9. DRUG AND ALCOHOL AGENCIES

There is a whole drug treatment system out there, made up of withdrawal programs, methadone prescribers, residential services, self-help groups, counselling services and telephone help lines. In Victoria, most alcohol and drug treatment services are provided through non-government organisations. A number of services are provided free of charge, but for others there may be a minor cost - this is usually specified in the listings in this chapter.

Other services, such as methadone and naltrexone prescribing, are provided by medical practitioners. There is a weekly dispensing fee that you pay to the chemist.

There are also some private hospitals and centres that provide drug treatment, but these may be very expensive if you don't have private insurance.

Getting immediate help from some drug treatment agencies can be quite difficult. For some services - for example, residential withdrawal programs - there is usually a waiting list and you probably can't be seen straight away.

This delay can be really off-putting, particularly if you want the support today. It is worth discussing with agency staff whether there is any other support available while you are waiting (for instance, home-based or outpatient withdrawal support). While you are waiting, be careful and stay safe.

Once you connect with a service, take your time and explore what your options are. There may not be time in the first instance when you require help for your immediate needs (for example, to take the edge off 'hanging out') to sit down with someone and talk through the possibilities, but try later on, when things are more stable. A good counsellor can be really useful for this.

It seems strange that sitting down and talking to someone can be beneficial. Identifying the problems you are experiencing and your motivation for change are important considerations when you are planning 'where to from here'. It may be a bit like going to the motor mechanic wishing that you could become a Ferrari, but when your needs and other characteristics have been taken into account, having your brakes fixed and fitting a new set of retreads may be as good as it gets, at this point in time.

As difficult as it is, there is something quite valuable in letting your guard down and revealing your problems to another person. A good helping relationship offers support, understanding and acceptance. Building on this, a good counsellor will also give information, provide some direction and help you consider some different ways of looking at your situation.

Most service users regard the help they receive in drug treatment agencies as very good. The qualities of professional helpers that service users value highly include:

When selecting a service, aim to find someone who can help you develop your skills and knowledge to deal more effectively with your problems.

Most importantly, don't underestimate what you bring into the helping relationship. You know better than anyone what is wrong and what you are prepared to do about it. Your professional helper can learn a great deal from your perspectives and your experiences and this will help improve the services provided. Try seeing the relationship as a co-operative partnership, where you combine your talents, experiences and knowledge in an effort to bring about positive outcomes that meet your needs. Remember, it is your needs that should determine the kind of help you require. Maximise your input and let your needs, strengths and expertise drive the helping process.

An important starting point is to decide what your goals are in seeking treatment or support, then look for the type of service that will best meet your needs (see Chapter 7, Treatment Options, has some information that might help with this). Don't judge an agency just by its name: some agencies with names suggesting a particular religious perspective welcome all comers; others with more inclusive names may restrict their services to people who follow a certain belief system. Look at the philosophy and the types of services provided before deciding whether an agency is likely to be appropriate for you.

A major consideration is the location of the service you want to access: services are usually provided on a regional basis, so you may not be able to get into the program you want if you don't live in that region. Some services are offered statewide, so where you live won't make a difference to these - although there may still be a waiting period before you can join a particular program.

If you're not sure where to start, you could try calling DirectLine (freecall 1800 888 236) for some advice about what services are out there. It may help to first make a short-list of the services you feel would meet your particular needs, then call the ones on your list to find out if they can help you. Following are some handy hints:

It is best to ring up a service first rather than just walking in, as they will usually have pre-booked appointments.

To get an overview of what kind of help is available, call DirectLine on 1800 888 236 (a free call), the 24-hour telephone information, referral and counselling service. They can help you talk through what you want to do and can suggest the services that may be relevant and appropriate. Also, talking on the telephone can feel less confronting than seeing someone in person. So DirectLine may be a good start. Be prepared to wait during busy call times. There's likely to be a shorter waiting time late at night, but if this time doesn't suit you just persevere and you'll eventually get through to someone who can help.

Virtually all residential withdrawal programs have a waiting list. They also have catchment areas, which means that you may not be eligible to get into the service unless you live in a certain area. If you are eager to get in, put yourself on the waiting list of all of them. You can do this by telling the assessment worker that you have no fixed address. Also, consider the option of either outpatient or home-based withdrawal support to help you handle the withdrawal.

General practitioners and staff at community health centres can also provide assistance in helping you manage withdrawal or discussing what you want to do next. Some have specialist drug and alcohol workers, many don't.

It may be useful to make contact with a self-help group or drug user group. (See Chapters 1 and 8 for further information on these). In many groups you can just sit and listen, or you can speak with people who have lived through similar, if not the same, experiences. Self-helpers have a unique understanding of what you are going through and can provide practical and emotional support.

Push for your needs! If you are not happy with the services you are receiving let the staff know. If your concerns are not resolved, you can ask to speak to the manager of the service to discuss the matter. If you are not satisfied and you wish to pursue the issue further, you can submit a complaint to the state Health Services Commissioner, ph: 8601 5222 or 1800 136 066.

Never give up hope and if you think you need help, go for it!