Substance Use & Withdrawal Management Services

Michael Garron Hospital's (MGH) substance use and withdrawal management services operate from core foundations of trauma-informed, gender-transformative and anti-oppression philosophies. We offer a variety of programs to meet the individual needs of clients.

For clients that need immediate, low-barrier access to services, please see the Rapid Access Addiction Medicine (RAAM) Clinic information for more details.

For clients who are interested in outpatient substance use programming, please see Recovery Reimagined.

Withdrawal Management services

We operate two sites that offer withdrawal management services in East Toronto:

• Women’s Withdrawal Management Services (989 Danforth Ave.)
• Men’s Withdrawal Management Services (985 Danforth Ave.)

Individuals who identify as non-binary, two-spirit and trans are welcome at the site they feel most comfortable in.

These facilities provide compassionate and culturally competent spaces for healing and respite for individuals aged 16 and older who are in an acute state of intoxication or withdrawal from alcohol or other substances.

Both our Women’s Withdrawal Management Services and Men’s Withdrawal Management Services are open 24/7. They are open to individuals who self-refer or who are referred by a clinician or member of the community.

Referrals are accepted every day from 8 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. through Central Access for Addiction Services Toronto at 1-866-366-9513. Referrals may also come from MGH’s Emergency Department.

Our Women’s Withdrawal Management Services and Men’s Withdrawal Management Services are staffed by an interdisciplinary team of nurses, withdrawal management counsellors, social workers, a case manager from The Neighbourhood Group Community Services and others.

Many staff at the Women’s Withdrawal Management Services identify as women; many staff at the Men’s Withdrawal Management Services identify as men. This helps create a safe, welcoming space for clients.

Both sites offer a comprehensive range of services depending on client need. These services include:

• Primary care
• Counselling
• Education on the stages of withdrawal
• Assistance with non-complex medical withdrawal complications
• Psychoeducation and process groups
• Change plan coaching
• Assessments and referrals for additional treatment
• Connections to other community resources, such as housing, harm reduction services and case management

Both sites offer the following amenities:

• Crisis and house program beds
• Semi-private community rooms
• Gathering spaces for group-based programming
• Laundry services
• Quiet room and access to computers and phones
• Bathroom facilities with showers and a large bathtub

All services are BIPOC- and 2SLGBTQIA+-friendly. A knowledgeable staff member with access to information for treatment-related resources will assist the client in moving forward with their treatment goals.

Additional supports:

Breaking Free Provides 24/7 Recovery Support

Breaking Free is a free online support tool available to anyone living in Ontario. It is completely confidential and can be accessed 24/7 on any desktop, tablet or smartphone. It is available to help Ontarians aged 16 and older make changes to their substance use patterns.  

The Breaking Free program helps individuals develop coping skills and access key resources. It is easy to use, safe, confidential and available in English and French.

Register for Breaking Free: breakingfreeonline.ca

** Please include Michael Garron Hospital's service code when you sign-up. Use code: tehn21