Our History
Over the years, Turning Point has responded to the increasing number and complexity of client needs by expanding the program to serve some of the most vulnerable and challenging populations
History of Turning Point, Inc.
Turning Point opened its doors in 1975 in Cedar Grove, New Jersey, through the sweat equity and grassroots efforts of Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon members committed to providing a local resource for residential addiction treatment. Turning Point’s mission is to provide compassionate treatment for alcoholism, drug addiction, and related mental health issues. Turning Point seeks to reduce the stigma associated with addiction and mental illness.
Over the years, Turning Point has responded to the increasing number and complexity of client needs by expanding the program to serve some of the most vulnerable and challenging populations. Turning Point was among one the first to offer residential services to women, including pregnant women (1979), and was among the first residential treatment providers to embrace and fully integrate treatment for clients with co-occurring disorders (1981). Turning Point developed special programs for clients leaving the criminal justice system (1983) and those involved with the Division of Youth and Family Services (2000), as well as clients diverted to treatment rather than incarceration through the statewide drug court system. Turning Point was among the first residential treatment providers to embrace medication-assisted treatments (2003), and clients whose medical or psychiatric conditions require more enhanced medical supervision in a sub-acute setting (2008). Turning Point continuously responds, expanding and adapting its programs to those in need. Turning Point has long been recognized as a leader in the New Jersey addiction treatment system as evidenced by repeated requests for Turning Point’s participation in research and demonstration projects (NJ Campus Treatment Demonstration Project, 1991) and requests from state officials to pilot test new treatment initiatives and reporting processes.
2004- Present
Treatment at Turning Point is funded by private insurance, Medicaid, state and county grants, other contracts and specially funded programs and treatment initiatives. On a national level, Turning Point was selected by the National Council on Alcohol and Drug Dependence of New Jersey and President Bush’s White House Office of National Drug Control Policy as a “model treatment program” and was the host to launch the national Access to Recovery Treatment Initiative (2003). Turning Point’s Family Wellness Program (2010) was unique in its approach to treating the family, whether or not their loved one sought treatment. Turning Point was selected to host Governor Chris Christie and activist/musician Jon Bon Jovi in the signing of the Overdose Protection Act (2012). A merger with Anderson House, a halfway house and transitional housing for women (2014) expanded our footprint and completed the continuum of care.
With the purchase of 51,000 square feet at the former Barnert Hospital (2010) and the merger of Anderson House Program (2014), In September of 2015 John Clancy, a longtime supporter and former board member and Robert Detore led a new management team at Turning Point. John Clancy served as Chief Executive Officer until his passing in 2016, at which time Robert Detore was named Chief Executive Officer. In June of 2017, RWJ Barnabas Health designated Turning Point as their preferred provider for substance use disorder treatment. In 2019 an Intensive Outpatient/Outpatient facility opened in Lakewood in cooperation with the RWJBarnabas Health System and the Paterson location increased capacity to 137 beds.
In May of 2021, Turning Point’s newest program was born, The Aspire Counseling Center, focusing on meeting the needs of adolescents aged 13-18 struggling with substance use disorder and related mental health conditions. Located in Pompton Plains, services include a Partial Hospitalization (PHP) Adolescent Day Program, Outpatient and Intensive Outpatient, Early Intervention, Aftercare Services and Family Services.
Currently Turning Point has a permanent home for all residential programs with 144 inpatient beds. All facilities are un-encumbered by mortgages and provide a foundation for future growth and collaboration.
In March of 2024 Turning Point will celebrate its 49th anniversary, a milestone as New Jersey’s addiction treatment system faces radical changes in funding and approach to care, Turning Point stands in a position of strength with repeated 3-year accreditation and exemplary ratings from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), a solid reputation for quality clinical care and the respect of the leadership and staff of the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services, as well as our colleagues in the field. We are proud to have been ranked one of America’s Best Addiction Treatment Centers by Newsweek ~ 2023 Ranked one of Top 360 in the Nation and Top 2 in New Jersey; 2022 Ranked one of Top 330 in the Nation and Top 4 in New Jersey; 2021 Ranked one of Top 300 in the Nation and Top 7 in New Jersey; 2020 Ranked One of Top 200 in the Nation and Top 3 in New Jersey.