New Recovery Support Centre Open in New Glasgow
Expanded addiction recovery supports are now available for people in Pictou County struggling with substance use and gambling addictions.
A new recovery support centre opened Monday, February 14, in Aberdeen Hospital in New Glasgow. The centre expands on the withdrawal management services that had been based in the Town of Pictou, with space to offer both inpatient and day programs.
The centre is part of the Province’s new recovery support model. It will provide on-site withdrawal support and link people to other levels of care based on their individual needs, such as opioid-use disorder treatment and community mental health and addictions programs.
“Nova Scotians struggling with addictions deserve to have access to the support and treatment options they need,” said Premier Tim Houston. “Opening the centre in Aberdeen Hospital is an important step in the right direction, and I look forward to opening more recovery support centres across the province."
On-site supports at the new centre include education, recovery and harm reduction, and individual and group recovery. Inpatient withdrawal management will be added in the coming months.
“This centre provides enhanced support to residents of Pictou County who are living with addictions,” said Brian Comer, Minister responsible for the Office of Addictions and Mental Health. “Having both inpatient and day programs will allow us to better meet the care needs of people where they are in their recovery journey and provide opportunities for those with lower intensity needs to recover while remaining at home and in their community.”
The centre is staffed by an interdisciplinary team, including nurse practitioners, physicians, nurses, social workers, peer support workers and administrative staff.
People can make an appointment for supports and services by calling the Mental Health and Addictions Intake Service at 1-855-922-1122, Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Referrals will also come through family physicians, emergency departments and community mental health and addiction clinics.
This is the second centre to open under the new recovery support model. The first opened in Dartmouth in January. In total, 10 recovery support centres will be set up across the province over the next two years. Five existing withdrawal management sites in Lunenburg, Middleton, Strait-Richmond, Sydney and Yarmouth will evolve to the recovery support model. New centres will also be set up in Truro, North Sydney and Halifax.
Quotes:
“People who have difficulty with substance use and addictive behavior have needs for support that are at times complex and time sensitive. This recovery support centre will build on our existing system of mental health and addiction care in ways that are responsive and holistic, meeting the needs of the community for some of the most vulnerable.”
– Dr. Dave Martell, Physician Lead, Addictions Medicine, Mental Health and Addictions Program, Nova Scotia Health
“We were pleased to provide funding support for a number of the centre’s carefully considered trauma-informed features. It’s clear the team has put much thought into creating a space that support the needs of those accessing care. We look forward to continuing to work with and provide sustained support to people on their path to recovery.”
– Michelle Ferris, Executive Director, Aberdeen Health Foundation
Additional Resources:
More information on recovery support centres is available at: https://mha.nshealth.ca/en/services/recovery-support-centre