FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Celebrating 55 Years of Service 1967 - 2022
A Commitment to Recovery. A Commitment to Quality.
A Commitment to Recovery. A Commitment to Quality.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Where is the house located?
Wayside is located in Hamilton, Ontario, at 15 Charlton Ave. West. Positioned within walking distance of St. Joseph's Hospital as well as many Hamilton based self-help groups, YMCA, coffee shops, Jackson Square Mall, and the Hamilton Public Library.
Wayside is located in Hamilton, Ontario, at 15 Charlton Ave. West. Positioned within walking distance of St. Joseph's Hospital as well as many Hamilton based self-help groups, YMCA, coffee shops, Jackson Square Mall, and the Hamilton Public Library.
What is the focus of the program?
Our goal is to provide a safe and secure environment where one can gain information to maintain a self identified goal of abstinence. Wayside utilizes a client-centred approach with aspects of motivational counselling and a goal oriented approach to allow clients to address any issues they identify. The program is based on the cognitive behavioural model:
Change how you think, change how you feel, change how you behave.
Do I need any identifications?
Yes, all clients must have a current, valid Ontario Health Card.
Do I need referrals?
Potential clients require the completion of the Ministry of Health Admission and Discharge Tools (ADAT) and/or GAIN Tools, as well as Catalyst Client Information and Admission Information pages OR the Standardized Residential Services Referral Form as found on the admissions page. This must be completed by Health Care Professionals, Industry/Employee Assistance, or other authorized agencies. Please Note: It is advised that potential clients contact the agency once they know that their referral has been placed.
Our goal is to provide a safe and secure environment where one can gain information to maintain a self identified goal of abstinence. Wayside utilizes a client-centred approach with aspects of motivational counselling and a goal oriented approach to allow clients to address any issues they identify. The program is based on the cognitive behavioural model:
Change how you think, change how you feel, change how you behave.
Do I need any identifications?
Yes, all clients must have a current, valid Ontario Health Card.
Do I need referrals?
Potential clients require the completion of the Ministry of Health Admission and Discharge Tools (ADAT) and/or GAIN Tools, as well as Catalyst Client Information and Admission Information pages OR the Standardized Residential Services Referral Form as found on the admissions page. This must be completed by Health Care Professionals, Industry/Employee Assistance, or other authorized agencies. Please Note: It is advised that potential clients contact the agency once they know that their referral has been placed.
Can I have my medications?
Most prescribed medications are approved upon admission to Wayside House and reviewed on an on going basis. Clients are requested to bring in a new written script prescription from their doctor(s) with enough refills to last the duration of the program (3 months).
Do you accept clients who take Suboxone or methadone?
We accept referrals for clients who are currently on Suboxone. Methadone referrals are welcome and reviewed on a case by case basis.
Are vitamins allowed at Wayside House?
Vitamins are allowed and will be reviewed on an individual basis. Protein powders and bars are not allowed.
All medications are made available to clients by staff. Medications are self administered.
What is the wait time for entering the house?
Once referral has been made, clients can expect an admission wait time of approximately 4 - 6 months. Admission times are assessed on an individual basis and may fluctuate. The program may require additional support documents to aid in an assessment. These may be medical or psychiatric records, prior treatment history and/or discharge summaries from previous treatment programs, and active legal work.
Is smoking permitted in residence?
Yes. While clients are encouraged to work on tobacco addiction while in the house, outdoor smoke breaks are provided according to a daily schedule. Wayside house is a registered agency, capable of providing Nicotine Replacement Therapy through the TEACH Program provided through CAMH at no cost to the client.
Do Wayside clients attend AA, NA, or CA meetings during treatment?
Clients are encouraged to attend meetings each week within the local community while living at Wayside as per treatment plans.
Can I attend my home group/meeting of my choice while at Wayside?
No. We have designated meetings that residents go to, but they are optional. In lieu of the self-help meetings, there will be an in-house programming. Clients who choose to attend meetings during their treatment at Wayside will travel to and from meetings with Wayside groups at designated times.
Most prescribed medications are approved upon admission to Wayside House and reviewed on an on going basis. Clients are requested to bring in a new written script prescription from their doctor(s) with enough refills to last the duration of the program (3 months).
Do you accept clients who take Suboxone or methadone?
We accept referrals for clients who are currently on Suboxone. Methadone referrals are welcome and reviewed on a case by case basis.
Are vitamins allowed at Wayside House?
Vitamins are allowed and will be reviewed on an individual basis. Protein powders and bars are not allowed.
All medications are made available to clients by staff. Medications are self administered.
What is the wait time for entering the house?
Once referral has been made, clients can expect an admission wait time of approximately 4 - 6 months. Admission times are assessed on an individual basis and may fluctuate. The program may require additional support documents to aid in an assessment. These may be medical or psychiatric records, prior treatment history and/or discharge summaries from previous treatment programs, and active legal work.
Is smoking permitted in residence?
Yes. While clients are encouraged to work on tobacco addiction while in the house, outdoor smoke breaks are provided according to a daily schedule. Wayside house is a registered agency, capable of providing Nicotine Replacement Therapy through the TEACH Program provided through CAMH at no cost to the client.
Do Wayside clients attend AA, NA, or CA meetings during treatment?
Clients are encouraged to attend meetings each week within the local community while living at Wayside as per treatment plans.
Can I attend my home group/meeting of my choice while at Wayside?
No. We have designated meetings that residents go to, but they are optional. In lieu of the self-help meetings, there will be an in-house programming. Clients who choose to attend meetings during their treatment at Wayside will travel to and from meetings with Wayside groups at designated times.
What should I bring with me to start the program?
Clients are encouraged to bring the following: clothing without beer/alcohol labels (including items suitable to current season), gym clothing, swimsuit and gym shoes, toiletries, a clear water bottle, slippers/shower shoes, pens/pencils and a notebook, a calling card for long distance calls, change for laundry if, and a few personal belongings to individualize bedroom space such as books, instruments, art supplies.
(Small lockers are provided though it is suggested to bring valuables at your own risk).
What belongings are prohibited?
All electronic devices (MP3 players, cell phones, laptops), non-prescribed medications, any potential weapon or property which staff deem to be inappropriate for the house.
Does Wayside accommodate special diets?
Where possible, we will make every effort to accommodate individuals with unique dietary needs.
Can I see family/friends while I am staying at Wayside?
Yes. The first 3 weekends that you are in house, visiting hours are 3pm-4:30pm on Saturdays and Sundays. After those 3 weeks, Wayside designates time on the weekends for clients to utilize as free time. Clients are also allowed personal phone calls on a daily basis, from 6pm-10pm.
Is Wayside Co-ed?
The house is not a co-ed treatment facility, Wayside provides residential treatment to men ages 18+.
Clients are encouraged to bring the following: clothing without beer/alcohol labels (including items suitable to current season), gym clothing, swimsuit and gym shoes, toiletries, a clear water bottle, slippers/shower shoes, pens/pencils and a notebook, a calling card for long distance calls, change for laundry if, and a few personal belongings to individualize bedroom space such as books, instruments, art supplies.
(Small lockers are provided though it is suggested to bring valuables at your own risk).
What belongings are prohibited?
All electronic devices (MP3 players, cell phones, laptops), non-prescribed medications, any potential weapon or property which staff deem to be inappropriate for the house.
Does Wayside accommodate special diets?
Where possible, we will make every effort to accommodate individuals with unique dietary needs.
Can I see family/friends while I am staying at Wayside?
Yes. The first 3 weekends that you are in house, visiting hours are 3pm-4:30pm on Saturdays and Sundays. After those 3 weeks, Wayside designates time on the weekends for clients to utilize as free time. Clients are also allowed personal phone calls on a daily basis, from 6pm-10pm.
Is Wayside Co-ed?
The house is not a co-ed treatment facility, Wayside provides residential treatment to men ages 18+.
