Thames Valley Addiction Services – here to help
Those suffering from addiction
or who know
someone dealing with
one can be faced with
the daunting task of trying
to figure out where to get help,
where to take the next step.
Thames Valley Addiction Services is a good place to start. They have various substance abuse programs for both adults and youth, like Back on Track for impaired driving, said Pam Hill, program manager of HeartSpace — a program that helps mothers with substance abuse problems.
Facing an addiction can be difficult; but at Addiction Services, individuals will find a welcome and nonjudgmental environment, explained Hill.
"We don't tell people what to do...(we) focus on their strengths," she said. "We don't focus on labels like 'addict' or 'alcoholic.'"
Whatever an individual's situation, Addiction Services aims to find a way to help them by giving individuals information and encouragement to make a change.
"Whatever it takes to empower people to make their own choices," said Hill. "(It's about) building an alliance with the client."
One way to alleviate fears about facing addiction is to get a rundown of what happens when you visit Addiction Services:
Come to the office, located at 200 Queens Ave., Suite 260, on Monday or Thursday afternoons when walk-ins are welcome. Bringing a support person, whether it's a parent or friend, is allowed. There will be a brief form to fill out and then a meeting with a counsellor to ensure you're in the right place. Depending on the severity of a case, an individual may be referred elsewhere.
If you are not referred somewhere else, it's likely you'll be put into an assessment group. There, individuals complete a series of self-administered standardized tools to establish how they feel about their addiction and their ability to cope with it.
Eventually you'll be given an appointment to come back for a one-on-one couselling session. Individuals can also attend Supportive Information Sessions that run Monday to Thursday mornings and Friday afternoons. These group sessions give members information about a variety of topics from depression, community resources, coping with anxiety and dealing with stress.
Thames Valley Addiction Services is a good place to start. They have various substance abuse programs for both adults and youth, like Back on Track for impaired driving, said Pam Hill, program manager of HeartSpace — a program that helps mothers with substance abuse problems.
Facing an addiction can be difficult; but at Addiction Services, individuals will find a welcome and nonjudgmental environment, explained Hill.
"We don't tell people what to do...(we) focus on their strengths," she said. "We don't focus on labels like 'addict' or 'alcoholic.'"
Whatever an individual's situation, Addiction Services aims to find a way to help them by giving individuals information and encouragement to make a change.
"Whatever it takes to empower people to make their own choices," said Hill. "(It's about) building an alliance with the client."
One way to alleviate fears about facing addiction is to get a rundown of what happens when you visit Addiction Services:
Come to the office, located at 200 Queens Ave., Suite 260, on Monday or Thursday afternoons when walk-ins are welcome. Bringing a support person, whether it's a parent or friend, is allowed. There will be a brief form to fill out and then a meeting with a counsellor to ensure you're in the right place. Depending on the severity of a case, an individual may be referred elsewhere.
If you are not referred somewhere else, it's likely you'll be put into an assessment group. There, individuals complete a series of self-administered standardized tools to establish how they feel about their addiction and their ability to cope with it.
Eventually you'll be given an appointment to come back for a one-on-one couselling session. Individuals can also attend Supportive Information Sessions that run Monday to Thursday mornings and Friday afternoons. These group sessions give members information about a variety of topics from depression, community resources, coping with anxiety and dealing with stress.
