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.

Opioid Overdose Symptoms: How to Recognize & Respond

Home

Opioid Overdose Symptoms: How to Recognize an Overdose and What to Do

Opioid Overdose Symptoms: How to Recognize an Overdose and What to Do

Signs of an opioid overdose and what to do

Recognizing opioid overdose symptoms quickly can save a life. Opioids, including heroin, fentanyl, codeine, morphine, hydromorphone, oxycodone, methadone, and buprenorphine, are sometimes prescribed to treat pain but can be dangerous when misused. If someone you care about is struggling with opioid use, opioid addiction treatment is available across Canada.

In Canada, opioid overdoses and deaths are an ongoing crisis, with the number of hospitalizations and deaths steadily rising. According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, more than 55,000 apparent opioid toxicity deaths were recorded in Canada between January 2016 and September 2025. While opioid overdoses are becoming more common, learning to recognize an overdose could help you save a life.

Recognizing an Opioid Overdose

Misuse of opioids can lead to dependence, substance use disorders, and even overdose. Signs that someone may be experiencing an overdose include:

Difficulty breathing
Choking, snoring or gurgling sounds
Discoloured lips, fingernails or skin
Pinpoint (tiny) pupils or eyes are rolled back
Slow and shallow breathing, or breathing has stopped
Nausea or vomiting
Changed mental state
Unresponsive to outside stimulus
Loss of consciousness
Spasms or seizures.
Low blood pressure
Weak or erratic pulse

What to Do if You Suspect Someone Has Overdosed?

When someone overdoses on opioids, it’s important to act quickly. There are several things you can do to help:

Call 911 immediately. Explain what symptoms the individual is experiencing and follow any directions while you wait for the ambulance.
See if you can get the person to respond to sounds or to you shaking them or rubbing their sternum.
If they are not responding, administer a dose of naloxone. If no improvement after 2-3 minutes administer another dose.
If the person is breathing on their own, roll them onto their side to prevent them from choking if they vomit.
Stay with the person until emergency assistance arrives.

What Is Naloxone and How Can It Save People From Overdosing?

Naloxone (also known as Narcan®) works by binding to the same receptors in the brain as opioids, helping to stop an overdose (click to view a PDF). It’s important to keep in mind that this medication can’t fully stop an overdose — emergency medical treatment is still required. However, administering naloxone stops an opioid overdose for long enough that medical professionals have time to arrive on the scene.

In Canada, Naloxone is available without a prescription. It’s available in two forms — an injectable and the nasal spray. If a person receives one of these two forms of naloxone and then medical treatment, their chances of dying from overdose are greatly reduced.

Naloxone is safe for all ages, and only works if you have opioids in your system. It won’t harm someone if they are overdosing on drugs other than opioids. You cannot use naloxone improperly and it does not create dependence.

People who step up to help someone in an emergency situation are protected under Canada’s Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act. Under this law, anyone who calls 911 to report an overdose is protected from simple drug possession charges, encouraging people to seek help without fear of criminal consequences.

Get Naloxone Near You

What Are the Risk Factors for an Opioid Overdose?

There are many different risk factors for an opioid overdose:

Using prescription opioids without medical supervision
Taking opioids by injection
Combining opioids with alcohol or other medications like anesthetics or antidepressants
Having to take a high prescribed dosage of opioids
Reusing opioids after treatment or detoxification
Having an illness such as kidney damage or a mental health condition

Opioid Overdose Symptoms vs. Being Very High: How to Tell the Difference

It can be hard to know whether someone is very sedated or experiencing an overdose. Here’s how to tell. If a person is very high but not overdosing, they will respond to stimulation, their breathing will be slow but present and regular, and they can be roused if you rub their sternum firmly or speak loudly to them.

If someone is overdosing, opioid overdose symptoms include breathing that is very slow, shallow, or has stopped entirely, they do not respond to stimulation, their lips or fingertips may be turning blue or grey, and they make choking, gurgling, or snoring sounds. If you are unsure, treat it as an overdose. Call 911 and administer naloxone immediately. It is safer to act than to wait.

What Should You Do if You Suspect Someone Is Misusing Opioids?

If you suspect someone you know is struggling with opioids or displaying signs of Opioid Use Disorder, encourage them to seek medical and professional support. At CATC, we provide evidence-based opioid addiction treatment across Canada, including medication-assisted treatment, inpatient programs, and virtual care. Free naloxone kits are available at our clinic locations. Visit your nearest CATC location to get one today.

To learn more about how our opioid treatments could help, reach out to CATC.