If you’re facing a wait time in accessing in-person care in your community for substance use disorder, you may ask your care provider to refer you to the Virtual Addiction Medicine (VAM) Clinic.
People use substances such as controlled and illegal drugs, cannabis, tobacco/nicotine and alcohol for different reasons, including medical purposes, religious or ceremonial purposes, personal enjoyment or to cope with stress, trauma or pain. Substance use disorder is a treatable medical condition that affects the brain and involves compulsive and continuous use despite negative impacts to a person, their family, friends and other.
VAM gives you access to a doctor over the phone who can assess your needs, and start a treatment plan that works for you. Your care will be transferred to a medical provider in your community when one becomes available.
VAM supports Interior Health Mental Health and Substance Use (MHSU) locations throughout the Interior, as well as First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) and First Nations Health Service Organizations (FNHSO) providers in the Interior.
Help is available.
If you need immediate help, visit your nearest emergency department, or call a 24-hour crisis line.
- Interior Crisis Line Network: 1-888-353-2273 or 1-800-784-2433
- KUU-US (Indigenous) Crisis Line: 1-800-588-8717
- Métis Crisis Line: 1-833-638-4722
Call 310-MHSU (6478) to connect with your local Mental Health & Substance Use location
