The Twenty-Eight Day Structured Treatment Program, delivered by Addiction Services since 1978, is designed for those individuals who are experiencing more severe and chronic substance misuse and gambling problems. Education, opportunities for personal reflection and recovery planning are offered in a professionally-facilitated group setting. Individuals may participate as day clients or take advantage of available residential facilities.
The program uses a psycho-educational model to provide information, opportunities for individual reflection and group-facilitator interactions to help participants examine harmful experiences with addictive substances and behaviors and to explore new coping skills. During the course of the program, participants discuss such topics as anger and stress management, nutrition, spirituality, approaches to self-help, relapse, family systems, communication and meditation while also taking a close look at the nature of dependency and addiction and the importance of a clear, well-supported recovery plan. A daily group therapy session challenges participants to address personal issues and integrate learned skills in a professionally-facilitated social setting. Throughout the program participants are offered opportunities for personal reflection and encouraged to take part in available community supports.
Addiction Services, DHAs 1, 2 & 3, is responsible for delivering the program. Addiction Services professional staff, carefully selected community professionals and experienced self-help volunteers work together to create a supportive and confidential environment for participants.
The program is located at Soldiers Memorial Hospital in Middleton, Nova Scotia. Other services, including a 24-hour Detox Unit and community-based counselling, are also delivered at this site.
The program is currently offered, on a scheduled basis, several times a year. The frequency of programs offered is related both to demand and available resources.
The Twenty-Eight Day Structured Treatment Program is not an early intervention program. Participants selected for admission usually have a lengthy history of addiction and have previously used a range of other treatment approaches, including significant work with community-based addictions professionals. Limited progress with these approaches indicates that a more intensive, group experience may be a beneficial match for such individuals.
A decision to accept a client for admission into the Twenty-Eight Day Structured Treatment Program is a collaborative process that requires agreement between the client, the referring addictions professional and the Addiction Services Primary Care Coordinator or designate.
The Twenty-Eight Day Structured Treatment Program is a publicly-funded health service available to residents of Nova Scotia. Priority consideration is given to those individuals whose needs most closely match the goals of the program and to those who reside in the area of western Nova Scotia served by Addiction Services, DHAs 1, 2 & 3.
Self-referrals are not accepted. Admission to the Twenty-Eight Day Structured Treatment Program will only be considered after Addiction Services receives a formal referral from an addictions professional. This referral must include a written assessment report as well as the professional’s reasons for recommending the program.
Admission to the program will only be considered once the referral, assessment information and reasons for recommending the program have been received in writing.* Please mail, e-mail, or fax the assessment material to the Primary Care Coordinator, Addiction Services. (See contact information below.) Assessment information must include, but is not limited to, the following:
1.
Name, address, detailed contact information, Nova Scotia health insurance number, date of birth, and next of kin 2.
History of harmful substance use/behaviors 3.
Addiction assessment, including the results of clinical investigation and any administration of tests or standardized instruments 4.
Treatment experience and outcomes 5.
Assessment of involvement with self-help and community resources 6.
Family and life situation (name of spouse/partner; names, ages, grade level/occupation of all children; assessment of family relationships and level of support available to the client) 7.
Current employment and income status 8.
Recent or pending legal issues 9.
Housing circumstances 10.
Medical/psychiatric health, including a list of all prescribed medications currently in use 11.
Identification of client’s Primary Therapist and the follow-up arrangements that will be available to the client once the Twenty-Eight Day Structured Treatment Program has been completed 12.
Referring professional’s reasons for referring the client to the Twenty-Eight Day Structured Treatment Program
*Addictions professionals who consider making a referral will usually have a comprehensive assessment on file. If this assessment includes the information noted above, a copy of the report will meet Addiction Services documentation requirements. For those who might prefer to use a form, an Assessment and Referral Form accompanies this document.
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There are no fees for this publicly-funded program.
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Shared rooms and meals are available for registered participants.
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Participants are welcome to attend programs as day clients.
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Soldiers Memorial Hospital is a totally smoke-free environment.
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Dress is casual. Please bring an adequate supply of appropriate clothing.
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All residential clients will be asked, in confidence, to identify health issues and will be responsible for managing any prescribed or other medication.
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Participants will be expected to sign a set of rules at the time of admission and to follow these rules throughout the program.
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Program activities run from Monday morning until Friday afternoon.
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Participants are expected to arrive at Soldiers Memorial Hospital between 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. on Sunday evenings and are encouraged to return home for the weekends.
