Patient experiences and perceived efficacy of a newly implemented hospital-based withdrawal management unit in Vancouver, Canada: findings from the Road to Recovery evaluation

Abstract Background The Road to Recovery (R2R) initiative represents an innovative approach to substance use care in British Columbia, Canada, that is designed to provide timely, comprehensive, and culturally safe services for individuals with a substance use disorder (SUD). This survey sought to understand patient experiences with this new care model. Methods Adults (≥ 18 years) with a SUD who accessed R2R’s new hospital-based withdrawal management unit in Vancouver, Canada between May 2024 and April 2025 were invited to participate in a cross-sectional survey that captured their individual experiences. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize responses. Results 87 participants completed the survey. The mean age was 41 years (Standard Deviation [SD] = 15); 57% (n = 50) identified as male, and 49% (n = 43) as Indigenous. The majority (n = 58, 67%) of respondents reported access to withdrawal management services in ≤ 48 h. A total of 91% (n = 79) of participants felt the quality of care was ‘good’ or ‘excellent’, 90% (n = 78) reported positive interactions with staff, 88% (n = 68) of respondents felt their withdrawal symptoms were adequately managed, 91% (n = 71) believed the program helped them achieve their treatment goals. Among participants visited by Indigenous Wellness Liaisons (IWLs) (n = 56), 77% (n = 43) completely trusted IWLs, and 52% (n = 17) reported that their cultural and spiritual needs were completely met by IWLs. Peer support was valued by 85% of respondents for providing empathy and motivation. One-third (n = 29, 33%) of participants contemplated leaving during their admission, most commonly because of the absence of engaging activities (n = 12, 41%,). Overall, 95% said they would recommend the program to others. Conclusions Findings highlight that the R2R model delivers timely, high-quality, and culturally safe withdrawal management care. Patients emphasized the value of respectful staff, effective medical management, and integration of Indigenous and peer supports. Enhancing structured programming and expanding access to psychosocial and cultural services may further improve engagement and reduce early discharge. Embedding trauma-informed, interdisciplinary, and culturally grounded approaches within hospital-based withdrawal management may improve patient experience and retention, informing future models of addiction care in Canada.