Substance Use Services

This program serves youth and young adults from 17 to 24 years of age, including those:

• With severe or high-risk substance use concerns who may also have mild to moderate mental health issues
• Whose primary concern is substance use, who may have experienced several relapses and require high-intensity care

While these services provide mental health support, the focus is on substance use treatment. Treatment is voluntary.

The program provides a safe and structured environment. The care team includes counsellors, recreation workers, Indigenous Elders, youth workers, teachers and family therapists. Doctors, including psychiatrists, are available for consultation via telehealth.  

The approach to care is one of respect for the person, recognizing their strengths, promoting their autonomy and providing collaboration and choice. Every youth or young adult’s experience, history and culture are important parts of their care delivery.  

Treatment includes:

• Individual, group, and family therapy
• Therapeutic recreational activities such as hiking
• Life-skills training
• High school completion options
• Support as individuals prepare to return to their home community

Most youth or young adults will finish treatment within three to six months. 

To access these services, you need a referral from a health-care professional such as a family doctor, nurse practitioner, pediatrician or other.  

Visit our substance use referral page for further information.

Contact our access and flow clinician for referral and program information. They are available from Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Email: accessandflowyaya@cw.bc.ca

The SURF team provides specialized consultation services for people who use substances. It works alongside other BC Children’s Hospital teams to deliver care, and to provide guidance on best practices for substance use care, including assessment, treatment and discharge planning.

This team supports children and youth with a range of substance use concerns, including alcohol, cannabis, nicotine, illicit substances and over-the-counter medications. 

The SURF team engages with patients and their family or caregivers directly about their current needs. It supports future planning for potential recovery and preventing relapses.  

We recommend that patients, parents and caregivers speak to a member of their BC Children’s Hospital care team to access support from SURF for their child or youth's substance use care needs. 

This service is not open to referrals from non-BC Children’s Hospital health-care providers.  

Referrals from BC Children’s Hospital’s Emergency Department

If a child or youth with substance use concerns accessed care at BC Children’s Hospital Emergency Department, and agreed to follow-up from SURF, we will phone your family within three business days.

The SURF clinician will discuss and review each child or youth's substance use care needs, and will offer supports they may need. The clinician can also offer connections to community services and resources, or a follow-up appointment with another member of the SURF team, if needed.  

This is a time-limited service to support patients who are discharged from the BC Children’s Hospital Emergency Department, and their family or caregivers.