Looking to get into a residential addictions program in Windsor? You'll be waiting for months
CBC
The wait to get into a residential addictions program in Windsor right now is at least two months.
A residential addictions program involves someone living at a centre for weeks or months and taking part in programming to become sober. The person could be trying to quit drugs or alcohol.
SafePoint, Windsor's first drug consumption and treatment site, is focused on providing a safe space for people to use substances, while also offering treatment options if and when someone is ready.
But the city's only residential addictions programs have months-long waitlists. While there's typically a wait time for addiction services, it's something health officials say need to be addressed to better serve those looking to recover.
"We know the problem, we know the overdose stats, we can see those and they're horrifying and we've seen them across the country," said Andrea Steen, the vice-president of mental health and addictions at Hotel Dieu Grace Healthcare.
"We just need to build capacity in that area and that's what the system is telling us we need."
And it's not only the system, but the people impacted by addiction who are asking to be prioritized.
Greg, who is in recovery from opioid use, told CBC News last week that these resources need to be more urgently available.
CBC News agreed to not use Greg's last name or face as he worried about getting future job opportunities.
"After five to 10 days of detox you're sent back out there, trying to stay sober or clean, which is impossible," said Greg.
"By that three month mark, I'm back in my addiction. I forgot about that appointment, I don't care anymore ... you really can't change that, it's the drugs that take over."
And, according to a recent survey by the House of Sophrosyne, a residential addictions program for women in Windsor, 25 per cent of their clients were dissatisfied with the wait time for services.
Residential addictions programs aren't the only resource available though, there are community programs through the Canadian Mental Health Association, Narcotics Anonymous or Alcoholics Anonymous, that people can take while they wait for further care.
Anyone who wants to start treatment has to first go through Hotel Dieu's Withdrawal Management program, which has 22 beds.
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