Treating addictions is an intensive process.

TDTC treatment is multi-stepped and engaging - addictions are dealt with and registrants' lives are turned around for the better. The program is competency based meaning that as registrants demonstrate an increasing ability to control their drug use, their court appearances will become less frequent.

All treatment is provided by the Centre for Addictions and Mental Health, CAMH, and associated community health partners.

Treatment phases

1. Drug dependancy assessment
Since the program is open only to drug addicts, substance dependency is verified during an initial assessment interview at the Centre for Addictions and Mental Health, CAMH.

Assessments investigate an individual's drug use history, the consequences of drug use, social supports, medical risk behaviours, mental health concerns, and psychosocial issues. Once clients are admitted to the TDTC program, the assessment will form the basis for an individual treatment plan.

At this stage, appropriate housing is also investigated. (Proof of stable housing is a key component of the program.)

2. Orientation and Stabilization
This phase prepares registrants for the journey of recovery they are about to embark on. Expectations of the program are discussed and immediate social needs, like housing, are addressed.

At this stage registrants also begin attending group sessions to work on eliminating their use of addictive drugs and develop techniques for coping with drug cravings.

Two types of group sessions are employed:

• Getting Started
There are one-hour sessions in which new clients learn the norms, expectations and benefits of the program. At this stage they will also start attending to urgent social needs, such as housing.

• Prep
This group consists of three 2-hour support group sessions per week for four to eight weeks. Clients work on discontinuing drug use, developing and establishing links to community resources (e.g. housing) in order to achieve the stability needed for the intensive phase of treatment.

3. Intensive Treatment
Intensive treatment consists of 2-hour group sessions, 4 times per week for 3 weeks. Throughout, registrants begin to recognize triggers and functions of drug use and learn to develop coping strategies.

4. Maintenance
At this point, registrants are becoming accustomed to the TDTC program and group sessions become less formal. Bi-weekly sessions last 2 hours and continue for 3 months.

Topics covered include maintaining positive lifestyle changes, relapse prevention strategies and continued goal setting. Additionally, registrants are provided opportunities to explore personal and interpersonal issues in a caring environment.

5. Continuing Care
This phase involves attending one weekly, 2-hour group session for the remainder of a registrant' time in the program. These sessions provide ongoing group support with a focus on maintaining positive change and preventing relapse.

6. Graduation
Once all treatment phases are complete, registrants are considered for graduation from the program.