Rehab in Adelaide: What's Right For You?
21 Jan 2025
For many people, alcohol and other drugs (AOD) are part of everyday life. But sometimes, finding the right balance can feel really hard, and you might feel like your use is controlling you, instead of the other way around. If you find yourself struggling, where can you go in Adelaide to find help?
You’ve probably heard of rehab in Adelaide, but there’s another option worth thinking about. If you’re not ready to quit alcohol and other drugs completely, harm reduction support could be a better fit for you.
Thorne Harbour Health has a special AOD service for LGBTIQA+ people, built around a harm reduction approach. Let’s take a closer look at what harm reduction is and how it compares to rehab.
What is Rehab?
Rehab is for people who want to stop using alcohol and other drugs altogether. It often starts with medical help to manage withdrawal, often in a centre where you'll stay for a period of a few days to several weeks, followed by counselling and support to stay off substances for good.
While rehab works well for some, not everyone feels ready to take that step.
Many people succeed after attending rehab, improving their health and quality of life. However, only about 59% of Australians who receive treatment for substance use actually complete their treatment program. Roughly half of those who complete their program struggle to remain abstinent afterwards.
What is Harm Reduction?
Harm reduction is about helping people stay safe while using alcohol and other drugs. It’s a way to reduce the negative effects that might come with AOD use, without forcing anyone to stop using completely.
At Thorne Harbour Health SA, we believe alcohol and drugs are part of the world we live in. While alcohol and drugs are used by many people in different ways and settings, and for various reasons, it doesn’t mean we ignore the harm they can cause. Instead, our goal is to help people make safer choices and improve their wellbeing in a way that works for them.
Our team is here to support you, not judge you. We want you to feel in control of your health and empowered to take steps that make sense for your life.
Harm reduction can include things like:
- Identifying and creating safe spaces to use substances
- Information on using AOD safely
- Strategies to support your mental health
- Tools to prevent overdoses
- Support to help reduce your use if that’s what you want
At Thorne Harbour Health SA, we focus on counselling, peer, family and group support, and care and recovery support.. Whether you’re looking to cut back, use in safer ways, or explore options like rehab or detox, we’re here to help you figure out what works best for you.
Rehab vs. Harm Reduction: Which is Right for You?
Harm reduction helps people stay as safe as possible while using alcohol and other drugs. It’s great for anyone who isn’t ready to stop completely but wants to make some changes. With harm reduction, you’re in control of your choices, and we’re here to support you along the way.
Comparing the success rates of harm reduction and rehab is like comparing apples and oranges. The goals of the two practices are very different. Alcohol rehab Adelaide or drug rehab Adelaide may be right for someone ready to stop using substances, but many people don’t feel prepared to leave their AOD use behind – even if they want to change. If that sounds like you, our friendly AOD services team may be able to help.
Who are our AOD services right for?
Harm reduction is for anyone who wants to reduce the risks associated with drug and alcohol use. At Thorne Harbour Health SA, we offer support to LGBTIQA+ folks and people living with HIV who want to change their relationship with alcohol and other drugs. Our services are affirming, welcoming, and free of charge for all members of our communities looking for support.
For more information on Thorne Harbour Health SA’s AOD Services, head here. You can learn more about our weekly SMART group support sessions here.