In case you haven’t heard the news, The Bridge is growing again! This summer we will be adding 22 new adult beds to the Recovery & Addiction Services portfolio, 12 of which will be dedicated to withdrawal management, and 10 for transition and stabilization care.
Our current Withdrawal Management Service is licensed for 10 residents. The average length of stay varies depending on the substance, but is typically 7 to 10 days. Last year, the existing service supported more than 600 individuals in need of medically supported withdrawal from alcohol or other drugs. The wait list for Withdrawal Management varies depending on the presenting needs of the individual accessing the service, but can be as long as a month to six weeks.
There are currently no funded stabilization/ transition beds available in the community.
Today’s announcement will effectively double the availability of Withdrawal Management Services to individuals in the Okanagan. Wait times will be significantly reduced, if not eliminated.
Stabilization and transition services will allow The Bridge to continue to support and house individuals on a short term basis post-treatment and/or post-withdrawal. It will significantly improve individuals’ access to continuous care and significantly decrease the likelihood their recovery aspirations are disrupted due to gaps in service.
The Bridge’s existing Withdrawal Management Service located on Highway 33 will expand to its licensed capacity of 14 beds. In addition, The Bridge will be able to offer supported, transitional housing to 6 individuals at this site.
We will be leasing space at 480 Royal Avenue to provide withdrawal management services to 8 individuals. This site’s adjacency to the hospital makes it ideally located to provide an alternative to acute care for individuals who need medically supported substance use withdrawal. With the support of property owner, Shane Worman, the unit will be purpose-built to provide the service intended.
The Royal Avenue site will also host 4 independent apartments to house individuals in need of stabilization or transitional support.
The beds at the Highway 33 site will be ready for the expanded capacity in May 2022. Construction of the Royal Avenue site is anticipated to be concluded in July.
You can watch the announcement by Sheila Malcolmson, Minister of Mental Health & Addictions and other special guests
here.
