A new intensive out-patient counselling programme for substance abusers will be available in Bermuda next month.

And the programme, provided by V.J.C.M. Associates, will be conducted by five internationally certified chemical dependency counsellors.

Founder Caryl McNiff told The Royal Gazette the evening programme will provide those with alcohol and/or substance abuse problems the chance to get help without jeopardising their jobs.

Treatment will be offered in the evenings to accommodate the patient's work schedule.

"I became increasingly aware of the need for an out-patient programme for people who cannot afford continual individual counselling, who are unable to seek treatment off the Island, who wish to remain anonymous at work about their problem and, together with their families, need education and counselling,'' Ms McNiff said. "Nowhere else on the Island is such a programme being offered.'' The programme is also an alternative for people who lack insurance coverage for residential treatment.

"It depends on the person's insurance plan,'' Ms McNiff explained. "Some companies will not pay for residential care until the patient has demonstrated an inability to remain abstinent through out-patient treatment.'' Each session will last two-and-a-half-hours, Monday through Friday from 6 to 8.30 p.m. and will run for two weeks.

Prior to treatment, each patient will be given a psychological social assessment from which an individual programme will be formulated.

The sessions will consist of videos, lectures, discussions and group therapy.

There will also be family and couple counselling plus information and recommendations on continuing care.

Ms McNiff said initially, there would be a maximum of nine people in each group.

At the end of the two weeks of intensive treatment, patients will be referred to appropriate continuing care.

"If you get people past the shame, you can get them to do wonderful things,'' Ms McNiff said, adding that they may even confide in their employer.

V.J.C.M. Associates, located on 16 Brunswick Street, will open on October 8.

For more information call 236-9053.