Alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatments and programs

A wide range of alcohol and other drug (AOD) services exists to help people who are affected by their own or someone else’s substance use. Many of these services are free, and which one is best depends on each person’s individual needs.

The first step in getting help is usually talking to someone. Doctors and other health professionals can give confidential advice and refer you to a treatment program that suits you. Many areas also have a telephone counselling, information and referral line for anyone affected by drugs or alcohol.

Different treatments aim for different outcomes — whether that is stopping AOD use altogether (abstinence) or reducing use to a safer, less harmful level. Not everyone completes a treatment program the first or even the second time. Some people need several attempts, or need to try a few different options, before they find what works for them.

Harm reduction#

Harm reduction recognizes that some people will continue to use drugs, and that some may be unwilling or unable to stop. Rather than aiming only for abstinence, it focuses on reducing the harmful effects of drug use for the individual, their family and friends, and the wider community.

One example is a needle and syringe program, which supplies sterile injecting equipment to reduce the spread of bloodborne diseases that can pass between people who inject drugs and share needles. For many people, reducing harm is a more realistic goal than quitting altogether.

Counselling#

Counselling is provided by health professionals such as psychologists, doctors, psychiatrists and social workers. It can be delivered face to face, online or over the telephone, for individuals and sometimes their families, as well as through group counselling and day programs.

It can range from a brief, single session to longer periods of one-to-one or group work. A counsellor experienced in AOD issues can help start you on the path to recovery and provide links to further information and education. Confidential online and telephone counselling is also available in many places, often around the clock, with no special equipment or downloads required.

Withdrawal (detoxification)#

Detoxification — ‘detox’ or withdrawal — is the process of removing a drug from the body completely, or greatly reducing the amount in your system.

If you are dependent on alcohol or other drugs, you may experience withdrawal symptoms when you stop or cut down. For some substances these symptoms can be severe and, in extreme cases, life-threatening, so a medical assessment should be considered before you go through withdrawal. Depending on your situation, options may include:

• Residential withdrawal — usually a short stay in a community residential withdrawal service or hospital.
• Home-based withdrawal — a series of intensive sessions over a short period, followed by ongoing counselling. It is supported by an experienced nurse and a doctor, and suits people whose symptoms are mild to moderate and who have support from a family member or friend at home. It can be accessed through a community-based service or as a hospital outpatient.

Pharmacotherapy#

‘Pharmacotherapy’ means using medication to help treat dependence. Common medications include methadone and buprenorphine.

These treatments can often be prescribed by local doctors who have been trained to do so, with the medication dispensed through some community pharmacies. Specialist services may be needed if you also have complex medical, psychiatric or psychological problems; these often operate from hospitals.

Rehabilitation#

Rehabilitation and ongoing treatment after the withdrawal stage can include:

• Residential rehabilitation — a safe, supported live-in environment for people who have not been able to overcome their drug use through other programs. It offers individual and group counselling, with an emphasis on mutual self-help and peer support, and helps people reintegrate into the community.
• Therapeutic day rehabilitation — intensive support for people at risk of harm from their AOD use, who are able to stay at home while attending the program.

Peer support#

Peer support comes from people with first-hand experience of alcohol and drug use. Peer support groups and activities are usually run by people who currently use, or previously used, AOD.

Care and recovery coordination#

If you are receiving drug treatment alongside other services — such as housing, mental health or employment support — you may be assigned a care and recovery coordinator. They work with the different providers to make sure all your needs are met and that you are supported in the community.

A coordinator helps smooth the treatment pathway for you and those supporting you, improves your access to other services, and helps you work with family or friends to plan treatment and set personal recovery goals.

Support for families#

Families can be a vital support network for someone with an AOD problem, but they may need support themselves. Services for families include:

• Self-help groups that provide support, information and advice
• Parent support programs run by AOD professionals, which guide parents and families in supporting a child or relative with a substance problem
• Sibling support that addresses the wellbeing of brothers and sisters affected by addiction in the family
• Family counselling for relatives seeking assistance and support

Support for young people#

Services designed specifically for young people can include assessment and support, youth outreach, youth residential and home-based withdrawal, youth residential rehabilitation, and supported accommodation.

Support for women#

Some treatment options are designed specifically for women — for example, women-only group counselling sessions, sometimes with childcare available. These services aim to provide a comfortable and safe environment.

Support for specific communities#

Services are also available for people from particular communities who are affected by, or at risk of being affected by, substance use, either directly or indirectly. These are often delivered in a culturally informed way, working with individuals and families to address their AOD use, and referrals can be made through community-based organizations and mainstream AOD services.

Key points#

• The best service depends on the individual; the first step is simply talking to someone, in confidence.
• Treatments aim either for abstinence or for safer, reduced use, and it may take several attempts to find what works.
• Options include harm reduction, counselling, withdrawal, pharmacotherapy, rehabilitation, peer support and care coordination.
• A medical assessment should be considered before withdrawal, as symptoms from some substances can be severe.
• Specific programs exist for families, young people, women and particular communities.

Where to get help#