While most suggest abstinence as the form of treatment for alcoholism, in Ottawa, Ontario at the Managed Alcohol Program they focus more on a harm reduction approach that aims to change individuals' drinking behaviours and foster better physical and mental health.
MAP first began in 2001, and is a partnership program between Shepherds of Good Hope and Ottawa Inner City Health. Originally the program consisted of a 12-bed homeless hostel downtown Ottawa, but in 2010 they also opened a larger facility called the Oaks. At these residences residents receive a glass of wine every hour from 7:30am to 9:30pm.
Most of the residents who are engaged in the MAP program have resorted to drinking hand sanitizer, mouth wash, and even hairspray in the past, often putting themselves at great risk. Many more used to be frequent visitors of the local emergency rooms, and others struggled in the cold during harsh winters simply to feed their addiction. The MAP program however, has helped to reduce 911 calls and hospital emergency visits, as well as help stabilize the residents and turn their lives around.
""The thought was that if we could stabilise the craziness of their lives, the day that begins with the search for alcohol and all the complications that occur with that, then maybe we could make inroads with their mental health, addiction to alcohol and their physical illnesses," says Dr Jeff Turnbull, one of those early innovators, and the chief of staff at Ottawa Hospital."
For the full story, click here:
http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-36717557
MAP first began in 2001, and is a partnership program between Shepherds of Good Hope and Ottawa Inner City Health. Originally the program consisted of a 12-bed homeless hostel downtown Ottawa, but in 2010 they also opened a larger facility called the Oaks. At these residences residents receive a glass of wine every hour from 7:30am to 9:30pm.
Most of the residents who are engaged in the MAP program have resorted to drinking hand sanitizer, mouth wash, and even hairspray in the past, often putting themselves at great risk. Many more used to be frequent visitors of the local emergency rooms, and others struggled in the cold during harsh winters simply to feed their addiction. The MAP program however, has helped to reduce 911 calls and hospital emergency visits, as well as help stabilize the residents and turn their lives around.
""The thought was that if we could stabilise the craziness of their lives, the day that begins with the search for alcohol and all the complications that occur with that, then maybe we could make inroads with their mental health, addiction to alcohol and their physical illnesses," says Dr Jeff Turnbull, one of those early innovators, and the chief of staff at Ottawa Hospital."
For the full story, click here:
http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-36717557
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