Holmes House withdrawal (detoxification) management services to reopen in September

(Photo left to right: Marcy Elliott, Rehab Counsellor, and Samantha Devereaux, Manager of Holmes House)

Wednesday, August 31, 2022 – Holmes House is pleased to announce the resumption of its withdrawal (detoxification) management services effective Monday, September 5, 2022.

“We are thrilled to announce that our withdrawal management program is reopening,” said Samantha Devereaux, Manager of Holmes House. “The staff at Holmes House have eagerly engaged in educational opportunities and other initiatives during the temporary reduction of services that they are looking forward to implementing when the program resumes on September 5. Recovery from addiction takes a community. The staff at Holmes House wants to extend a huge thank you to our clients, volunteers, and community members for their ongoing support and understanding during our temporary reduction of services.”

The Holmes House withdrawal management program was suspended in February of 2022, due to staffing challenges.

Holmes House offers withdrawal management services (detoxification) and residential programming for men and women (aged 16 and over) who have an addiction to alcohol and drugs. The purpose of the service is to provide access to treatment, and the tools necessary to meet the individualized recovery goals of the clients.

The withdrawal management program provides clients with a safe space to withdraw from a variety of substances, including alcohol, cocaine, opioids, prescription drugs, amphetamines, and marijuana.

Holmes House is also bringing back its short-term (21-day) co-ed treatment program on-site. The residential treatment program was moved off-site in 2020 because clients did not have enough space to social distance themselves due to COVID-19 protocols.

During the temporary reduction in services, Holmes House also underwent a transformation with fresh paint, updated furniture, and the use of space in which these services are provided.

“Our Holmes House team has worked extremely hard to enhance the space and programming available to clients, said Jessica Sarafinchin, Clinical Director of Holmes House. “The staff is looking forward to providing care, based on best practices, in a setting where clients are safe and empowered to lean into self-acceptance and healing. Providing a safe, dignified, and therapeutic environment to clients seeking help is key to their success.”

Norfolk General Hospital, the governing agency of Holmes House, is committed to making high-quality detoxification services available in the communities that we serve.

“The reopening of the withdrawal management program is great news for our community,” said Kim Mullins, Vice-President Clinical and Chief Nursing Executive. “We know the issues surrounding mental health and substance use are impacting the health and well-being of our residents, now more than ever. I would like to thank the Holmes House staff who have overcome many challenges in preparing to reopen this service so they can support this area of need, which I know will help clients with substance use disorders on their road to recovery.”

NGH would like to thank the community for its patience and understanding during this time.

For more information about Holmes House, please click here.