New Centre for Addictions Care in North Sydney
L-R: Dr. Faisal Rahman, Head of Psychiatry, Eastern Zone, Nova Scotia Health; Corinna Simon, Manager, Inpatient Mental Health/Day Hospital, NSH; Terry Wilcox, Manager, North Sydney Recovery Support Centre; Brian Comer, Minister of Addictions and Mental Health; and Nadine Wadden, Director, Mental Health and Addictions, Eastern Zone, NSH, tour the new North Sydney Recovery Support Centre. (Communications Nova Scotia)
People looking for support with addictions and substance use in Cape Breton now have a new option.
The new outpatient North Sydney Recovery Support Centre opened today, March 19, to help people living with substance use or gambling disorders. Services include individual assessments, group programming, harm reduction therapy, withdrawal management and recovery support.
“We are committed to improving our support across the province for people living with substance use and gambling disorders,” said Brian Comer, Minister of Addictions and Mental Health. “At the recovery support centre in North Sydney, we’re able to meet people where they are with a range of supports – from needle exchange to treatment options – in a way that is easy to access and close to home.”
The centre is staffed by a multidisciplinary team, including a nurse practitioner, physician, nurse rehabilitation counsellors, community outreach workers and administrative staff.
They help people develop recovery plans, learn to cope with cravings, create relapse prevention plans and improve their health and wellness. The centre can also connect clients to other supports or services, including inpatient withdrawal management and community supports.
Quotes:
“People living with often complicated addictive disorders and their loved ones in North Sydney will benefit from the addition of a recovery support centre, an addiction care hub focused on providing skilled addiction-related support and care. The centres are designed to provide quality outpatient treatment that is accessible and less intrusive, helping people to achieve their goals while continuing to live their lives.”
— Dr. Dave Martell, Physician Lead, Addictions Medicine, Mental Health and Addictions Program, Nova Scotia Health
“We are pleased to expand care options and make them more accessible by bringing them to the North Sydney community. Our staff have worked hard to create a warm and welcoming place to meet people where they are in their recovery journey.”
— Nadine Wadden, Director, Mental Health and Addictions, Eastern Zone, Nova Scotia Health
Quick Facts:
- the new recovery support centre is located at 116 King Street, Suite 23A
- people can drop into the centre for services or make an appointment by calling 902-794-3707 or 902-794-3708, Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; hours are expected to expand as the clinical team grows
- appointments can also be made by calling the mental health and addictions intake service toll-free at 1-855-922-1122
- a referral from a healthcare provider is not required
- addictions support is available in communities across the province and there are recovery support centres in in Dartmouth, New Glasgow, Middleton, Sydney, Lunenburg, Evanston, Yarmouth and, now, North Sydney
Additional Resources:
More information on recovery support centres is available at: https://mha.nshealth.ca/en/services/recovery-support-centre
Programs and supports for mental health, wellness and addictions: https://novascotia.ca/mental-health-and-wellbeing/