Does CATC treat addictions to substances other than opioids?

CATC is currently focused on treating Opioid Use Disorder. That said, our patients often present addiction to opioids and other substances, i.e., alcohol, cocaine, and methamphetamine. Our expert addiction treatment specialists support them in meeting their personal recovery goals.

How do I get started on a Methadone or Buprenorphine program?

CATC offers same-day intake appointments in all our centres. We recognize that when you are ready to start your recovery journey, we need to be ready to support you. From our location page, select the location that is nearest to you and then either walk-in or call 1-877-937-2282 to start your intake virtually.

What should I expect during an intake appointment?

Our Intake appointments usually range from 60-90 minutes. Our CARE team will capture your medical history, discuss medication options, share information on how the treatment program works, and prepare for your initial assessment with an expert addiction medicine physician. You do not need a referral to start on our programs, walk-ins are welcomed. You will be asked to present your provincial health card to see a physician.

What are the costs of the program?

Our programs are usually delivered at no cost to the patient. In some cases, patients may have to pay for their medications or counseling services that are not covered by their provincial health plans. Our CARE teams will work with you to help determine the best plan to get the costs of your care covered.

How can I ensure that my personal information is kept confidential?

All client information is considered confidential. We will not release your personal health information to anyone without signed consent from you unless it is required by law.

I recently found out I was pregnant and need help; can I use Methadone to help with my withdrawal?

Methadone is a safe and effective way to manage opiate dependency during pregnancy. Treatment with Methadone prevents opioid withdraw, which can be dangerous for your baby. View our resource on Opioid Use Disorder During Pregnancy.

When can I expect to be free of my opioid addiction with treatment?

Addiction is a chronic and relapsing condition. Every patient, depending on their history and recovery goals, will take a unique recovery journey. The ultimate goal of the program is to improve our patient’s quality of life across many dimensions – including ensuring the presence of a home, a job, and a friend for those who have lost so much because of their addiction. Methadone and Buprenorphine/Naloxone (Suboxone®), when taken as prescribed, are safe and effective medications. This decision to taper off these medications should be made with your physician to ensure the best chance of success for you and prevent sudden onset withdrawal. People who are most successful at tapering off treatment, have generally been abstinent from illicit drugs for more than a year and are demonstrating a high level of functional stability, i.e., gainfully employed, presence of positive/supportive social relationships.

How often do I have to come to the treatment centre?

Your visit frequency will change as your stability increases. In early recovery, you will see your doctor 1-2 times a week to get your dose adjusted and you will see your pharmacist daily for the first 2-3 months. As your drug use declines, you will see your physician less – usually 1 time per month and visit your pharmacist 2-4 times per month. CATC offers integrated medical and pharmacy services, so there is no need to visit multiple locations.

When can I get my medications to take at home?

Once you have been on the program for 4-8 weeks you may be eligible for take-home doses. You will start with one dose, and as you gain stability these will increase. There are clinical guidelines that our physicians follow to determine take-home eligibility; physicians also utilize their clinical judgment based on your specific situation.

How often do I have to complete a urine drug screen during treatment?

Frequency of Urine Drug Screens also changes as you become more and more stable. In the first few months of treatment, you will be required to produce a urine sample 1-2 times per week to help the physician understand your use patterns. We also use urine drug screens to ensure that you are taking the medication that is being prescribed, as diversion of prescription medications is common. In some cases, your physician will ask for a random urine drug screen; this practice helps us identify and prevent any unsuspected medication diversion that may be occurring.

If I use drugs while on the program, am I kicked off?

Absolutely not. We recognize drug use and relapses are part of the recovery journey. It is important to remember that using other drugs while on Methadone or Buprenorphine/Naloxone (Suboxone®) can be dangerous. There have been reported deaths because of the combination of Methadone with alcohol, opioids, cocaine, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, and/or tranquilizers. If you have been prescribed or are using other medications, please disclose this to your CATC physician so they can make an informed decision on your treatment.

Do you recommend Methadone or Buprenorphine/Naloxone (Suboxone®)?

The best medication for you is based on many factors and the decision should be made with advice from your physician. Both medications have their pros and cons and there is emerging evidence that medication choice should be influenced by the amount and type of opiates that are being used. In a recent survey of our patients, 67% of those who had tried both medications said Methadone worked best for them. This is consistent with data reported from other countries. Because CATC offers several medication types, you can always transition between medication types to see what works for you. Have a specific question? Please call us at 1-877-937-2282 or email info@canatc.ca.

Help With Drug Addiction When Pregnant

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Help With Drug Addiction When Pregnant: Compassionate, Confidential Care

Help With Drug Addiction When Pregnant: Compassionate, Confidential Care

You Are Not Alone, and Help Exists

Finding out you’re pregnant while using substances can bring overwhelming emotions, including fear, guilt, worry about your baby’s health, and uncertainty about what to do next. If you’re reading this, you’ve already taken a meaningful first step by seeking information.

You’re not alone in this. Many pregnant women across Canada face substance use challenges each year, often in silence. Many wait to seek help because they fear judgment, worry about legal consequences, or simply don’t know where to turn. You deserve support that meets you with dignity and clarity, not shame, not pressure, just compassionate care focused on keeping you and your baby safe.

Pregnancy doesn’t pause addiction, and addiction doesn’t pause for pregnancy. But with the right support, you can protect your health and give your baby the best possible start. Treatment during pregnancy isn’t just safe. For many people, it’s essential for both mother and baby.

This guide covers why specialized care matters for pregnant women, what safe treatment looks like during pregnancy, how to protect your privacy and rights, and real steps you can take today.

Whatever brought you here, confidential and judgment-free help exists. Your courage in seeking information shows your love for your child. If you need to talk, our intake team is available 24 hours a day. Contact CATC whenever you’re ready.

Why Specialized Help Matters for You and Your Baby

When you’re pregnant and using substances, the stakes can feel impossibly high. Every day brings new worries. These fears are valid, and they’re exactly why specialized prenatal addiction care exists.

Without treatment, substance use during pregnancy can lead to serious complications for both mother and baby, including preterm birth and low birth weight, stillbirth, neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) where babies experience withdrawal after birth, maternal health complications including overdose risk, and disrupted prenatal care when mothers avoid appointments out of fear.

Treatment significantly improves outcomes. Women who receive integrated prenatal and addiction care tend to have healthier pregnancies, attend more prenatal visits, and deliver babies with fewer complications. The gap between those who need help and those who receive it remains wide, with stigma and fear creating particularly high barriers for pregnant women. Many skip prenatal appointments entirely, worried about judgment from healthcare providers.

This is why specialized programs matter. They understand your unique needs as an expectant mother, know how to keep you and your baby safe while addressing addiction with evidence-based care, and treat you as a whole person deserving of respect.

Our Integrated Prenatal Addiction Care Process

Integrated care means you don’t have to choose between addiction treatment and prenatal care. You get both, coordinated by a team that understands how to keep you and your baby safe. This approach addresses all aspects of your health: physical, mental, and emotional.

At CATC, our specialized prenatal program brings together addiction specialists, maternal health experts, counsellors, and peer support workers. Everyone works as one team with one goal: helping you build a healthy foundation for you and your baby.

Integrated care includes coordinated appointments that address both prenatal health and substance use, medication management that is safe for pregnancy, mental health support for anxiety, depression, or trauma, social services including housing assistance and benefits navigation, family counselling to strengthen your support system, and postpartum planning that extends well beyond delivery.

Step 1: Confidential Intake and Priority Admission

Your journey begins with a confidential conversation. Our intake specialists understand the courage it takes to reach out. They’ll listen without judgment, answer your questions honestly, and help you understand your options. As a pregnant person, you receive priority admission to our programs. We can often arrange admission within 24 hours because we know that when you’re ready for help, waiting isn’t safe. Our 24-hour support line means someone is always available when you need to talk.

Step 2: Comprehensive Maternal and Fetal Assessment

Once you’re with us, our medical team conducts a thorough and gentle assessment of your health and your baby’s well-being. This includes prenatal screening, reviewing your substance use history, and understanding any other health concerns. We also assess your personal situation, including your support system, living arrangements, and any concerns you have about seeking treatment. This helps us create a care plan that fits your life, not just your medical needs.

Step 3: Evidence-Based Treatment Planning

Your treatment plan is uniquely yours, built on proven approaches that protect both you and your baby. For opioid use, this often means medication-assisted therapy with methadone or buprenorphine. These medications prevent dangerous withdrawal while keeping your pregnancy stable. Beyond medication, your plan includes individual counselling, group support, and practical life skills. We address underlying trauma, mental health concerns, and the real-world challenges that make recovery harder. Throughout treatment, our maternal-fetal medicine specialists closely monitor your pregnancy.

Step 4: Ongoing Prenatal, Postpartum and Relapse Prevention Support

Recovery doesn’t end at delivery. The postpartum period often requires even more support. Our program extends through pregnancy and beyond, helping you navigate the challenges of early parenthood while maintaining your recovery. Postpartum support includes mental health specialists trained in postpartum care, peer mentors who have successfully navigated recovery as new mothers, lactation support, and coordination with your baby’s pediatrician for any special needs. We help you create a relapse prevention plan that accounts for the realities of newborn care.

Safe Treatment Options During Pregnancy

One of the biggest fears pregnant women face is whether treatment itself might harm their baby. Evidence-based addiction treatment during pregnancy is not only safe, but it is also significantly safer than continued substance use or attempting to quit without medical support.

For opioid addiction, clinical guidelines in Canada recommend opioid agonist therapy rather than withdrawal. According to SOGC guidelines, published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada, methadone and buprenorphine are the recommended first-line treatments for opioid use disorder during pregnancy. These medications prevent dangerous withdrawal symptoms that could trigger miscarriage or preterm labour, reduce cravings and the risk of relapse, and have a well-established safety profile in pregnancy. Attempting to stop opioids abruptly during pregnancy is not recommended. The physical stress of withdrawal can be harmful to your baby, and abrupt cessation carries a significant risk of relapse and overdose.

For alcohol and benzodiazepines, medical detox under close supervision is essential. These substances can cause life-threatening withdrawal, including seizures. Our medical team manages detox with medications that keep you stable while protecting your pregnancy, with 24-hour monitoring during this critical phase.

For stimulants, cannabis, and tobacco, treatment focuses on behavioural support and harm reduction. While these don’t require medical detox, quitting still benefits from professional support. We provide counselling, coping strategies, and support through the process.

If you’re using multiple substances, our integrated approach addresses them all at once. We understand that substance use rarely happens in isolation, and there is often pain underneath that needs healing too.

Protecting Your Privacy and Legal Rights

Fear of legal consequences keeps many pregnant women from seeking help. You might worry that admitting substance use will trigger child services involvement, criminal charges, or loss of custody. These fears, while completely understandable, often prevent women from getting care that could protect both them and their babies.

In Canada, your health information is protected under the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA) in Ontario and equivalent legislation in other provinces. Your treatment records cannot be shared with employers, family members, or anyone else without your written consent.

In Canada, while child welfare laws vary by province, seeking treatment is generally viewed as a protective factor, evidence that you’re taking active steps to ensure your child’s safety. Being proactive about getting help tends to support rather than threaten parental rights. Our program takes confidentiality seriously: all treatment records are protected under privacy legislation, we never share information without your written permission, our staff is trained in trauma-informed and non-judgmental care, and we can advocate for you if child welfare services become involved.

If you’re worried about existing children, know that seeking treatment often helps preserve families. We can connect you with legal resources and advocacy support if needed.

What to Expect for Your Baby

Your baby’s well-being is likely your biggest concern, and we want you to know exactly what to expect. With proper treatment during pregnancy, most babies do very well.

If your baby experiences neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), our specialized nursery team is ready. NAS occurs when babies exposed to certain substances in utero experience withdrawal after birth. Symptoms may include irritability, feeding difficulties, or disrupted sleep. Babies whose mothers received treatment tend to have milder symptoms than those exposed to active drug use throughout pregnancy. Medical staff know exactly how to keep your baby comfortable, and most babies with NAS are able to go home within a few weeks.

Breastfeeding is often encouraged, even if you’re on medication-assisted treatment. Research supports breastfeeding as a way to reduce NAS symptoms and strengthen bonding. Your care team will guide you on the safest approach for your specific situation.

Your baby will receive additional monitoring and assessments by specialists trained in caring for substance-exposed newborns. Your commitment to treatment is already protecting your child.

Cost, Insurance and Access

Concerns about cost should not prevent you from getting help. Many programs offer provisions specifically for pregnant women, recognizing the urgency of care in this context.

Many private insurance plans include coverage for prenatal addiction treatment. Our intake team can verify your coverage and help with pre-authorization requirements. Government programs in many provinces prioritize pregnant women for publicly funded treatment. You may qualify for immediate admission to programs you couldn’t otherwise access. We work with you to explore all available options, including payment plans, sliding scale fees based on income, grant funding, and community support programs.

Financial concerns should never stand between you and the help you need. Let us help you navigate the practical aspects so you can focus on your health and your baby.

Ready for Help? Next Steps

Taking the first step toward treatment during pregnancy takes real courage. You’ve already shown that courage by reading this far.

Start with a confidential conversation. Our intake specialists are available 24 hours a day to listen, answer questions, and help you understand your options. There’s no pressure and no judgment. When you call, we’ll discuss your current situation and immediate safety needs, treatment options that fit your circumstances, insurance coverage and financial resources, how quickly we can support you, and what to expect in the first days of treatment.

If you’re not ready to call yet, that’s okay. Consider talking to your prenatal care provider, a trusted friend, or a family member who can support you. Sometimes saying “I need help” out loud to someone you trust is the first step toward change.

Seeking help is an act of love, for yourself and your baby. You’re not just choosing treatment. You’re choosing a healthier future for both of you.

Call or schedule a confidential call at a time that works for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I stop using substances on my own while pregnant?
For opioids, alcohol, and benzodiazepines, stopping abruptly without medical supervision is not recommended during pregnancy. Withdrawal from these substances can be physically dangerous for both you and your baby. According to SOGC clinical guidelines, opioid agonist therapy is the recommended approach during pregnancy, not supervised withdrawal. Always speak with a medical professional before making any changes to your substance use while pregnant.

Will I lose custody of my baby if I admit I’m using substances?
Seeking prenatal treatment generally demonstrates your commitment to your baby’s health and can support parental rights rather than threaten them. Being proactive about getting help shows responsibility and care for your child. Your health information is protected by provincial privacy legislation, and seeking treatment is viewed by many courts and child welfare agencies as a positive protective step.

Are methadone and buprenorphine safe during pregnancy?
Yes. Both medications are recommended by the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada for the treatment of opioid use disorder during pregnancy. These medications prevent dangerous withdrawal, reduce cravings, and support a stable pregnancy. Babies exposed to these medications may experience mild withdrawal symptoms after birth, but outcomes are significantly better than with continued unmanaged opioid use.

What if I’m using more than one substance?
Integrated programs are designed to address polysubstance use with coordinated medical and behavioural care tailored to your specific situation. The most important thing is being honest about everything you’re using so we can keep you and your baby as safe as possible.

Can I breastfeed while on medication-assisted treatment?
In most cases, breastfeeding is not only safe but encouraged. Small amounts of methadone or buprenorphine in breast milk are considered safe and may help ease your baby’s transition. Breastfeeding also supports bonding and provides health benefits for your baby. Your care team will guide you on the best approach for your specific situation.

What happens after delivery?
Support continues well beyond delivery. You’ll receive postpartum checkups, ongoing addiction counselling, relapse prevention support, and parenting resources. We help coordinate with your baby’s pediatrician and connect you with peer mentors who have navigated early recovery as new mothers. The postpartum period brings new challenges, and we’re here for all of them.

How much does treatment cost?
Costs vary by insurance coverage and program. Our intake team will verify your benefits and explore all payment options with you. Many insurance plans cover prenatal addiction treatment. We also offer payment plans and can help you access additional funding where available. Financial concerns should never prevent you from getting the help you need.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please speak with qualified healthcare professionals for personalized guidance about your specific situation. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.