Provincial Specialized Substance Use Program for Adults Referral
BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services provides leadership, expertise, and oversight to several specialized provincial programs that are delivered on a contract basis.
We have partnered with the Elizabeth Fry Society of Greater Vancouver (Sequoia at Firth Residences) and the Phoenix Society to make the Provincial Specialized Substance Use Program beds available.
Admission criteria
Treatment at Elizabeth Fry Society of Greater Vancouver (Abbotsford location) or the Phoenix Society (Surrey) is for people who are 19 or older who have a severe and high risk substance use disorder and may also have mild or stabilized mental health issues.
Services are designed for people who have experienced relapses, and whose treatment needs for substance use and addiction are more than what their local community health resources or health authority have been able to meet.
While some mental health support will be provided, the provincial specialized beds at Elizabeth Fry Society of Greater Vancouver or the Phoenix Society are not designed to treat mental health diagnoses. Treatment is voluntary.
About the Provincial Specialized Substance Use Program for Adults
The Provincial Specialized Substance Use Program offers 50 specialized addiction treatment beds to adults who need help with severe substance use.
Patients can expect structured, supportive treatment for severe substance use addiction, as well as broad support for their mild to moderate mental health challenges. The program is approximately three months long. Clients receive after-care support for up to a year following treatment.
Available services include:
- Assessment
- Stabilization
- Treatment
- Education about mental illness and substance use, including harm reduction education
- Family programs
- Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
- Mindfulness skills
- Life skills development
- Medication therapy
- 12-Step and Smart Recovery programs
- Peer support
The staff team includes counsellors, Indigenous Elders, therapists, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physicians.
Referral process
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Download the referral package
BCMHSUS Referral Package PDF1 MB -
Follow the instructions
Complete all the forms in the package.
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Submit the package
Submit the package to your local health authority liaison. Contact information is available in the referral package.
Email accessandflow@phsa.ca to learn more about the referral process.