Substance Use & Concurrent Disorders Program

The Rapid Access Addiction Medicine (RAAM) Clinic offers services for people who need help with alcohol and/or opioid use. A physician's referral to access RAAM services is not required.

Services take place virtually and in person.

We can help by:

• Reviewing treatment goals.
• Providing medication for opioid and/or alcohol use disorders.
• Offering brief individual counselling.
• Connecting you to community resources.

How to access the RAAM Clinic
You do not need an appointment to attend. Check in online at theroyal.accessRAAM.ca or call (613) 722-6521 ext. 6508 during clinic hours (Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.).

The Regional Opioid Intervention Service is intended for young adults (16-29) or individuals who have been struggling with opioid use for under five years.

This service offers:

• Outpatient opioid agonist therapy and follow-up services.
• Mental health care and addiction treatment based on each individual's unique needs.
• Partnership with community organizations to help with ongoing care, including case management, counselling, and social support.

During your appointment, the clinical team will help you determine which services are best for you.

If you are struggling with opioid use, please call our RAAM Clinic at (613) 722-6521 ext. 6508 to discuss treatment options.

The Regional Opioid Intervention Service also provides training, mentorship, and ongoing consultation for primary care providers as well as mental health and addictions professionals.

If you are a physician or nurse practitioner who would like a telephone consultation, please call (613) 722-6521 ext. 6508.

The Assessment and Stabilization Unit (ASU) is a 12-bed inpatient unit at The Royal's Ottawa campus where the team provides medical withdrawal management for people who experience complicated and severe withdrawal when trying to stop using substances. People who have difficulty stabilizing on medications like methadone or suboxone in an outpatient setting are also sometimes admitted.

The Concurrent Disorders Unit (CDU) is a 12-bed inpatient unit for people living with both a mental illness and a substance use disorder.

Care is delivered by a multidisciplinary team that includes:

• addiction medicine physicians
• clinical psychologists
• a psychiatrist
• social workers
• nurses
• a recreation therapist
• a dietitian

Programming is primarily group-based and includes structured, evidence-based psychotherapy as well as recreation therapy. People may be assessed to clarify their diagnosis. Care plans are tailored to the patients’ diagnoses and goals.

This service provides the same group-based psychotherapy that people in the concurrent disorders unit receive through telehealth. This allows people to receive concurrent disorders care outside the hospital setting to build the skills they need to manage their substance use and mental health.

The Virtual Program runs Monday to Friday.

For more information, call (613) 722-6521 ext. 6508.

The Transitional Aged Youth (TAY) Service provides community-based support for youth aged 16 to 25 living with moderate to severe concurrent disorders — both a mental illness and an addiction — alongside other significant challenges, including issues with school, family, housing, or the legal system.

We offer individual and group outpatient services that are recovery-oriented, developmentally appropriate, and include families where possible.

The TAY Service works with urban and rural agencies across the Ottawa region. Through partnerships with other programs and community-based mental health and addiction services, we provide shared care, education, consultation, and capacity building.

For more information, call (613) 722-6521 ext. 6508.

The Oracle Pathway supports people who are pregnant and living with addiction.

This collaborative program brings together four key partners:

• The Royal’s SUCD Program
• Community Midwives
• The High-Risk Obstetrics Unit at The Ottawa Hospital
• Centretown Community Health Centre

These partners, along with other community agencies, provide timely access to care for addiction, mental illness, physical health needs, and prenatal support.

To access services, call (613) 722-6521 ext. 6508.

The Early Intervention Program is a school-based life skills program for youth aged 12 and older who are at risk of developing mental illness or addiction. The program is delivered in partnership with local school boards.

We support students with early signs of mental illness or addiction, as well as those affected by the substance use of a family member of friend.

Students may self-refer after attending an information session or be referred by a teacher, guidance counsellor, or other school staff. All students are assessed by a counsellor from The Royal. Parental consent is required.

Participants attend weekly group sessions throughout the school year to build communication, problem-solving, and stress management skills. The Royal's addiction counsellors work with school staff to provide continued support.

For more information, contact your school.

An outreach worker from our program provides services to individuals in shelters, community services, and at the Ottawa Withdrawal Management Centre.

Individuals can perform self-referrals through the Rapid Access Addiction Medicine (RAAM) Clinic at theroyal.accessRAAM.ca or by calling (613) 722-6521 ext. 6508 during clinic hours (Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.).

You can also reach out to AccessMHA, a centralized service that connects people with mental health care and addiction support in eastern Ontario.

Emergency department and community clinicians can refer people to the Rapid Access Addiction Medicine (RAAM) Clinic using the RAAM Clinic Referral Form. Please fax completed referral forms to (613) 715-5802.

Provide the patient with the Patient Information Sheet given to your hospital or clinic. For more information, please call (613) 722-6521 ext. 6508.

Physicians, nurse practitioners, or psychologists can refer an individual to this program using the Central Intake Referral Form. Please fax completed referral forms to the Central Intake Team at (613) 798-2976.

Referral forms can also be completed and submitted through the Ocean eReferral platform. For more information about eReferral, email contact@ereferralontarioeast.ca.

If you are a physician or nurse practitioner and would like to consult with one of our clinicians, please call (613) 722-6521 ext. 6508, or fax your clinical question to (613) 715-5802.