Rapid Access Addiction Clinic (RAAC)

RAAC IS LOCATED AT ROOM 2C-210, 2ND FLOOR, BURRARD BUILDING, ST. PAUL’S HOSPITAL.

GENERAL ENTRY IS VIA THE THURLOW PARKING LOT, PAST THE RAMP & UP THE STAIRS. WHEELCHAIR ACCESS IS THROUGH THE 2ND FLOOR HALLWAY –VIA THE BURRARD ENTRANCE AND ELEVATOR B2 (SEE MAP BELOW).

The RAAC is designed as a temporary stabilization clinic connecting patients seeking treatment for substance use disorders with evidence-based treatments in order to stabilize the patient in the short term, and subsequently transfer them to a community care provider for ongoing monitoring, support and rehabilitation.

For patients without a regular health care provider, the RAAC will assist in linking them to one.

All services are free.

Living on the Sunshine Coast and North Shore?

Find more information and a self-referral form for Lighthouse Virtual Substance Use Care below or on the VCH website

RAAC Referrals

The RAAC accepts referrals from community providers, doctors, nurses, social workers, as well as self-referrals. A Care Card is not required for referral.

Appropriate RAAC referrals include patients seeking treatment for the following substance use disorders:

  • Opioid Use Disorder
  • Alcohol Use Disorder / alcoholism
  • Benzodiazepine (benzo) dependency
  • Nicotine addiction/reliance
  • Stimulant addiction/reliance

Please fax referral forms to 604-297-9678.

Referrals can also be submitted via phone to:

  • Tel: 604-806-8867 ext. 3

Download RAAC referral form (pdf)

Care Team

Our team aims to provide a safe space where patients can get specialized addiction medicine service and care from a physician, nurse and/or social worker, as well as support from our RAAC Peers.

Our clinic’s philosophy for care and treatment include:

  • Client-centred practice
  • Trauma informed care
  • Judgement free access
  • A Healing environment

Expertise

The RAAC provides expertise in addiction medicine, including consultative advice for physicians and health care providers managing difficult substance-use related cases; field training to increase capacity for Suboxone prescribers; and scale-up of physicians’ competency in the area of addiction medicine, treatment and assessment.

For more information on what our clinic offers, please see the brochure below.

Download RAAC brochure (pdf) here

Contact

Call us:

604-806-8867

Email us:

vramos1@providencehealth.bc.ca

Visit us:

Seven days/week
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Closed 12-1 daily for Lunch
St. Paul’s Hospital (1081 Burrard Street)

Walk-ins are seen on a first come first serve basis until capacity is reached for the day. Please note that we may need to direct patients to an Emergency Department or other Community Health Clinic depending on the level of care required and/or if capacity is reached.

Location Map

RAAC map 07_2023.png

Additional Resource(s):

RAAC - Location Map 

 

Virtual resources

Lighthouse Virtual Substance Use Care

Lighthouse is a free virtual clinic that uses telephone appointments to provide medical treatment and short-term stabilization for people who use substances. Lighthouse Virtual service is currently available to those living on the Sunshine Coast, and North Shore within the Vancouver Coastal Health region.

Learn more on Vancouver Coastal Health's website:

Contact Lighthouse Virtual Substance Use Care

  • Phone: (604) 806-8223
  • Toll-free: 1 (877) 842-8884
  • Fax: (604) 681-6713

Download: Lighthouse Virtual Substance Use Care Referral Form (PDF)