Frequently Asked Questions

Below you will find some information about the waiting period at Addiction Services. These are common questions that we are asked and the answers we offer. We hope that you find the information helpful. You will also find some activities and information about what you can do while you are waiting.

1. How many counsellors are there at ADSTV to serve Thames Valley?
2. How many people were assessed in 2008-09?
3. What was the average waiting period for ADSTV in 2008-09?
4. Why is there a waiting list?
5. Is there a wait list for every program?
6. Is there a waiting list in all the offices?
7. What should I do about "using" or "gambling" while I wait?
8. What do I do if I want to complain about Waiting?
9. What can I do while I am waiting?

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1.  How many counsellors are there at ADSTV to serve Thames Valley?

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• In the Substance Abuse Program there are six counsellors who work throughout Thames Valley to assist individuals and their families. (funded by LHIN)
• In the Heartspace program there are two counsellors to help women and their children for London. (funded by LHIN)
• In the Problem Gambling Program there are three counsellors for Thames Valley. (funded by LHIN)
• London CAReS has one counsellor in London (funded by municipality)
• Fresh Start has three counsellors for London (funded by municipality)

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2.  How many people were assessed in 2008-09?

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• ADSTV assessed 1113 individuals in four of our programs last fiscal year.

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3.  What was the average waiting period for ADSTV in 2008-09?

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• The waiting period for service depends on the program at ADSTV. There are no waiting periods for Fresh Start, London CAReS, Problem Gambling or Back on Track
• There is no wait for intake for substance abuse services and persons can wait up to three months for the next individual appointment after with their assigned counsellor. While the person is waiting they can come to group four mornings a week to gain support and attend education sessions that will assist them with changing behaviours.

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4.  Why is there a waiting list?

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Unfortunately, in some of our programs we do not have enough staff to meet with all the people who call for help. It is just a matter of not enough supply of staff to help the people who request assistance. We have seven different programs and some programs just need more staff to keep up with the requests for help. For a list of our programs, please go to the Home page and click on the program names.

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5.  Is there a wait list for every program?

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No, some of our programs do not have a waiting period. The lengthiest wait is for Substance Abuse Treatment Services. Adults are waiting the longest. We try to get youth in as quickly as we can.

Some programs have enough staff for the requirements of the community and so people do not wait very long at all.

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6.  Is there a waiting list in all the offices?

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Yes, every office outside of London where we offer Substance Abuse Assessment and Treatment Planning Services has a waiting list but the counsellors that work in offices outside London manage their own wait lists and call people in very efficiently.

There is no wait for Problem Gambling services outside London.

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7.  What should I do about "using" or "gambling" while I wait?

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In some cases you can see your doctor or go to a walk-in clinic to ask for help, there may be medication that can help. Your doctor can offer support and suggestions to help you.

You can go to the Withdrawal Management Centre at: www.centreofhope.ca or call them at (519) 432-7241 for more information. There, you can start the process of detoxification before you come in to see us or you can wait until you are seeing a counsellor and start later. You can speak to your doctor about your withdrawal needs too. If you are feeling suicidal, go to your doctor, your local emergency department or urgent care centre in the county where you live.

We do support harm reduction and if you cannot stop using because of the withdrawal symptoms you may need to continue using. Click here for more info about safer alcohol and drug use.

If you are using injection drugs or are using piercing equipment click here for information about where to get clean needles and exchange your own.

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8.  What do I do if I want to complain about Waiting?

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You can click lsibley@adstv.on.ca to email the Executive Director and your complaint will be noted and a call made to you.

Or, you can click one of the email addresses below if you wish to send a complaint to our MPP's (Members of Provincial Parliament).

Remember that they are as concerned about health care as you are!

- Oxford County:  www.erniehardemanmpp.com
- London North:  www.debmatthews.ca
- London West:  www.chrisbentley.ca
- London Fanshawe:  www.khalilramal.ca
- Elgin-Middlesex London:  www.stevepeters.ca

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9.  What can I do while I am waiting?

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There are some things that you can do to make the most of this waiting period.

Browse through to see the information this web site offers to see what information is here to help you while you're waiting.

We hope to be able to offer you an appointment soon. Email us if you have questions about waiting or need other assistance.

Sometimes callers are quite sure what they want and or need to do when they call to make an appointment. We know that they are very disappointed to hear that they have to wait. When you know what you want to do it is possible to start on your goals before you come in. You can:

1. Find out about support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous at: www.alcoholics-anonymous.org
2. Find out about support groups like Narcotics Anonymous at: www.wsoinc.com
3. Find out about virtual supports online at: www.supportnetstudios.com
4. Make an appointment to talk to your doctor.
5. Call a friend or family member to talk about your goals.
6. If you have support at work through Employee Assistance Programming, you can call or email them.
7. Check out the resources at the library, your favourite bookstore or from friends.
8. Click here for some printable goal sheets to write on.
9. Email us at intake@adstv.on.ca for telephone support.

If you are not certain about your goals, this is a time for you to start to think about why you want to make changes. This is a time to think about what changes you might want to make.

You can ask yourself:

1. Do I want to quit using all substances?
2. Do I want to quit using some substances but not all?
3. Do I want to reduce my use?
4. Do I want to learn about safer drug or alcohol use?
5. Do I just want to ask someone some questions?

Remember there are no wrong reasons to want to change. It is okay to change alcohol or drug use a little bit or a lot. It's also okay to say that you don't want to change right now but you'd like some information for when you do want to.

You are welcome at ADSTV no matter what your decisions are and you can come back again if the timing is not good for you right now.

If you think you want some information about changing your use of substances, think about the following questions:

1. How is my use of substances affecting my life?
2. How are things changing for me?
3. What has changed about me?
4. Is anyone else concerned about my use?
5. What have they been saying?
6. Am I hurting anyone by using substances?
7. If I were to change my use of substances, can I think of anything that might be better?
8. How is my health?
9. How am I doing financially? Am I spending too much money?
10. Have my other habits changed because I am using substances?
11. How have they changed?
12. What have I tried in the past and did it help?

If you would like to print the questions above so that you can write down your thoughts click here

A common screening tool that is used to see if there's cause for concern is called the CAGE - AID Questionnaire. It asks four questions about alcohol and drug use:

1. (C) Have you ever tried to cut down your consumption of alcohol or drugs?
2. (A) Do you get angry or annoyed if others suggest that you should cut down or quit?
3. (G) Do you ever feel guilty about your use?
4. (E) Have you ever had an eye-opener? (a drink or drug later to help with the withdrawal symptoms or hangover).

When you ask yourself the CAGE-AID questions you can think about your answers and your reaction to the questions. The four questions can help you think about what your goals are.

Another question to ask is "Does it take more (of the drug or alcohol) than it used to get the same effect?" if you answer "yes" to this you may be experiencing what is called "tolerance". Tolerance develops when you use a substance like alcohol or a drug and your get used to the effect and so you can use more of it.

Check out our links page for other supports and sources of information on the internet.

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