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.

Methadone Clinic Rules and Regulations: Take-Home Dose Safety

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Methadone Clinic Rules and Regulations: Keeping Your Take-Home Doses Safe

Methadone Clinic Rules and Regulations: Keeping Your Take-Home Doses Safe

Methadone clinic rules and regulations exist to protect patients, families, and communities. At Canadian Addiction Treatment Centres, we follow federal and provincial requirements for dispensing methadone as part of opioid use disorder treatment. That responsibility also extends to patients, who must store their take-home doses safely and securely. To learn more about how our program works, visit our methadone treatment page.

There are strict rules for methadone clinics regarding take-home medications. In the first few months, patients are only given one dose to take home. After they prove they are dedicated to getting healthy, clinics can increase the take-home dosage. Eventually, patients can take home a monthly supply.

Methadone Lock-Boxes

As more responsibility is given to patients who are winning the battle against opioid disorder, it is important that those take-home doses are kept safely locked up, away from the interested eyes and fingers of anyone who could get into the doses. This means you will need a lock box.

Each clinic will require that you bring the lock box when you receive your take-homes. You must put the take-homes into the lock box to take the medication out of the clinic. If you are at a clinic that does not require a lock box for bringing medication home, it is in your best interest to just do it on your own.

When you get your medication home, it is a good idea to put the lock box in a safe place. Whether you have children at home or you know people who are aware that you are taking methadone, you should hide that box like your life depended on it. There have been children who have taken their parents’ dosages and they have died. No parent wants to see this happen, so keeping methadone locked up safely cannot be stressed enough.

Since methadone is already controversial on its own, the last thing that the helpful treatment therapy needs is more opportunities for critics to find more faults. It also allows people to criticize those who take methadone as a therapy. But we know that the majority of people who are on a methadone treatment program are not menaces to society; in fact, they are quite the opposite.

Dangers of Methadone Misuse

Deaths do not just occur with misuses of methadone, but also with other prescription opioids like buprenorphine, naloxone, and Oxycontin. To prevent accidents, patients need appropriate education from their clinics and pharmacists. It is also important that the family members of those working to fight their addictions need to understand safety measures.

The danger with methadone is not that the high increases with taking a higher dosage; the trouble comes with the fact that methadone becomes dangerous as it creates problems with the heart rate and with breathing. The other danger with the drug is that even a minimal dose can cause respiratory distress, especially if the person who takes the dose does not have any tolerance to opioids. Respiratory distress can lead to death.

Even if you do not have children in your home, it is still a good idea to always keep your medication locked up and stowed safely away. It is better safe than sorry.

Take-Methadone Dose Safety

Here are a few rules to abide by:

Never keep the key in the lock box.
Keep the lock box out of reach of children.
Take the medication as prescribed and then put it away.
Never leave out an open bottle of methadone – even if you have to do something quickly.
Rinse out the cup that you use to drink your methadone.
Return empty bottles of methadone in the lock box. Do not just throw them away.
Do not put methadone in bottles other than their original ones.
Talk to your family about the dangers of your medication

What Happens If You Lose Your Take-Home Dose?

If your take-home methadone is lost, stolen, or damaged, contact your clinic immediately. Under methadone clinic rules and regulations in Ontario, replacement doses are generally not provided in cases of loss or theft. This policy exists to prevent diversion and protect public safety. Your care team will work with you on next steps and can discuss your options.

How Take-Home Dose Privileges Are Earned

Take-home doses are not automatic. Under Ontario’s methadone regulations, clinicians assess eligibility based on factors including urine drug screening results, attendance and engagement with the program, stability of housing and home environment, and length of time in treatment. The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) sets the standards that govern how and when take-home privileges are granted. Patients who meet these criteria may gradually move from daily dispensing to weekly or monthly take-homes.

Frequently Asked Questions About Methadone Clinic Rules and Regulations

Q: Who regulates methadone clinics in Canada?

A: Methadone treatment in Canada is regulated at both the federal and provincial levels. Health Canada oversees controlled substance licensing, while provincial colleges of physicians and surgeons, such as the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO), set clinical standards for prescribing and dispensing.

Q: Why do methadone clinics require a lock box?

A: Lock boxes are required to prevent accidental ingestion, particularly by children, and to reduce the risk of diversion. Even a small amount of methadone can be fatal to someone without opioid tolerance. Clinics are required to verify that patients have a lock box before take-home doses are dispensed.

Q: Can I travel with my methadone take-home doses?

A: Travel with methadone requires advance planning. Within Canada, you should notify your clinic before traveling, as you may need a letter from your prescriber and arrangements with a guest clinic. International travel with methadone requires additional documentation. Contact your CATC care team well in advance of any travel.

Q: What happens if I miss a dose?

A: If you miss a dose, do not double up without speaking to your clinic first. Depending on how long you have been off methadone, your tolerance may have changed and taking your usual dose could be dangerous. Contact your clinic right away for guidance.

Q: Are methadone clinic rules the same across Canada?

A: The basic federal framework is consistent, but provincial regulations and individual clinic policies may vary. In Ontario, CATC operates under CPSO guidelines. If you are transferring from a clinic in another province, your care team can help coordinate the transition.

Get Help From Canadian Addiction Treatment Centres

With patient-centered treatment, usage disorders can be stopped. At Canadian Addiction Treatment Centers, we help people struggling with addiction work their way back to a healthy, use disorder-free lifestyle. Get help today by filling out our contact form or giving us a call at 1-877-937-2282.