WOMEN'S TREATMENT CENTRE (WTC)

Location: Palmetto Palms, 112 North Shore Road, Devonshire and Marlborough Gardens, 166 Middle Road, Southampton

Women’s Treatment Centre (WTC) is a Government of Bermuda funded substance abuse treatment program under the umbrella of the Department for National Drug Control and the Ministry of Justice.

The WTC is the only residential treatment facility for women in Bermuda. It provides long-term comprehensive treatment for addiction and related disorders. The program is delivered over a 12-month period using a phased approach. All clients are assessed on completion of each phase prior to being progressed to the next Phase. Each client is judged on her individual merit for treatment planning. The average length of stay in the program to-date is 15 months. Clients for treatment must be assessed by professionals at the Bermuda Assessment Referral Center (BARC) and, if eligible, are then referred. All clients must be 18 years or older and have relapsed after a number of prior treatment attempts. Women with small children, clients with AIDS/HIV positive, Hepatitis, as well as Intravenous drug users, are welcome for admission.

Clients may be referred from any of the following services or persons:

• Hospital (King Edward VII or Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute)
• Drug Treatment Court
• Financial Assistance
• Department of Corrections
• Department of Child and Family Services
• Self or Family
• Physicians
• Police
• Minister of Religion
• The Women’s Resource Center
• Physical Abuse Center

Admission Criteria - Diagnosis

The client meets the criteria for alcohol and/or drug abuse/dependence as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM IV) or other commonly accepted diagnostic criteria.

• All clients must be females
• 18 years or older
• Assessed as a substance abuse disorder
• In fairly good health
• If there is a psychiatric disorder, client must be first treated and stabilized
• If a client is abusing alcohol, opiates or benzodiazepines, she must also complete detoxification at the Turning Point Detoxification Unit prior to her admission to the facility
• Medical and psychiatric reports are required on admission
• Clients on methadone are co-managed with the staff of the Turning Point Methadone Maintenance Program

Special needs clients will be accommodated based on the facility’s ability to provide services only.

The Women’s Community Transitional Residence (WCTR) is the only transitional sober house for women in Bermuda. It provides long-term, independent community living for women who have completed at least one year of treatment or have maintained abstinence for over one year.

Women are admitted from the WTC or assessed for suitability after returning from treatment overseas and following a period of “observation” at the WTC. Women may remain in residence for up to two (2) years or as indicated by individuals need. Clients who reside in the WCTR are required to continue to work on budgeting with a WTC staff and they are charged a monthly Transitional Living Fee based on a percentage of their gross income on a sliding scale basis. Residents’ living fees are “capped” at 30 % of their gross income.

• Minimum of (1) year sobriety
• Willingness to reside in a recovery setting
• Willingness to be supervised by counseling staff
• Ability to maintain personal and other safety
• Employed or seeking employment
• Actively involved in after care support
• 12 step meeting attendance/sponsorship
• Ability to attend to personal activities of daily living
• Medically and psychiatrically stable
• Ability to keep appointments
• Manage own medications and medical conditions without undue risk to self or others
• Ability to handle minor challenges
• Report disrepair of household items

In 2011, the Women’s Treatment Centre of Bermuda has been awarded a Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) Three-Year accreditation for the following programs:

• Community Housing: Alcohol and Other Drugs/Addictions (Adults)
• Residential Treatment: Alcohol and Other Drugs/Addictions (Adults)