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Live-In Treatment Program

Empowering the first phase of your recovery journey with client-centered care

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Benefits

Is Wayside House right for me?

Trauma-Informed Care

Individualized treatment plans define your program. Work towards your unique definition of recovery with one-on-one case management support.

Recovery-Focused Programming

Build abstinence skills by exploring the thoughts, feelings and behaviours that underlie your history of substance use.

Communal Living

Learn and grow with like-minded participants in a motivating therapeutic environment.

Trauma-Informed Counseling

Work your recovery with our caring and knowledgeable addiction counseling team.

Relapse Prevention Planning

Prepare for the most common relapse risks with a comprehensive transition plan.

Program Overview

Recovery is possible when compassionate care meets proven support

We empower our residents to achieve their recovery goals through a combination of group education, individual case management and peer support.

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The Four Phases of Live-In Treatment

Begin Your Recovery Journey

During the first ten days you are oriented to our program structure and guidelines, assigned a peer mentor and eased into the therapeutic environment.

  • A personalized Treatment Plan is built that will serve as your roadmap to recovery
  • Meet your Primary Counselor, acclimate to the group schedule and begin one-on-one sessions

“Wayside was there for me when no one else was and believed in me that I could change. This made me believe that I could change.”
-Client

Groups, Case Management & Peer Support

Supported by your Primary Counselor, work toward your treatment goals by participating in two evidence-based programs:

  • Helping Men Recover is a 5-week psychoeducation program that addresses issues of self, feelings, relationships, communication, sexuality, spirituality and resilience in a gender-based, trauma-informed manner
  • Exploring Trauma is a six-session program that focuses on the process of trauma and its impact on your thoughts, feelings, beliefs, values, behaviours and relationships

Protecting Your Recovery

  • Learn coping strategies to avoid the common triggers and pitfalls of early recovery
  • Explore opportunities for building positive community relationships and healthy routines for your life after the live-in program
  • Create and revise transition plan goals you identify your post-treatment priorities

Planning a Healthy Future

  • Throughout the live-in program, your comprehensive Transition Plan is developed and reviewed by our clinical staff which establishes your post-treatment priorities and support systems
  • Referrals are made to relevant addictions, healthcare, education, housing and employment services in your community to support your success
  • Learn about our Continuing Care programming and how it fits into your larger recovery maintenance plan

Our supplementary programs offer specialized care for clients enrolled in our live-in program

Program Component

Supportive Housing

Private market subsidized rental units for graduates of our live-in program whom we determine are in significant need of ongoing intensive recovery support and programming.

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Program Component

Continuing Care

Part of our “Forever Aftercare” promise, all live-in program graduates are invited to weekly in-person and virtual recovery groups facilitated by our Peer Support staff. Ongoing access to clinical staff?

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Program Component

Family Support

Family members and loved ones are invited to participate in the recovery journey via specialized education materials and collaborative treatment and transition planning sessions.

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In 2023, our live-in program helped over 100 men achieve their personal treatment goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Wait times depend on referral volume and current occupancy. On average, clients wait between 50 and 80 days to enter our program from the time we receive a complete application. Feel free to contact us directly for more up-to-date waitlist information.

  • Yes. A current, valid OHIP number is required for admission.

  • No. All referrals must be made by a qualified external agency as detailed in our admissions page.

  • Yes, with some restrictions. Clients must be on a stable dose of Opioid Replacement Therapy when entering our program and changes to this dosage are not permitted during treatment. In addition, due to the current lack of provincial standards, we cannot admit individuals on two concurrent courses of ORT: for example, methadone and Kadian simultaneously.

  • Before admission, incoming clients are required to have their prescriptions, including ORT, transferred to our partner pharmacy, the Medical Arts Pharmasave at 179 James St. S., which can be reached at (905) 522-1117. During your stay, Medical Arts will package your medication and send it to Wayside House for administration. Please note that for safety reasons we cannot administer medications that have not been approved by a doctor or prescribing agent.

  • We store your electronics in a secure place and they are only accessible on a temporary basis for appointments and other necessary activities as determined by your Primary Counselor. We limit access to electronics for safety reasons and to enable your undivided participation in the program.

  • Clients are encouraged to bring:

    • At least one week’s worth of clothing
    • Loonies and quarters for laundry
    • Toiletries
    • A clear water bottle
    • Slippers and/or shower shoes
    • Personal items, e.g. books, art supplies, puzzles, a journal or other materials for use during free time

    In addition to closet and wardrobe space, a small locker is provided to each resident

  • Regular smoking breaks are part of our daily schedule. For clients interested in quitting, Wayside House is registered to provide free Nicotine Replacement Therapy through CAMH’s TEACH program.

Still have questions?

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Certifications & Funding

Wayside House of Hamilton is funded by the Ministry of Health and the generous support of our community partners. We are a proud member of Addictions & Mental Health Ontario, an integrated system of 150 service providers across the province. We have been accredited by the Canadian Centre for Accreditation since 2016, a designation that signifies our commitment to compassionate, quality service.