Reducing barriers to care

As part of the No One Left Behind campaign, we are proud to highlight some of the ways CAMH is providing leadership in addictions by offering people new and effective treatments, and inspiring hope through innovative research.

What is the Addiction Consult Service?

The Addiction Consult Service works seamlessly and collaboratively with psychiatrists in CAMH’s Gerald Sheff & Shanitha Kachan Emergency Department (ED) to provide high-quality addiction support to people seeking care. At CAMH, the number of people visiting the ED due to amphetamine use increased by 700 per cent between 2014 and 2021. The number of young people coming to the ED for substance use disorders went up by 50 per cent between July 2022 and January 2023. It is incredibly helpful to have this specialty consult service.

What is unique about the Addiction Consult Service at CAMH?

The Addiction Consult Service is fully integrated in one location at CAMH’s Emergency Department, which enables CAMH psychiatrists, hospitalists, nurses and pharmacists to work more collaboratively and deliver the highest-quality care to people who need it most. The Addiction Consult Service team provides a unique training opportunity for psychiatry residents working at CAMH. By providing this unique addictions training experience, this service gives the next generation of mental health professionals first-hand experience in a critical area of care.