What if I am unsure about making a change?
You can discuss your concerns, uncertainties and goals during an assessment. The physician can explain the options and work with you on appropriate next steps.
Do I need to know which treatment I want?
No. The consultation is an opportunity to discuss your concerns and consider which options may be appropriate for you.
Can I request a particular medication?
You can discuss your preferences and previous treatment experience with the physician. Whether a medication is appropriate depends on clinical assessment, its potential benefits and risks, and the follow-up needed.
What if I am already receiving treatment elsewhere?
Bring information about your current treatment and prescriber. Any transfer of care or prescribing responsibility must be discussed and coordinated with the clinicians involved. Arranging a consultation does not, by itself, transfer your care or change your current treatment plan.
What should I do about alcohol withdrawal?
Our alcohol treatment service focuses on ongoing outpatient care. This is not an emergency withdrawal service, and we do not provide benzodiazepine-based alcohol withdrawal treatment. Benzodiazepines can have a role in medically supervised alcohol withdrawal, which is different from ongoing treatment for alcohol use disorder (Canadian AUD guideline (opens in a new tab)).
Alcohol withdrawal can cause seizures or severe confusion and can be life-threatening, as described in CAMH's alcohol information (opens in a new tab). If you may be physically dependent on alcohol, seek medical advice before stopping suddenly or sharply reducing your intake.
If you are experiencing withdrawal symptoms, seek urgent medical assessment rather than waiting for an online appointment. Call 911 for a seizure, severe confusion or another medical emergency. Do not stop or change prescribed medication based on this website; contact your prescriber for advice.
Do you provide chronic pain management?
No. Addiction Medicine at Lorne Park does not provide chronic pain management. Pain may still be relevant to an addiction assessment, so please discuss any pain concerns with the physician. Ongoing pain management should be arranged separately with your primary care clinician or a pain-care provider.
Can I send health information through this website?
This website does not have a patient intake, document-upload or messaging form. The appointment links open Lorne Park Medical Centre's separate Cortico website in a new tab. Any information you enter there is submitted through Cortico, not through this website. Review the privacy information and consent notices provided on that booking page before entering your information.
Do not use online booking to request medical advice or communicate urgent concerns. For care-related communication, use the contact arrangements established with your treating clinic.
Can I use online booking for an urgent concern?
No. Online booking is not an urgent-care or clinical messaging service; contact your treating clinic or dispensing pharmacy promptly about time-sensitive medication concerns, and call 911 for a medical emergency.