- Can I just drop off my loved one at MRTC for treatment
- Is MRTC a detox centre?
- How soon can I get in after MRTC receives my referral
- What is the policy regarding prescription and over the counter drugs and supplements?
- Does MRTC cover my prescription medication?
- I hear MRTC is based on harm reduction. Does that mean I can continue to use and drink while at MRTC?
- How much does treatment cost?
- Will I have any free time?
- Can I bring my car
- When are visiting hours?
- How much money will I require?
- What recreational facilities are available?
- If I leave before 4 weeks can I still complete the program?
- Can I make and receive phone calls or send letters?
- Do I need to attend every day?
- What personal items should I bring?
- Can I bring my cell phone?
- Can I bring other electronic devices?
- I have no place to go after treatment. Does MRTC find housing for me?
1) Can I just drop off my loved one at MRTC for treatment? [top]
Prior to admission, clients must be referred by an authorized Mental Health and Substance Use Clinician to the Fraser Health – Referral Coordination Service (RCS) and the referral must be approved prior to an admission date being given.
2) Is MRTC a detox centre? [top]
No, MRTC is not a detox centre. MRTC is an intensive bed-based treatment program. In order to fully benefit from our program, we ask that all clients be clear from illicit substances for a period of at least one week before entering treatment. If you require assistance with detox, please contact your local Mental Health and Substance Use office for the nearest detox centre.
3) How soon can I get in after MRTC receives my referral? [top]
Treatment wait times can vary. All referrals are received by MRTC from Referral Coordination Service (RCS) and are put in priority sequence. Referrals are reviewed for clinical and medical appropriateness for the MRTC program. Missing or unclear information will result in a delay in processing the referral. Please note that some applicants may not be appropriate for the MRTC program.
4) What is the policy regarding prescription and over the counter drugs and supplements? [top]
Please do not bring any prescription or over-the-counter medications, vitamins, or supplements to MRTC unless directed by staff to do so. Any medications you bring will be collected at intake, and returned to you upon discharge. We will order medications from our pharmacy upon your arrival and dispense them to you.
As part of your referral package your doctor will have supplied MRTC with a written prescription for any current medications that you will require during your stay. This list will be reviewed by our medical team prior to your referral being approved.
5) Does MRTC cover my prescription medication? [top]
No, MRTC does not cover client prescription medication. Please ensure that prescription medication coverage is secured by self-paying, Ministry of Social Development, private insurance (i.e. Blue Cross, Great West Life, etc), or PharmaCare.(Ex. Plan G or Special Authority)
6) I hear MRTC is based on harm reduction. Does that mean I can continue to use and drink while at MRTC? [top]
No, MRTC is not a harm reduction facility. Abstinence is a requirement and expectation for participation at MRTC. Some of our practices are informed by harm reduction principles however, continued substance use is not supported at MRTC and may lead to MRTC withdrawing services.
7) How much does treatment cost? [top]
Fraser Health does provide some core funding to MRTC, however, each client is charged a treatment fee. Please call the Centre to inquire about treatment fees. Subsidies may be available.
Funding must be in place through one of the following prior to admission:
-
-
- Self-payment
- Employer
- Ministry of Social Development
- Substance Use Services
-
8) Will I have any free time? [top]
Yes, the program is structured and occupies a major portion of each day. There are, however, daily periods of free time where you are encouraged to enjoy leisure activities and integrate your treatment developments. In the latter weeks of your program, extended time away from the centre (including overnight) can be supported on the weekends.
9) Can I bring my car? [top]
You are strongly encouraged not to bring a vehicle to MRTC. There is no client parking available, and MRTC takes no responsibility for the security or use of automobiles while you are in the treatment program. Additionally, street parking is time limited and there is regular enforcement officials issuing tickets.
10) When are visiting hours? [top]
Currently, due to COVID-19 restrictions, visitors are not allowed on property. However, clients and their visitors may visit off property at their discretion.
These restrictions may change as Provincial Public Health Orders are updated.
Essential visitors may be permitted on MRTC property, on a case-by-case basis. Please call MRTC reception to clarify – 604-467-3471.
11) How much money will I require? [top]
Clients will need their own money for doing laundry, using the provided phones, accessing the local recreation facilities and purchasing such items as toiletries, snacks (purchased and consumed off site) or other incidentals. The Maple Ridge Leisure Centre offers MRTC clients passes at a discounted rate. Please contact MRTC for the current cost. Client’s not receiving third-party prescription medication coverage will need to pay for their own prescription medication while at MRTC.
12) What recreational facilities are available? [top]
Recreation is important to a healthy lifestyle. The program includes periods of afternoon and weekend recreation each week. During these times you may visit the Leisure Centre, or engage in some hobby or craft activity. In addition, if you rise early, you can access the Leisure Centre between 6:00 am and 8:00 am. We also have an exercise room/area as well as a games room and a TV room on site.
13) If I leave before 4 weeks can I still complete the program? [top]
We encourage all people to stay the full 4 weeks in order to fully benefit from our program. If an emergency should arise while you are in treatment, please consult with staff to make appropriate arrangements. If you choose to leave prior to finishing the program we will make note of this in your discharge summary and you may not receive a completion certificate.
14) Can I make and receive phone calls or send letters? [top]
There is a client phone room available to make free local calls. If you require a personalized voicemail box, you can request that one be set up for you along with a personalized PIN. Clients are encouraged to provide their voicemail box number to those whom may wish to leave messages for them during their stay at MRTC. The receptionist will not take messages for clients at MRTC due to the requirement to maintain client confidentiality and therefore cannot confirm or deny their presence. Mail can be sent from our reception desk at any time during your stay – pay the cost of postage to the receptionist.
15) Do I need to attend every day? [top]
Yes. You are expected to participate in the full curriculum offered at MRTC with the exception of illness, emergency or support by the home group counsellor.
16) What personal items should I bring? [top]
Comfortable clothing and shoes suitable for exercising, a swimsuit (for those who wish to use the public pool during free time) toiletries including towels, usual indoor/outdoor clothing that is comfortable and in good taste. Clothing that advertises alcohol or other drugs, is sexist, gang related, racist or otherwise prejudicial is inappropriate. You are also advised to bring free-time activities and weather appropriate outdoor wear (i.e. Umbrella, warm coat, hat, etc.). Please do not bring any objectionable reading materials, food, knives, laptops, iPads or tablets, or laser pointers.
17) Can I bring my cell phone? [top]
To maximize the benefits from your time at Maple Ridge Treatment Center and to honor your commitment to self and other people, we support a mindful engagement with your phone. You have an opportunity to practice self-care and restraint in terms of phone-calls, sending or responding to text messages or emails and your use of social media.
While we recognize such communication can be helpful to deepen and develop supportive connections outside of MRTC, phone use at the centre can also be counterproductive. To that end, we have the following policies in place to support you and others while here:
-
-
- Limit the use of your phone to off property, the phone room and your bedroom. Please refrain from using your phone in all other common areas in respect to others in the program.
- No phone use on property after 11:00 pm Sunday to Thursday and 1:00 am Friday and Saturday. If you have a room-mate, please respect their space and limit your cell phone conversations. You can also arrange your calls to occur in the phone room downstairs.
- Don’t engage with your phone during program hours, whether you are participating in program or not.
- Be respectful and not disrupt other residents with the use of your cell phone.
- Provide your cell phone number to staff with the understanding that staff will contact you if you leave treatment early without notice.
- Place your silenced phone in the locker provided on the 3rd floor whenever you are not actively using it. This may be a fantastic way to support the mindful use of your phone.
-
18) Can I bring other electronic devices? [top]
Other electronic devices such as laptops are not supported at MRTC.
19) I have no place to go after treatment. Does MRTC find housing for me? [top]
MRTC is not staffed with housing workers. We have limited resources to assist helping men secure housing after treatment. As our program is of a short duration, we strongly encourage clients to have secured safe housing prior to coming to MRTC. If housing is not secure, please inform your referral agent prior to admission and discuss with MRTC staff during first few days of treatment. We strongly advise you to begin applying for housing immediately as applications and funding times vary.