The CEO of Windsor Regional Hospital is calling for more support services in the community before it's too late for those battling addiction.
David Musyj said it is a vicious cycle because 40 per cent of patients with addictions return to the hospital within 30 days because there is a lack of support. He also said that 20 per cent of patients with mental health issues return to the hospital within a month due to scarce mental health services in the area.
Musyj said long wait times for local treatment often worsen the condition of patients and clog up the emergency department when they have to return.
"It's still voluntary for them to get help but the chances of them getting that help when they leave us, if it's available immediately, increase exponentially," said Musyj.
Musyj said there seems to be a willingness to solve the problem but there's no solution yet from the province.
"Right now no one has the magic wand for the solution but clearly one of the solutions is immediate community support available," he added.
Musyj said the re-admission rates for mental health and addictions issues are significantly higher than many other health issues.
"A lot of times we save them and as soon as they can get two feet on the ground they leave. We can't force them to stay," Musyj said.
Musyj added the province is spending a lot of money on the problem but it's not making a dent. He said that money could be invested in other areas and a new approach is required to treat those with addictions before they are forced to use the hospital to stay alive.
