stops cravings for alcohol. You cannot take it if pregnant or taking opioids.  It is covered by ODB.
• Acamprosate is an anti-craving medication that relieves post-acute symptoms of withdrawal.  It requires you to be ABSTINENT from alcohol for a few days before taking it.  You cannot take it if pregnant or have kidney problems.  It is covered by ODB.
• Topiramate is an anti-craving medication that works by making drinking less pleasurable.  You DO NOT have to stop drinking before starting it.  It is covered by ODB.
• Gabapentin is an anti-craving medication that relieves withdrawal symptoms.  You should NOT take it if you are using benzodiazepines or opioids.  It is covered by ODB.

Clinic visits with the doctor are fully paid for if you have a valid OHIP card.

In general, costs of medications may be covered under government plans such as Ontario Drug Benefits (ODB) or Non-Insured Health Benefits (NHIB), a private medical plan, or Trillium Drug Plan (TDP). Your pharmacist may try to assist you if you are having difficulty with payment.

Set up an intake appointment by contacting us by telephone or on-line as shown below. You can also drop by a RTR clinic and present your OHIP card. An initial appointment will be scheduled as soon as possible.

To become a patient you must:

• Be 18 years of age or older
• Have valid photo identification,including a valid OHIP number
• Opioid use disorder evidence must be present as per DSM-V criteria
• Agree to follow program policies & procedures
• Give full consent prior to starting medication assisted treatment (to be agreed upon and signed by the patient)