Red Fish Healing Centre introduces transcranial magnetic stimulation to support innovative substance use treatment
Red Fish Healing Centre for Mental Health and Addiction is the first facility in BC’s public health care system to offer transcranial magnetic stimulation as a treatment option for clients with substance use disorder.
Pictured above: Nurses Vinson Francisco (left) and Maricel Jimena-Born (right) with the transcranial magnetic stimulation device at Red Fish Healing Centre for Mental Health and Addiction.
This non-invasive approach uses a series of short magnetic pulses to target specific regions of the brain to improve self-regulation and reduce substance use cravings.
“For people struggling with substance use disorder, there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all solution,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. “That’s why it’s so important to be able to offer a wide variety of evidence-based treatments and supports for people who are seeking help. The Red Fish Healing Centre is doing vital work in providing compassionate care that is tailored to the needs of individuals in treatment.”
Research supports the use of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to help people who live with substance use disorders on their pathway to recovery. At Red Fish Healing Centre, TMS is used as an innovative therapy that complements other substance use treatment options. While treatment is tailored to each individual, clients at Red Fish Healing Centre currently receive TMS three times a day over a period of two weeks.
“By activating specific regions of the brain, it can improve someone's cognitive control,” said Dr. Christian Schütz, research lead, Adult Mental Health and Substance Use, BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services. “There's good evidence that repetitive TMS may be effective at decreasing substance use and cravings according to ongoing and previous studies. TMS complements psychotherapeutic and medication treatments quite well.”
Clients at Red Fish Healing Centre with substance use disorder can discuss this treatment option with their medical team. The team will ensure the patient is a good candidate for the procedure, which can include some side-effects like mild headaches.
As part of establishing protocols for using TMS at Red Fish Healing Centre, the medical team was able to reduce the risk of side effects by adapting the protocol and shortening the time of application. Patients used to have to sit still for 20 to 25 minutes while receiving TMS; with the new protocol at Red Fish Healing Centre, they only sit for three to five minutes.
“TMS is being established around the world, and we are excited to introduce this innovative approach adapted to treat substance use disorder as a regular treatment option for our inpatients at Red Fish Healing Centre,” said Kathryn Embacher, provincial executive director, Adult Mental Health and Substance Use, BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services. “We have been communicating with public health care organizations in other provinces that are looking into implementing this treatment approach as well.”
Operated by BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services, a program of the Provincial Health Services Authority, Red Fish Healing Centre for Mental Health and Addiction is a 105-bed facility that provides longer-term care for people with significant, overlapping mental health and substance use challenges.