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.

What Is the Best Treatment for Drug Addiction?

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What Is the Best Treatment for Drug Addiction?

What Is the Best Treatment for Drug Addiction?

What is the best treatment for drug addiction? The honest answer is that it depends on the person. Addiction is a complex medical condition, and the most effective drug addiction treatment is one that is matched to the individual’s specific needs, circumstances, and substance use history. This guide walks through the evidence-based approaches that consistently produce strong outcomes.

Why Finding the Right Treatment Matters Initially Concerns

According to the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction, about 21% of Canadians will meet the criteria for addiction at some point in their lives. Effective treatment exists, but finding the right approach for each person remains a genuine challenge. There is no single best treatment for every situation, and that’s exactly why individualized, evidence-based care matters.

With ongoing advances in addiction medicine and research, the evidence base for what works has grown significantly. The key question is not which single treatment is best, but which combination of approaches fits the person seeking help.

Evidence-Based Treatment Approaches

Evidence-based treatments are approaches supported by clinical research and proven outcomes. Among the most well-established is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), which helps people identify and change the thought patterns and behaviours that drive substance use. Other evidence-based approaches include Motivational Interviewing, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), trauma-informed care, and Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) using Health Canada-approved medications like methadone, buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone), and Sublocade. High-quality treatment centres apply these approaches with clinical expertise and adjust them based on individual progress.

Individualized Treatment

The protocols and approaches for this type of treatment method have been proven successful. Individualized treatment tailors the care plan to the unique needs of each person, taking into account family circumstances, mental health history, work and social conditions, and the specific substance involved. These needs are typically identified during an initial clinical assessment and adjusted as treatment progresses. Effective programs extend individualized care through to aftercare and recovery maintenance, not just the initial program period.

One-on-One Psychotherapy

This type of treatment is seen to improve the chances of success of residential treatment methods. Trained clinicians rely on at least two psychotherapy sessions each week to get the desired results. As research works have shown the inclusion of psychotherapy in the treatment process allows for a supportive relationship that assists in working through the causes of the addiction. Individual therapy provides a space to explore the underlying causes of substance use, including circumstances that have contributed to it over time. This depth of work supports more sustainable, long-term recovery.

The Stages of Change

The goal of this model is to understand and predict the potential changes in therapy. Developed by Dr. James Prochaska, it establishes that changes can occur in a predictable way and understanding the stages that it goes through will bring about an effective treatment. The process of the treatment will be based on the analysis and overcoming of obstacles to the change.

Integrated, Holistic Treatment

As you have already seen, there are many varied approaches on implementing addiction treatments. Divergent stages and methods including techniques can widely vary. The bottom line is that effective treatment should be delivered by competent, licensed staff, address the whole person rather than just the substance use, and be individualized rather than generic.

These addiction treatment best practices will result in an effective recovery and rehabilitation procedure. Combine these with research-based approaches and you will be able to understand the causes of the addiction that will pave the way to identifying the proper course of treatment.

Treatment centres work as multidisciplinary teams to identify the underlying causes of addiction and develop the most effective care plan for each person. Ongoing monitoring and adjustment of that plan are part of what distinguishes high-quality, individualized care.

Get Help From Canadian Addiction Treatment Centres

CATC offers evidence-based addiction treatment across Canada, including outpatient programs, inpatient residential care, and a virtual treatment program. Our intake team is available 24 hours a day to help you understand which option is the right fit for your situation. Call 1-877-937-2282 or speak with our intake team online.