Withdrawal management saves lives
“How does someone describe the facility that saved their life?”
That’s how one client struggling with addiction says a referral to withdrawal management changed the course of their life.
It starts simply enough. The client was taking benzodiazepines during a long recovery from a serious burn.
“While attempting to get off this medication, I took up drinking and that’s when things spiraled out of control,” said the client. After a visit to the emergency room, the client was referred to withdrawal management.
“I am alive today because of withdrawal management in Regina.”
The SHA delivers withdrawal management services in Prince Albert, Saskatoon and Regina, providing a 24-hour safe, supportive space for clients to manage alcohol or drug withdrawal. Clients do not need a referral to access withdrawal management.
Withdrawal management in Regina includes:
- Seven to ten-day stays (or more) until physical symptoms of withdrawal have improved,
- Registered psychiatric nurses (RPNs), paramedics, and addiction counsellors on staff,
- Supervised medication management for some alcohol, opioids, or crystal methamphetamine withdrawal, and
- Recovery programming (individual and group), daily smudging, elder services, smart recovery, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA) and harm reduction sessions are offered in the withdrawal management setting.
Clients interested in continuing their recovery journey are connected to an adult outpatient counsellor for one-on-one counselling, group therapy, or to complete inpatient treatment referrals.
The withdrawal management patient common area at the Addiction Treatment Centre in Regina (pictured) is used to support patient programming, meals, movies, and leisure activities.