As the toxic drug crisis continues, Interior Health is making it easier for individuals to access addiction medicine specialists. 

In a Sept. 4 media release, IH announced a new, virtual self-referral service for people living with alcohol or opioid use disorder to quickly and directly get help by referring themselves to the Virtual Addiction Medicine (VAM) Clinic with an online form at . Individuals can use it for themselves, but family and friends can also refer someone provided that person is aware of the action and agrees to it. 

"The toxic drug crisis continues to devastate communities around the province," Mental Health and Addictions Minister Jennifer Whiteside said in the release. "When someone struggling with addiction makes the brave decision to get help, we need to make it easy for them to get the right care they need, where and when they need it."  

Once someone requests an appointment, a clinician will contact them directly, usually within one business day, and the client is then scheduled to meet an addiction medicine specialist by phone of or video chat. The VAM team then works with the client on a treatment plan that may include prescription medications such as opioid agonist treatment (OAT). Once the client is comfortable with how their treatment is going, they'll be referred to community-based health services.

The VAM will soon be part of the regional central access line and will work with the new province-wide Opioid Treatment Access Line (1-833-804-8111) to ensure that no matter where someone is, they'll be connected to the right service for their needs. 

"Since opening almost three years ago, the Virtual Addictions Medicine Clinic has helped thousands in our region successfully overcome substance use disorder, offering opioid agonist treatment for withdrawal symptoms and medications to reduce alcohol cravings," IH president and CEO Susan Brown said. "With this change, people no longer need a referral from a physician and can contact us directly to gain faster access to these important services."

This addition, along with other work underway to increase substance use services in IH is part of the recently announced, 'made in B.C.' Road to Recovery model that establishes seamless continuum of care from detox to treatment and after care. This will ensure clients in IH can be more easily connected to services in their region, which will be especially beneficial to individuals in rural or remote communities where accessing in-person care can be challenging. 

"The intent of this new service is to get clients into care as soon as possible by removing any stigma that may be associated with accessing addiction health services in person," Debi Morris, director of the Mental Health and Substance Use network, said. "The service is also intended to remove any barriers to clients who can't easily access a physical location or centre due to distance, mobility or transportation."

The online form is simple and straightforward, and doesn't require a client address or BC Personal Health Number to request an appointment. Individuals are also given the choice on how they want to be contacted, whether it be their phone number, a friend's, a shelter's or other location. 

The VAM Clinic is available Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. throughout the IH region.