Mental Health and Addictions Programs

Many people who battle with alcohol or drug addiction also suffer from mental health disorders. In some cases the addiction is used to self-treat their mental health issues. An effective form of treating addiction includes therapy that focuses on mental health issues.

Half of patients who struggle with addiction could potentially be diagnosed with a mental health disorder. This includes depression, post-traumatic stress, bipolar disorder, and different levels of anxiety-related issues like panic attacks and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

If there is a clear history of either substance abuse or mental health issues, it might be possible to determine this, but it’s often difficult to tell as both disorders could have developed together slowly over time. 

When you are actively using drugs or alcohol, your doctor cannot determine if you have a mental health disorder. This is because many drugs can cause symptoms that are similar to those of mental health issues, like anxiety or depression. Once you stop using or have stabilized on maintenance treatment, it may be possible to make a clear diagnosis.

 The following treatment options help to maintain sobriety and prevent relapse:

• Regularly consulting with a doctor. 
• Medication like antidepressants and mood stabilizers. 
• Referral to outside counselling services. 
• Referral to a psychiatrist.

Patients who are serious about staying sober and facing their mental health challenges have a higher rate of success. WIth effective counselling and medication management a patient can expect more positive treatment outcomes then without.

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.

Payment for counselling services will be discussed between the patient and counsellor.

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)