New centre for addictions care to open next week (5 photos)

The Dartmouth facility will be the first local hub for adults requiring less intensive withdrawal management support

CityNews Halifax Staff

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A new centre for addictions care will be opening in Dartmouth next week.

“This new centre will provide support to those who don’t require around-the-clock inpatient care and can safely and successfully recover from addictions while remaining at home and in their community,” said Brian Comer, the minister responsible for the Office of Addictions and Mental Health in a news release.

The facility at 45 Alderney Drive will start off offering in-person assessments, group programming, and recovery and harm reduction supports. The plan is to add on-site withdrawal support and one-on-one programming in the coming months.

It opens on Tuesday and people can pop by the centre, or call 902-425-3439 to access its supports and services. People can also call the the Mental Health and Addictions Intake Service at 1-855-922-1122.

It will also take referrals from family doctors, emergency departments and community mental health and addiction clinics.

“The recovery support centre will provide people access to timely and safe care for substance-use disorders, enhancing the service delivery model within Nova Scotia Health,” added Dr. Dave Martell, the physician lead of Nova Scotia Health’s Addictions Medicine, Mental Health and Addictions Program.

“It is our hope that this service will improve treatment access, meet people where they happen to be in their recovery journey and provide service that helps address the physical, psychological, social and spiritual issues related to substance use.”

The Alderney Drive location is temporary, with officials still looking for a permanent site.

The province plans to open another recovery centre in Halifax in the next two years, along with ones in Truro and Cape Breton.

2 : 5 A staff member prepares a bed in the withdrawal management unit at the Dartmouth Recovery Support Centrephoto provided

3 : 5 A man sits in the Dartmouth Recovery Support Centre’s group programming spacephoto provided

4 : 5 One of the clinical rooms for people experiencing mild to moderate withdrawal symptoms at the Dartmouth Recovery Support Centrephoto provided

5 : 5 The reception area of the Dartmouth Recovery Support Centrephoto provided