Supporting Your Recovery from Opioid and Drug Addictions

Why choose Us.

We believe that medication is only one part of a patient's recovery and should be used in the lowest dose and for the shortest amount of time necessary.

Our Mission.

To become an integral part of a healthy East Toronto community where freedom from addiction, the recovery of lives, and the realization of dreams is available to all.

What we Do.

To provide quality care for people struggling with addiction, assisting them to live physically and emotionally fulfilling lives.

Our Comprehensive Care Program

We offer medical, psychological, practical resources for people with addictions.

Two person raising their hands facing mountain

Opioid Agonist Therapy

We prescribe medications to help people withdraw from opiates (such as heroin, fentanyl, morphine, dilaudid, codeine, oxycodone, etc.). The objectives include:

Decreasing drug overdoses, death and long-term disability.
Providing a gradual reduction in opioid requirement until abstinence is achieved.
Substituting safer prescription opioids instead of higher risk drugs from illicit sources.

Individualized Treatment

Our Doctors work with each individual patient to address their specific issues through a combination of medication and behaviour therapies. In addition to opioid substitution, safe and effective medications are available to control or stop the use of: alcohol, cocaine, cannabis, amphetamines (crystal meth), benzodiazepines (i.e. valium,clonazepam), and hallucinogens.

Cutting Edge Opioid Agonist Therapy

We are pleased to offer the newest, cutting edge OAT treatment options, including Kadian® (24-hour morphine), Sublocade® (monthly buprenorphine “Suboxone” depot injection lasting 4-6 weeks) and Probuphine® (buprenorphine “Suboxone” implant in the skin lasting 6 months).

Non-Medication Treatment

Psychotherapy and addiction counselling are offered to help address the issues underlying addiction. Psychotherapy is offered by both our Physician Psychotherapist and our Registered Social Worker. Please contact the clinic for pricing and appointment information.

Art Group

Art can help improve our physical, mental and emotional well-being while increasing awareness of ourselves and others. Our Art Group takes place weekly on Tuesdays from 12:00pm to 1:00pm. It is FREE to attend and no experience (or skill) is necessary. (Please note: All participants must be fully vaccinated and capacity limits are in effect)

Harm Reduction Supplies

Our clinic has a stock of safer drug-using supplies, including Narcan for overdose treatment. Provided by South Riverdale CHC’s Mobile Outreach program, supplies include new, sterile needles, distilled water, tourneys, cookers, safer crack stems, filters, as well as injection and smoking kits. Please inquire at our reception.

Why Methadone or Suboxone®?

Opioid agonist therapy (OAT) is an effective treatment for addiction to opioid drugs such as heroin, oxycodone, hydromorphone (Dilaudid), fentanyl and Percocet. The therapy involves taking the opioid agonists methadone (Methadose) or buprenorphine (Suboxone). These medications work to prevent withdrawal and reduce cravings for opioid drugs. People who are addicted to opioid drugs can take OAT to help stabilize their lives and to reduce the harms related to their drug use. Opiod Agonist Therapy (CAMH)

Methadone is among the most effective medications used in the first-line treatment of opioid addiction. When taken under the care of a qualified practitioner — in optimal dosage and on regular intervals — it can serve as an effective and safe treatment for opioid addiction.

Buprenorphine (“Suboxone®”) is an effective alternative to methadone in the treatment of opioid addiction, offering advantages which may be more appropriate for certain patients.

Sublocade® is a “depot” form of Suboxone® that is given once per month and is designed to control opioid withdrawal symptoms for the entire time. This is especially convenient for people unable to attend the clinic or the pharmacy too often.

Probuphine® is a buprenorphine (“Suboxone®”) implant, usually placed under the skin of the upper arm. The implant delivers a steady dose of buprenorphine for six-months, after which it may be either replaced or removed. One key benefit is eliminating the need for daily dosing at the pharmacy or at home, and thus a highly convenient OAT option.

Kadian® is a new type of morphine pill that slowly releases medication over a 24-hour period. This allows for relief of cravings and withdrawal symptoms with only daily dose.

Medication-assisted detox: for some patients no methadone or suboxone is needed at all. We offer a variety of other supportive medications to decrease the severity of your withdrawal symptoms.

Understanding that no two patients, and thus, no two treatments are identical, means that what’s best for one patient may not be best for another. We will work with you to determine the best course of treatment for your unique circumstances.

It should be noted that, unlike a traditional Methadone Clinic, we believe that these medications are only one part of a patient's recovery and should be used in the lowest dose and for the shortest amount of time necessary to help somebody get back on their feet.

Additional Resources:

Now offering Probuphine®, Sublocade® and Kadian®