Addiction Medicine Consult Team

Overview of addiction consultation services for clinicians and patients admitted to St. Paul’s Hospital.

Overview

The Addictions Medicine Consult Team (AMCT) is an interdisciplinary, referral-based consultation service. We support St. Paul’s Hospital clinicians and patients admitted to St. Paul’s Hospital with substance use issues.

We see clients with substance use disorders who are open to speaking with the AMCT. The issues we address include:

  • continuation of community OAT (opioid agonist therapy)
  • restart of OAT
  • alcohol withdrawal
  • alcohol relapse prevention
  • smoking cessation, and
  • pain in the context of active opioid use disorder.

What to expect

AMCT can provide:

  • Assessment of substance use disorder severity, stage of change, and help with addiction treatment.
  • Prescription of medications to manage cravings.
  • Motivational interviewing for meaningful discussions with the patient about their future plans for recovery and relapse prevention.
  • Helping patients manage withdrawal and treating pain so attending physicians and other staff can address the reason for admission.

Who we don’t see:

AMCT is not an admitting service. AMCT does not provide services for patients on opioid medications prescribed for pain in the absence of opioid use disorder.
 

Meet our team

The AMCT service consists of four physician-led teams (A, B, C and D).

Our interdisciplinary team includes physicians, addiction-specialized nursing, clinical pharmacy, social work and peer support.

Support for Indigenous Peoples

The Indigenous Wellness Liaison Team is here to support your health journey. Team members offer cultural support and healthcare advocacy. Learn more below or call them at 604-682-2344,62937 or email IWL@providencehealth.bc.ca.

  • Indigenous wellness services

    The Indigenous Wellness Team at Providence is available to support Indigenous patients and their families. We are here to coordinate culturally safe wellness supports and services.

Contact

Ask for AMCT, indicating Team A, B, C or D.

Hours

In-person assessment between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
7 days a week

Addiction Medicine MD phone support for substance use-related issues is available 24/7.

Medical & professional referrals

Attending St. Paul's Hospital physicians can refer to our service for expert advice on treating substance use, including:

  • Opiate withdrawal, maintenance, and replacement therapies
  • Problematic tobacco or alcohol use
  • Stimulant use
  • Helping with patient insight and readiness to change

How to reach us:

Call switchboard at 604-806-9090 to reach the MD staff on for Team A, B, C, or D.

How to consult us:

“Consult to Addiction Medicine” in Cerner.