Ngā ratonga haumanu ā-hapori Community treatment services
Who community treatment services are for
Community treatment services are suitable for people who want to:
- reduce harm from alcohol and other drug use
- achieve recovery
- reduce stigma.
Who provides the service
Community treatment services are provided by:
- regional community alcohol and drug services
- non-governmental organisations
- private providers.
You may be able to receive support from several services at the same time. For example, you may seeing a counsellor or attending a peer support group, and want to phone a helpline counsellor when you need to.
If you are told a service has a waiting time, do not let this put you off making contact. Other supports can be put in place while you wait. Ask the service what they suggest.
Counselling
Counselling is for anyone who would like to work with a counsellor one on one.
Who provides it
Counselling is provided by regional services, non-governmental agencies, and private providers.
How much it costs
Regional and non-governmental services are free.
Private providers charge a fee.
What to expect
Counsellors can help you make the changes you want to make, and help you get into other treatment.
How to access it
Contact your healthcare provider, the community alcohol and drug service (CADS) in your region, or contact a helpline.
Withdrawal management (detox)
Detox is for anyone who wants to stop using alcohol or drugs after regular, heavy use.
Who provides it
It is provided by regional community services and non-governmental organisations. In high risk situations, withdrawal management may be provided in a specialist hospital unit.
How much it costs
This is a free service.
What to expect
Detox generally has some form of withdrawal symptoms. For most substances, symptoms last 2 weeks. Depending on the substance, many symptoms can be safely managed without the use of medication, or specialist medical or nursing input.
Withdrawal symptoms — psychoactive substances
When specialist addiction services are required
Detox is best managed by specialist addiction services when:
- withdrawal symptoms are potentially intense
- withdrawal symptoms are life threatening
- the person going through withdrawal has coexisting problems.
How to access it
Contact your healthcare provider, the community alcohol and drug service (CADS) in your region.
If you are told a service has a waiting time, do not let this put you off making contact. Other supports can be put in place while you wait. Ask the service what they suggest.
Peer group support
Peer group support is for people who would like to be supported by others who have had a problem, and are working hard not to use drugs or alcohol.
Who provides it
Peer group support is provided by Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous.
Alcoholics Anonymous
- Call: 0800 229 6757
- Email: help@aa.org.nz
- Visit: Alcoholics Anonymous
Narcotics Anonymous
- Call: 0800 628 632
- Email: help@nzna.org
- Visit: Narcotics Anonymous
How much it costs
These are free services.
What to expect
You meet with others to share experiences and strategies for managing recovery.
Group sessions
Group sessions are for people who would like to know more about the effects of alcohol and drugs, and talk to other people about these.
Who provides it
They are provided by regional community services, non-governmental organisations, and private counselling services.
Contact the community addiction service at your hospital.
How much it costs
These sessions are free.
What to expect
They are also an opportunity to have one on one counselling sessions.
Day programmes
Day programmes are for people who need intensive support with their alcohol or drug problem, but a residential live-in programme is not suitable for them.
Who provides it
They are provided by regional community services and non-governmental organisations.
To be put in contact with a service provider, contact the addiction service at your hospital. You can also contact a helpline.
Alcohol and drug helpline
- Call: 0800 787 797
- Text: 868
- Visit: Alcohol and drug helpline
How much it costs
These are free programmes.
What to expect
Day programmes (sometimes called an intensive outpatient programme) can include 3 to 4 group sessions every week, for up to 8 weeks.
Opioid substitution treatment
Opioid substitution treatment is for people who want to come off drugs like:
- homebake
- codeine
- morphine
- fentanyl
- oxycontin.
Who provides it
This treatment is provided by regional community services, non-governmental agencies, and some doctors.
Ask for a referral from your healthcare provider, or contact the local community addiction service at your hospital.
How much it costs
This treatment is free.
What to expect
Opioid substitution can include medication that reduces cravings and withdrawals.
What is opioid substitution treatment — Te Pou (external link)
OST and you: a guide to opioid substitution treatment — Te Pou (external link)
Drink and drug driving intervention programmes
These programmes are for people who have been charged with driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. Your legal advisor may suggest you attend a course before your court appearance. A judge or probation officer may order you to attend the course.
Who provides it
Various organisations around Aotearoa New Zealand.
How much it costs
The cost varies, so make sure to check.
What to expect
You will attend weekly group sessions for 6 to 8 weeks.
How to access the programme
To find out what courses are available contact the addiction service at your hospital, or a community probation officer.
Community probation officer — Department of Corrections (external link)
You can also contact a helpline.