Turning Point Substance Abuse Programme | Bermuda Hospitals Board

Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute

8:30am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday • On call 24/7

Tel: (441) 239-2038 or (441) 236-3770 ext 3403

People abuse substances such as drugs, alcohol and tobacco for varied and complicated reasons, but it is clear that our society pays a significant cost. The toll for this abuse can be seen through direct damage to health by substance abuse and its link to physical and emotional trauma. Finding effective treatment for and prevention of substance abuse is the only way to achieve full recovery.

Have you made the decision that now is the time to resign from a life of drugs and alcohol, and the pain that it brings to your family and friends? We’re ready, too – ready to partner with you and your family in your recovery from alcohol and drug abuse, and guide you towards a sober and productive future.

The philosophy of the Turning Point Substance Abuse Programme is one of total abstinence from all illicit drugs, alcohol and the misuse of prescription drugs. We believe that abstinence will lead to a better quality of life and subsequent holistic healing. We treat the disease of addiction on an individual basis to achieve these goals, recognising the need for a mutual agreement between staff and clients in order for treatment expectations to be met.

Turning Point offers treatment to clients over the age of 18. Those services include individual counselling, case management and referral services tailored to individual client needs. We believe that individual and group counselling, medication assisted treatment, support groups and inpatient detoxification are effective methods for treating people who are addicted. On request, Turning Point staff will assist family, friends and employers to intervene to persuade individuals to seek treatment.

Substance Abuse Services
Inpatient Treatment
Outpatient Treatment
Medication-assisted Treatment

Substance Abuse Services

Alcoholism and drug abuse are serious threats to social stability in Bermuda. The Turning Point Programme receives referrals from social and medical agencies, treatment facilities, employee assistance programmes, physicians and family members, as well as self-referrals.

Turning Point’s treatment services include Intensive Detox Unit, Intensive Outpatient Treatment, and Methadone Maintenance Treatment Programme.

In addition to the programmes above, Turning Point offers:

Individual counselling
Chemical dependency education
Recreation and exercise therapy
Aftercare services
Relapse prevention
Family education and counselling
Family intervention
Anger management
Women’s focus group
Outpatient detox
Outpatient support groups
Psychiatric consultation and follow-up
Psychological assessment and follow-up
Drug testing
Referral to local and overseas services
Liaison with Drug Court, Family Services, etc.
Public talks and forums
Substance use assessments

Useful Links

Inpatient Treatment

Inpatient Detox Unit (IDU)

IDU provides medical detoxification from opiates, benzodiazepines, alcohol and other medically managed services that are delivered to clients in an inpatient setting. In addition to effecting withdrawal from psychoactive substances and providing medical stabilisation, these programmes provide concurrent assessment, counselling and other intensive interventions for the purpose of placing these substance abusers in continued treatment.

Outpatient Treatment

Intensive Outpatient Treatment (IOP)

IOP begins with a clinically intensive intervention which may include individual, group and family counselling services, education and supportive services. These are provided in a structured environment.

IOP is a five-week programme facilitated over a 20-day period and is conducted from Monday through Thursday between 10:30am and 3:30pm. It includes drug education and individual/group counselling. The client’s needs for psychiatric and medical services are arranged through consultation and referral.

Useful Links

Medication-assisted Treatment

Medication-assisted treatment combines pharmacological intervention with counselling and behavioural therapies. This provides the client with a comprehensive approach in the treatment of substance abuse disorders. This treatment is clinically driven and focuses on the client as an individual, and care is provided as such.

Methadone Maintenance Treatment Programme (MMTP)

MMTP provides treatment using methadone – a controlled narcotic – to detoxify and maintain substance abusers addicted to heroin or other opiate-like drugs. Physical, psychiatric and social assessments are made to determine a client’s suitability for the programme. The programme includes meetings to learn about methadone and drug addiction. Clients must also attend Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meetings, and individual and group sessions.

Buprenorphine Maintenance Treatment Programme

The Buprenorphine Maintenance Treatment Programme provides treatment using buprenorphine – a controlled narcotic – to detoxify and maintain substance abusers addicted to heroin or other opiate-like drugs. Physical, psychiatric and social assessments are made to determine a client’s suitability for the programme. The programme includes meetings to learn about drug addiction. Clients must also attend Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meetings, and individual and group sessions.