People who face urgent addiction and substance use-related challenges will have access to support in both Bruce and Grey Counties.
Brightshores and South Bruce Grey Health Systems are working together to expand to Rapid Access Addiction Medicine (RAAM) Clinics.
Robyn Nocilla, Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, said the RAAM clinics are a vital resource
"So addiction medicine clinics offer best practice with regards to medications, both to support abstinence or harm reduction," explained Nocilla. "Whether that be anti craving or specific withdrawal, as well as the counselling that is really important alongside of somebody in their recovery journey."
The RAAM Clinics are dedicated to serving individuals aged 16 and over who are experiencing challenges related to alcohol, opioid, or other substance use.
"And then part of that can be that either the nurse practitioner or the physician assess whether any further referrals are needed within the community, including our concurrent disorder psychiatrist, any sort of outpatient mental health counselling, or ongoing counselling regarding their addiction and then bridging with any of our partners, including CMHA," added Nocilla.
The first RAAM clinic began as a pilot project in Owen Sound in the fall of 2015, which will now operate out of the new Wellness and Recovery Centre. A new clinic has opened in Kincardine, and one will soon be available once a location is finalized in Port Elgin. There are also clinics available in Wiarton, Hanover, Durham and Dundalk. Nocilla said the clinics are needed to address a growing concern.
"Well, we are in an opioid crisis, which only got worse during the pandemic," Nocilla pointed out. "Bruce County is one of the largest for alcohol use disorder in all of Ontario. And so we saw a real surge with regard to alcohol use and problematic alcohol use. And then of course, the opioid poisoning that we're seeing with the toxic supply."
Patients will receive fast medically assisted, integrative, and client-centered care for any stage of addiction or recovery. Patients can access these clinics through referrals from emergency room doctors, social workers, family members, primary care practitioners, or through self-referral.
Amy Bowins, Manager of Mental Health Services, said the RAAM clinics offer a full scope of treatment for the patient and their family.
"To help with that we have brought on peer workers and family support workers to really work with the family because we recognize that addiction doesn't just impact the individual it impacts the family, friends and the entire community," Bowins explained. "So through our programming and watch to ensure that we offer services to everybody who's touched by addiction and mental health."
Nocilla said the success stories are the best part of her job.
"We have one individual that recently reached out to us, he started out our withdrawal management and received treatment in the form of our long acting injection," Nocilla revealed. "And since then he partnered on discharge from here with the SOS team in our area and then from there was referred back to the Rams clinic for stable injection and and he is working full time and he has his own apartment."
Mandy Dobson, Director of Clinical Support and Ambulatory Care Services for South Bruce Grey Health Centre added “We are excited to be able to partner with Brightshores to offer this important service within our communities, including the newly open clinic at our Kincardine site. We are confident that the ease of access will provide great support to individuals when they need it most.”
Naomi Vodden, Director of Mental Health at Brightshores states that “Rapid Access Addiction Medicine (RAAM) clinics provide low barrier, evidence-based addiction treatment in our communities. Brightshores is pleased to partner with SBGHC to allow more clients equitable access to quality care.”