Since its beginnings in 1974 (as the Ottawa Detoxification Centre), the Ottawa Withdrawal Management Centre has transformed itself and has acquired a solid reputation in withdrawal management.

In its first years, only men over 40 who were battling alcohol addiction were admitted to the Centre.

At that time, the Centre was affiliated with the Ottawa General Hospital. It was one of the first centres in the province established as an alternative to prison for chronic drunk offenders.

The Centre was located on Murray Street until 1985, when it moved to its current location at 62 Bruyère Street in front of the Élizabeth-Bruyère Health Centre, as part of the Sisters of Charity of Ottawa Health Services.

Presently, the Centre is a level 2 non-medical, 20-bed establishment offering withdrawal services to men and women 16 years of age and older.

In 2005, the responsibility for the Centre was transferred to the Montfort Hospital. It is managed for Montfort Hospital by Montfort Renaissance Inc.