Experts say Regina lacks post-detox support

The Regina Detox Centre has seen more and more people striving toshake the grip of hard drugs andalcohol.

Manager TroyNeisznersays the facility is mostly keeping up with demand, but that there is a lack of supportduring the transition fromdetox to treatment.

On most days, the centre receives between ten to 15 calls from people inquiring about or booking a bed.

"Alcohol is our most common substance that they're withdrawing from. However, crystal meth is closely behind," Neiszner said.

The demand for services has increased in the last few years, he said.

The facilityhas a social detox program that has 25 individual rooms, a lounge space and programming. On average, 20 of the social beds are occupied and the remaining fivebooked.

"A few years ago, we didn't have as many beds occupied around 12 or 13 back in 2014," he said.

It also has20 beds in an area meant for a 24-hourstay.

Wait times a little longer

Neisznersaid people are staying longer about six days in the social detox and programming has increased.

One of our biggest challenges is getting somebody out of detox and into kind of a safe structured environment.- TroyNeiszner

The facilitytries to connect patients with a therapist before dischargeand use medication to combatphysical withdrawal symptoms.

"Patients now are getting a little more stable before they leave."

However,as the length of stay has risen, so have wait times.

The Regina Detox Centre has had 45 beds since it opened in 2010. When asked if that's still enough amid the increase in demand,Neiznersaid "that's a good question."

"We've been able to accommodate, I think, most of the individuals in a fairly timely manner."

Lack of immediate supportfor patients post-detox

Neisznersaid his concern is what happens once a patient leavesdetox.

"We don't have any transitional beds," he said of the detox centre, calling it their "biggest gap" and "biggest challenge."

"We can stabilize them here at detox, give them some education, but the transitional housing from detox to treatment is what is really an area that I think is still needed."

"There are a few places that offer it, but we find that's one of our biggest challenges is getting somebody out of detox and into kind of a safe structured environment."

Longtime addictions counsellor and educator Rand Teed agrees.

"There isn't a residential place to go to get out of whatever craziness that you're living in, that will help keep you safe until you get into treatment."

The Saskatchewan Health Authority says there are six transitional beds locatedat the Mtis Addictions Councilof Saskatchewan Regina Centre,and 30 more transitional bedsthroughout the province.

People often end up back in detox within a month if they aren't supported, Teedsaid.

Teed said addicts areemotionally vulnerable after detox and a relapse is likely without support.This weighs heavy upon theperson trying to recover as well as the health care system, he said.

"If you're just constantly recycling that person through detox over and over again, you're significantly increasing health care costs," he said.

"We wouldn't take somebody, put them in the hospital and half-fix a broken arm, we would keep them in services until they were able to look after themselves."

Detox is a goodstart, but it only touches the surfaces of the issues underlying addiction, he said.