An alcohol Home Detox program in Kamloops, launched by Interior Health this past summer, is set to expand to other substances in the future.
Home Detox, also known as withdrawal management, is used to support clients through withdrawal symptoms in the comfort of their own homes.
“It’s that medical support that comes with withdrawing from the substances, in this case in their home environment, rather than in an inpatient setting,” says Jessica Mensinger, Mental Health and Substance Use Manager in Kamloops.
While the focus is on alcohol currently, she adds that the plan is to expand the program to other substances in the future.
“I think we have the personnel in place, we just need to make sure, given it’s a new program, that we can do this safely in people’s homes, which is why you are seeing a slow start to transition to other substances.”
Interior Health says the program consists of two registered psychiatric nurses, a registered nurse as the team lead, an MHSU manager in addition to virtual addictions medicine physicians who prescribe withdrawal medications.
While Mensinger suggests virtual addiction medicines physicians are ready to support other substances, she explains after nurses complete additional education, they will have the ability to support substances other than alcohol.
“Our nurses are getting trained as nurse prescribers specifically to prescribe things like suboxone for opioid use disorders; it will help with supporting possibly the connection to the toxic drug crisis around opioids,” she said.
As for intake into the program, Mensinger says they try to make it as low-barrier as possible.
“Meaning, you do not need a doctors referral, you do not need a counseling referral You can just call our main office line at 250-377-6500, go to our website, walk through our doors, and ask to talk to somebody and we will help you through determining whether or not it’s a good fit for you,” she added.
“It really starts with that assessment and planning, and then once a person is in the program, they will be supported through their active detox, and then we support them with that relapse prevention piece, and the connection to other supports.”
Mensinger says an important aspect of the program is also ensuring there is stability.
“For an outpatient or a home detox setting, you need to have a stable home environment with a support person who can support you through the first 48, 72 hours of detox. Then our nurses/virtual addiction medicine positions would also be looking at other complicating factors.”
Once clients have successfully completed the program, the nursing staff will be involved in continuing care.
“The treatment piece happens after that physical, detox from the substance. So our nurses in the withdrawal management program would then support that person through medication-based treatments, counseling-based treatments, and facility-based treatments, added Mensinger.
Since launching in August, there have been 13 referrals to the program; four have been accepted and completed a supported alcohol withdrawal management in their home.
