Addiction Medicine Consult Service

Addiction Medicine Consult Service 

Purpose: The Addiction Medicine Consult Service (AMCS) supports physicians and care teams to strengthen a patient’s assessment, treatment and discharge plan when substance use may be interfering with patient care.

Patients served: AMCS provides consultation for any patient on an inpatient unit with known or suspected substance use disorder and/or who are experiencing harms due to their substance use.

Services provided: AMCS supports substance use treatment through assessment and diagnosis, symptom management (particularly for difficult withdrawal symptoms), treatment initiation during hospitalization, and linking and liaising with community-based treatment resources for discharge.

Philosophy of care: Substance use can impact each and every one of us. AMCS strives to improve health outcomes for patients who use substances by providing information, education and access to research-based treatment for substance use disorders. AMCS provides emotional support and advocacy for the patient to remain in acute care for the duration of treatment, as well as referrals to treatment, case management, community programs and opioid agonist therapy.

AMCS Locations:

South Island

  • Royal Jubilee Hospital
  • Victoria General Hospital
  • Victoria General Hospital Perinatal Addiction Services
  • Saanich Peninsula (by phone at Victoria General Hospital site)

Centre Island

  • Nanaimo General Hospital
  • West Coast General Hospital

North Island

  • Comox General Hospital
  • Campbell River Hospital

General Information on Addiction Medicine Consult Service

Referral Required?
Required
How to Get Referral

A referral is required by a general practitioner physician. 
 

Learn About

News & Events

people sitting in circle

Initiatives helping people experiencing homelessness, mental health challenges earn Island Health awards

In conjunction with Mental Health Week, Island Health is recognizing two individuals for their efforts to create meaningful change for people struggling with mental health and substance use challenges.

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