DETOX UNIT
The Detox Unit is a 28-bed unit with accommodations for male and female clients.  The therapeutic programme is provided by a multi-disciplinary team of professional care givers consisting of a medical doctor, nursing staff headed by an occupation therapist and a social worker.  With the help of allied health departments throughout the hospital, this “care team” of professionals directs and administers continuous care to patients throughout their two to four week stay on the unit.

Objective
Excellence in the overall care and treatment of Substance Abuse patients so that they may be motivated and inspired to work toward a successful recovery from a substance abuse lifestyle.

Services Provided

• Constant, continuous nursing care relevant to substance abuse client needs
• Regular medical supervision, assessments and referrals
• Abstinence from a drug-infested environment
• Opportunities to forge new, health therapeutic relationship with others in a helping environment
• Daily group psychotherapy and weekly educational groups by trained nurses
• Social Services
• Team Management Supervision and Support
• Opportunity to work in a learning, therapeutic environment
• Counseling and referral as indicated
• Education through exposure to information provided in the environment, workshop and encouragement to excel in professional endeavours

Source of Referrals

• Princess Margaret Hospital Accident and Emergency and the general wards
• Community Counseling and Assessment Centre
• Courts and Judicial System
• Family Island Courts
• Medical Clinics / Private Physicians
• Her Majesty’s Prison
• Detention Centre
• In-house admissions and transfers

HUMBLESTONE HOUSE
Mission Statement

“To provide rehabilitation for persons desirous of abstaining from alcohol use and maintain a sober lifestyle.”

This combined unit is one of the substance abuse units in the Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre. It is responsible for the rehabilitation of Alcoholics and aids in their return to society as productive citizens. It was established in 1967.

The Detox Unit was established in April, 1992 as a project of the community drive (Hands Across the Bahamas) which was spearheaded by the Rotary Club of the Bahamas and donated to the Ministry of Health.

The aim of treatment is to bury past addiction and commence a new life. Following burial, the individual attempts to explore their reason for drinking and work on ways at finding solutions to the problem via individual and group psycho therapies. The basic tool used is the fourteen (14) steps to recovery. The unit functions as a therapeutic community and promotes independence, individuality and family involvement.

Rehabilitation of these persons ensures that:

1. There is a complete change of lifestyle
2. They will develop abstinence from drugs
3. They will develop social skills and discontinue anti social and criminal behaviors.

The programme is voluntary but may also include involuntary patients from the courts. The patients who come in from the courts are either involved in some petty misdemeanors or in an attempt to salvage a marriage or family. At 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., family sessions, written and oral assignments, psychodrama, occupational therapy, individual psychotherapy, recreational therapy, spiritual awareness, Alcoholic Anonymous, and basic educational classes are held at the Child Guidance Department.

Hospital stays are six (6) months while follow-up treatment is eighteen (18) months. Humblestone House has a bed complement of fourteen (14). Some patients are discharged to Rosetta House, our half way house located on Rosetta Street.

House Rules

• No violence, damage to property or threats
• No intimate or sexual relationships
• No smoking

Ward Activities
Often times, clients would host events where family members are invited to share and celebrate occasions with them. The events are funded by staff and client’s donations.  Additionally, clients utilize their entrepreneurial skills in various manners to ensure the successful conclusion of a project.

These activities have provided for the improvement and the development of the house grounds with many other plans being formulated. The grounds of Humblestone House today are colorfully decorated.

Therapeutic Team

• Senior Psychiatric Registrar (1)
• Nursing Officer I (1)
• Registered Nurses (3)
• Trained Clinical Nurses (3)
• Male Attendants (6)
• Psychologist (1)
• Social Worker (1)
• Occupational Therapist (1)
• Recreational Therapist (1)

Family Responsibilities

• Attend patient conferences during patient’s admission
• Attend family groups, responding to questions and concerns as honestly as possible.
• Ask questions about the patient’s diagnosis, illness, signs and symptoms, and medications
• Ensure that the patient receives an appointment at discharge
• When possible, accompany patient to follow-up clinic (initially)
• Never allow patients to discontinue follow-up unless ordered by the Doctor

Our Communities can help:

• Stop the stigmatizing of patients - e.g. calling them “crazy”
• Re-employ patients who are discharged
• Grant patients time-off for follow-up appointments without penalization
• Invite the Mental Health Team to present to your staff
• Assign staff time to attend sessions about mental health