Newfoundland and Labrador expands addiction treatment and detox capacity in Corner Brook

An $8.25-million expansion of the Humberwood Treatment Centre will add short-stay detox services and increase inpatient addiction-treatment capacity in western Newfoundland.

Newfoundland and Labrador is expanding addiction treatment and recovery services in Corner Brook, with plans to introduce community-based detox beds and increase inpatient capacity at the Humberwood Treatment Centre.

The multi-year project represents an investment of $8.25 million, including $3.75 million allocated through Budget 2026. The expansion will be completed in two phases and is intended to provide faster access to withdrawal management and residential addiction treatment in western Newfoundland.

New short-stay detox beds

During the first phase, four dedicated short-stay beds will be established for people requiring community-based detox services.

The beds are intended to accommodate individuals requiring same-day or next-day admission, providing more timely access to withdrawal management and helping patients transition to inpatient treatment when clinically appropriate.

NL Health Services has engaged CORE Engineering to complete detailed design work for the first phase, which is expected to begin this fall. The company is also developing a preliminary scope of work for the second phase.

The addition of community-based detox services on Newfoundland’s west coast is part of the province’s effort to make addiction recovery services available closer to where patients live.

Inpatient capacity to increase

The second phase will add six inpatient beds to Humberwood.

The centre currently operates 12 inpatient beds and provides a 28-day treatment program for adults living with substance use disorders and addictions. Once the expansion is complete, Humberwood will have 18 inpatient treatment beds in addition to the four community-based detox beds.

The expansion is also intended to improve continuity between different levels of addiction care. Patients who begin with withdrawal management could transition more smoothly to inpatient treatment and ultimately to community-based recovery supports.

According to NL Health Services’ most recent annual reporting, the province had already increased Humberwood’s capacity from 11 to 12 beds and introduced measures aimed at reducing treatment wait times. NL Health Services reported a 34 per cent reduction in provincial wait times for adult inpatient addiction treatment during 2024-25.

The new expansion aligns with recommendations from Newfoundland and Labrador’s All-Party Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Addictions to improve access to detoxification and inpatient treatment services. It is also identified as a priority under the province’s Alcohol Action Plan.

Source: Government of Newfoundland and Labrador / Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services

Original Government of Newfoundland and Labrador announcement

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