Many people have alcohol and other drug dependencies as the result of a combination of personal and complex underlying experiences or conditions. Abuse of alcohol and other drugs (AOD) can lead to illness, injuries sustained while intoxicated, brain damage and respiratory problems. The damage caused by AOD does not just affect the individual but also becomes a big issue for their family, friends and ultimately the greater community.
We work with key partners, including the Western Sydney Local Health District Drug Health, the Network of Alcohol and Other Drugs Agencies, and the Agency for Clinical Innovation, to determine AOD priority groups in our region. As the Western Sydney Primary Health Network, we then commission AOD services that empower community members to address the root cause of their addictions and employ healthier coping strategies. Some of these services include:
- Baabayn Aboriginal Corporation: Resilience Project
- Community Restorative Centre: Pathways Home and Prison Transition
- headfyrst program: Enhanced Rehabilitation Capacity
- Marrin Weejali Aboriginal Corporation: Increased Capacity for ATSI
- Odyssey House: AOD Services
- Odyssey House: Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) AOD Care and Support Services
- Ted Noffs Foundation: Enhanced Rehabilitation Capacity
- Ted Noffs Foundation: Deadly Dreaming
- We Help Ourselves: Co-occurring mental health and AOD Residential Rehab
- Youth Off The Streets: Dunlea Alcohol and Other Drugs Youth Service
Service Provider Spotlight: Odyssey House
Odyssey House is committed to building safe and healthy communities by helping break their dependence on AOD. People from all ages and walks of life are provided with free treatment, counselling, education and aftercare support. Since July 2020, Odyssey House has supported 2,655 people with AOD issues from Western Sydney.
Alcohol and Other Drugs Recovery Groups is a program run by Odyssey House designed for people who are driven to make a change. Trained health professionals provide support, counselling and assistance to create goals and develop individual recovery plans. Weekly peer groups provide support throughout the program. Each course participant is encouraged to develop new skills to help maintain their recovery and avoid relapse by learning about:
- Building sustainable healthy habits
- Recognising negative thought patterns
- Better manage their stress and relaxation techniques
- Problem-solving
- Identifying and building social support networks
- Recognising high-risk situations and how to avoid triggers
Odyssey House is now also offering CALD-specific AOD care and support services, recognising that over half of residents in Western Sydney were born overseas or are from non-English speaking backgrounds. This service includes one-on-one and group support as well as assisting families and communities in partnership with multicultural community organisations.
You can contact the Odyssey House team to discuss referral pathways on 1800 397 739.
AOD Resources for GPs
- More information about AOD services and programs that we support are on the WentWest website
- SafeScript NSW is a software program developed to provide information for prescribers and pharmacists about high-risk medications being prescribed and dispensed to patients from multiple prescribers which places them at increased risk of harm. Find out more about SafeScript
- Living with Alcohol Dependency is a series of videos featuring Western Sydney community members with AOD issues sharing their experiences about receiving treatment, lifestyle changes they have made and advice about staying alcohol-free
The videos – Western Sydney Stories and Aboriginal Stories are available on our YouTube channel. GPs can also access, view and share the videos with patients via GoShare.
- Getting Help with Alcohol and other Drug Dependence is an animated video designed to help community members find their way from AOD dependence toward a happy and healthy future. The video is available in English, Arabic, Dari, Farsi and Tamil.
These videos are also available on GoShare for GPs to view and share. For access to GoShare visit HealthPathways or email our HealthPathways team at: healthpathways@wentwest.com.au
Published on Thursday 21 September 2022.