24 Hour Substance Use Help

Getting Substance Use Help Island Health

We provide care in the context of a wider network of community services and supports. Here are a few other sources of help and information.


24-Hour Vancouver Island Crisis Line:

1-888-494-3888

The Vancouver Island Crisis Line provides a supportive listening ear for people in emotional distress and connection to emergency mental health services when needed. The phone number is the same for all areas of Vancouver Island.

Crisis Chat services (6-10 nightly) www.vicrisis.ca 

Crisis Text number (6-10 nightly) 1-250-800-3806

Find community resources: Vancouver Island Crisis Line Community Resource Database


KUU-US Crisis Line

The KUU-US Crisis Line is a resource for suicide prevention for Indigenous people on Vancouver Island and in the province of British Columbia. Help is available 24 hours a day. If you are facing a crisis, call any time.

Adult Crisis Line:   250-723-4050
Youth Crisis Line:  250-723-2040
Vancouver Island and through the Province of BC:  1-800-588-8717


Other Help and Information Lines

  • BC Alcohol and Drug Referral Service: 1-800-663-1441
  • BC Mental Health and Addiction Info Line: 1-800-661-2121,  9:00 a.m.– 4:00 p.m.  Mon - Fri. Sponsored by Canadian Mental Health Association BC Division
  • HealthlinkBC: Check the HealthLinkBC or dial 8-1-1 for programs in your area.
  • AA 24-Hour Support Lines
    • Alert Bay  250-974-5522
    • Campbell River  250-287-4313
    • Comox Valley  250-338-8042
    • Cowichan Valley  866-233-5255
    • Nanaimo  250-753-7513
    • Port Alberni & West Coast  250-723-1177
    • Port Alice  250-284-3558
    • Port Hardy  250-902-6052
    • Port McNeill  250-956-4555 or 250-956-8240
    • Sointula  250-973-6047
    • Southern Gulf Islands  250-383-7744
    • Victoria  250-383-7744
  • NA 24-HOUR Support Lines
    • Campbell River 1-800-379-6652
    • Comox Valley & Strathcona 1-800-379-6652
    • Cowichan Valley 1-866-265-7333
    • Nanaimo 1-866-265-7333
    • Oceanside 1-866-265-7333
    • Port Alberni & West Coast 1-866-265-7333
    • Southern Gulf Islands 1-866-265-7333
    • Victoria 250-383-3553
  • Problem Gambling Help Line: 1-888-795-6111

Family Physicians

Family physicians provide care for many mental health and addiction issues and refer to specialized services when needed.

Find a Physician in your community.


Substance Withdrawal Information

Information about the withdrawal symptoms to expect when preparing for or when in withdrawal from one or more substances.

[Developed by Dr. Bayla Schecter, Regional Medical Advisor for Mental Health and Substance Use, Island Health. Reviewed September 2017.]


Other Online Resources

Recommended websites provide education and information on a variety of mental health and substance use issues.

Safe disposal of needles - rack card 
Safe Needles Disposal
Compassion as a guiding action

Locations

News & Events

two people playing chess

Resilience and safety grant recipients

People and organizations in communities across the Island Health region will benefit from almost $1.2 million awarded through 29 resilience and safety grants.  

Read more

Nanaimo

Centralization of walk-in mental health and substance use services in Nanaimo

Island Health is centralizing walk-in mental health and substance use (MHSU) services in Nanaimo to one location beginning March 15, 2023.

Read more

Nanaimo’s Car 54 partnership drives care and connections for people in crisis

Nanaimo’s Car 54 partnership drives care and connections for people in crisis

Enhanced services are available for people in Nanaimo experiencing mental health and/or substance use crises, thanks to Car 54 – a full-time mental health mobile program that launched in October 2022.

Read more