Addiction and Mental Health Community Program – Informational Poster

Program Details

The Addiction and Mental Health Community Program is a 12-week community-based treatment program developed by NSTN. It focuses on client recovery from concurrent mental health and substance abuse and/or other addiction related concerns. The program consists of evidence-based, best practice treatment approaches while also incorporating Indigenous cultural elements. Specifically, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) are integrated into the core program’s content. A portion of the program is inspired by the cultural teachings of the Indigenous First Nations’ Ojibway Anishinaabe and the successful Red Road to Recovery program, including opportunities to learn about Medicine Wheel and 7 Grandfather teachings. This is a unique and holistic approach to recovery based on decades of Western research blended with centuries of demonstrated Indigenous healing practices.


The Addiction and Mental Health Community Program provides an alternative for those who have commitments that may prevent them from attending a full-time in-patient treatment program (for example, working professionals, students, caregivers and those that have accessibility considerations). Individualized treatment plans are developed in partnership with every client creating a comprehensive 3-month treatment program (12-weeks of intensive program participation, plus an additional 6-weeks of aftercare support) while maintaining their existing responsibilities at home.


This program is offered either in-person, online, or through a combination of both, at the client’s discretion. In addition to the program’s core components, 8AM-8PM as needed phone/text support with a qualified clinician is available to further support clients’ recovery process. Finally, a comprehensive discharge plan will be developed with the client, and 6-weeks of aftercare support will be provided (weekly in-person/online sessions) following completion of the 12-week program. A combination of individual and group treatment formats will be provided by highly experienced and qualified clinicians with extensive experience in the treatment of mental health and addiction concerns. Additionally, having fun and participating in healthy social/recreational activities will be strongly emphasized. Having fun and finding joy in life is an important part of NSTN’s recovery approach.

 

Treatment Team

Every client will have access to a Psychiatrist/Medical Doctor (MD), an Addiction and Mental Health Specialist (AAC), and a Registered Psychotherapist (RP) or a Registered Social Worker (RSW) that will work alongside the client for the duration of the 12-week program and the 6-week aftercare component.


Additional NSTN service providers that may be accessed by clients in addition to the core program components include: (services are in addition to the core program)

  • PhD Nutritionist
  • Relationship Therapist (Registered Therapist)
  • Registered Massage Therapist (RMT)
  • Certified Personal Trainer
  • Wellness/Fitness Coach

 

Eligibility Criteria

Those who wish to participate in the Addiction and Mental Health Community Program must meet the following criteria prior to enrollment:

  • Must be at least 16 years of age
  • Must have a concurrent mental health and addiction concern (includes all substances of abuse as well as behavioral dependencies)
  • Must be able to participate in a comprehensive treatment program including group therapy participation with peers (i.e. client must be psychiatrically stable; intellectual disabilities will be assessed on a case-by-case basis)
  • Must be willing to abstain from all substances of abuse/dependent behaviors for the duration of the program
  • Must be willing to actively participate in client treatment plan
  • Must participate in all forms of individual and group therapy without being under the influence of any substance of abuse
  • If a consultation with the psychiatrist is required, a physician’s referral is required (not mandatory)
  • If in-person sessions are being utilized, all safety measures must be adhered to (i.e. COVID-19 screening)

 

Core Program Structure

Program is offered over 12-weeks with rolling admission, this is to avoid duration of client wait time, with admittance typically within 1-2 weeks of application. Individual and group therapy sessions will be conducted in-person and/or online at the discretion of each client.

NOTE: clients who require a psychiatric consultation will participate in a 75-minute scheduled appointment with the NSTN Medical Doctor for the purpose of obtaining diagnostic clarification and to provide medication recommendations (Physician referral required for psychiatric consultation – not all clients will require consultation).

While NSTN will do their best to accommodate the individual schedules of each participant, some groups are only offered online and/or at a particular time slot each week.

 

Core Program Components

  • Intake/Pre-assessment
  • Initial Assessment
  • Formulation of an individualized treatment plan
  • 2 Individual Addiction Counselling and Consultation sessions per week – totaling 24-individual counselling sessions
    • focussed on the implementation of client’s treatment plan and application of core program material
  • 1-2.5 hour Addiction and Mental Health Group (core program group therapy component) session per week – totaling 12-group therapy/counselling sessions
    • Scheduled to begin Thursday October 21st – 6:00-8:30PM (see Group Session Topic Outline)
    • Individuals may join at any time, but must commit to attending the full 12-week group run-time
  • Monday through Friday – 8AM-8PM – as needed on-call text/phone support
  • Comprehensive daily activity planning for duration of 12-week program
  • Mid-program assessment/evaluation
  • 2-family/partner support meetings (as required)
  • 12-weekly one hour CBT Group
  • 12 -weekly one hour DBT-informed Skills Group
  • 12-weekly one hour Peer Support Group
  • 12-weekly one hour Mindfulness Group
  • Development of individualized discharge and aftercare plan
  • Final assessment, evaluation, and aftercare recommendations
  • 12-Step Community Meeting attendance is strongly recommended as part of the core program
    • evidence has shown significantly better outcomes for those who have regular attendance and participation in a 12-Step community meeting/program, in addition to individualized recovery treatment plans

 

Aftercare Components

  • Support from Treatment Team with implementation of the individualized discharge plan, including:
    • 6-1 hour weekly Individual Addiction Counselling and Consultation sessions
    • 6-1 hour weekly Peer Support Group
    • 6-1 hour weekly DBT-informed Skills Group
  • Monday-Friday, from 8AM-8PM, as needed on-call text/email/phone support for 6-weeks
    following completion of the 12-week program
  • NOTE: on-going 12-Step community meeting/program attendance is strongly recommended following completion of core program

 

Program Schedule of Fees

Core Program Fees

  • Addiction and Mental Health Program – full/core program (12-weeks) plus aftercare (6-weeks) – totaling 18-weeks
    • $4,800.00
    • no interest payment plans available upon request
  • Addiction and Mental Health Group – group sessions ONLY – totaling 12-weeks
    • $840.00
    • $70 per session – client must commit to full 12-weeks of meetings, but may join anytime
    • group sessions run for approximately 2.5hrs per week

 

Additional Service Options

  • Individual Addiction Counselling and Consultation with Addiction and Mental Health Specialist (AAC)
    • $100 per session
  • Individual Registered Psychotherapist (RP)/Registered Social Worker (RSW) session
    • $140 per session
  • Individual Psychiatric or Medical Doctor consultation
    • OHIP covered – Physician’s referral required
  • 12-Week Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Group
    • OHIP covered – Physician’s referral required
  • 16-Week Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)-Informed Skills Group
    • $40 per session ($150 per module)
    • client must commit to 4-week module
  • Mindfulness Group
    • $30 per session
    • no commitment required/drop-ins welcome
  • Peer Support Group
    • only available to full core program clients
  • Aftercare individual support (6-weeks)
    • only available to full core program clients
  • After hours individual support (Monday to Friday 8AM-8PM phone/text support)
    • only available to full core program clients

 

To submit an application for enrollment, please contact NSTN for more information.

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