Page 66 - 2017-2018 Department of Psychiatry Annual Report

Adult Specialty Services

Addiction Services or challenging behaviours. To access bed inpatient unit, Emerald Hall.
Addiction services in the Central services, a diagnosis of intellectual or With the ultimate goal being to care
Zone offers treatment and support for developmental disability, as defined for patients in their home and in
individuals affected by their own, or by significant impairments in both their community, they also provide
a loved one’s, harmful involvement intellectual functioning (IQ < 70) and outpatient services to individuals
with alcohol, other drugs and/or in adaptive behavior, as expressed and their caregivers through the
gambling. Types of support offered in conceptual, social, and practical Community Outreach Assessment
include individual counselling, adaptive skills that originated during Support and Treatment team
recovery and educational groups, an the developmental period, must be (COAST).
inpatient withdrawal management present. In recent times, the service has
three week program, day program The specialized team comprises experienced exciting growth
as well as structured relapse psychiatrists, a family physician, and expansion as a result of
prevention program. Ongoing co- mental health nurses, two board strong advocacy on behalf of
location of Addictions and Community certified behaviour analysts, a department leaders and clinical and
Mental Health staff ensures better recreation therapist, a social administrative directors. The addition
collaboration between the two worker, an occupational therapist, of board certified behaviour analysts
services through the implementation and developmental workers. Their (BCBA) to the interdisciplinary team
of a parallel treatment approach.
collaboration as an interdisciplinary to assist in the functional assessment
Adult Neurodevelopmental team is integral to addressing the of challenging behaviour and provide
evidence-based intervention is a
complex needs of their patient
Psychiatric Unit population. product of this direction to improve
Formerly the NSHA Dual Diagnosis treatment. Behaviour analysis is a
Program, this unit provides provincial For those experiencing an acute discipline that is currently unique to
tertiary services for adults living with mental health crisis, the Adult this unit in the Nova Scotia Health
an intellectual or developmental Neurodevelopmental Psychiatric Authority. Additionally, a highly
disability and complex mental health Unit provides support in the 15- experienced neuropsychiatrist from

66 DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHIATRY Abbie J. Lane Building