Treatment

How do I know if I need treatment?

What kind of help is available?

How much will it cost?

How do I get help?

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How do I know if I need treatment?

If your alcohol or other drug use is affecting your health, family, relationships, work, school, financial or other life situation, you should seek help.

Support and information are available for you, and also for your family and friends if they feel it would help them.

What kind of help is available?

A range of treatment options is available to both private and public patients. Find out more about what kind of help is available.

Services are also available to support those who have been affected by the alcohol or other drug use of a family member. As well as providing understanding, these services can also provide accurate information about how best to help during treatment.

State and territory alcohol and drug information services can help you with counselling, information and referral to services.

How much will it cost?

There may be minimal costs for some services in the public sector, but a number of different treatment options (such as counselling and withdrawal) are generally free.

Private health insurance is recommended if you wish to access the private treatment sector.

How do I get help?

• A good place to start is with your local doctor who is likely to know your medical history. Your doctor can give you information, a referral to a treatment service and ongoing treatment after specialist alcohol and other drug treatment is completed.
• Another option is self-referral. Many treatment services allow this, and you can contact them directly. Note that privately funded treatment services often require a referral from a doctor or psychologist, so it is a good idea to check by contacting a 24-hour alcohol and drug information service.

After you have made contact with a treatment service, an assessment will be arranged. This may be done over the phone, or face-to-face at first, and then your options for treatment can be discussed.

You may find waiting lists for some services, but these are usually short. If you have any special needs you may be referred to a specialist service, such as those dealing particularly with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, women, men, gay and lesbian people, parents with young children, young people, or people with particular mental health issues.

To take the next step in getting help, contact a support service in your state or territory or contact DrugInfo.

Last updated: 12 March 2011