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Alcohol and Other Drug Services (AOD)

Note: this page is for AOD services in Victoria. Find out more about our services in South Australia.

To make a referral call us on (03) 9865 6700 and ask to speak to our intake worker.

Our Alcohol and Other Drug Recovery Services:

Thorne Harbour Health offers comprehensive alcohol and other drug recovery services. Our recovery programs are designed to meet each person's unique needs, integrating mental health, housing, and social support alongside alcohol and other drug care and treatment. Our programs are developed with a deep understanding of the challenges our communities face, offering a safe and inclusive space for people seeking help. Our services include alcohol and other drug counselling, case management, and support groups.

Alcohol and Other Drug Counselling:

Our experienced alcohol and other drug counsellors (AOD) provide LGBTIQ+ affirmative care, tailored to the needs of our clients.

Counsellors meet with clients in confidential one-on-one sessions. Together, we’ll discuss your concerns about your alcohol and other drug use and create a plan for changing your relationship with substances.

How can alcohol and other drug counsellors help me?

  • Learn more about how drugs affect your mental and physical health
  • Find ways to control or reduce your drug use
  • Stop using completely (some people call this being ‘sober’) and learn how to avoid relapse
  • Connect your family and friends with support, if your use is affecting them
  • Referral to other services, including support groups, rehabilitation and withdrawal.

Our alcohol and other drug counsellors can meet you in-person at our clinics in Melbourne or via telehealth. In some cases, counsellors will travel to meet you in a public space close to your home.

Case Management:

At Thorne Harbour Health, we offer case management services to support individuals facing complex challenges related to alcohol and other drug use, mental health, and overall wellbeing. Our case management team works with you to create a personalised care plan, coordinating the necessary resources and services to help you navigate your recovery journey.

What is Case Management?

Case management is a collaborative process where our team of experienced professionals works alongside you to assess your needs, set goals, and develop a comprehensive support plan. Our approach is holistic, taking into account all areas of your life, including health, housing, social connections, and more. Whether you're dealing with alcohol and/or other drug dependency, mental health concerns, or other life challenges, we are here to ensure you have the support you need to move forward.

Home Detox:

We offer non-residential withdrawal services (home detox) for individuals who may find it challenging to attend traditional support settings. Our in-home recovery program provides personalised care and support in the comfort of your own home, helping you address alcohol and drug use in a familiar, safe environment. You’ll work with a nurse from Thorne Harbour and your GP to safely withdraw from alcohol in your own home.

Support Groups:

Support groups provide a supportive environment for LGBTIQ+ individuals who are managing their relationship with alcohol and other drugs. Whether you’re exploring harm reduction strategies or working toward recovery, these support groups offer a space for open discussion, shared experiences, and mutual support.

THERAPEUTIC GROUPS
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Thorne Harbour Health offers therapeutic alcohol and other drug support groups throughout the year:

Anchor:

Anchor is an eight week program for gay, bi+, and queer men (including cis, trans and masc-identifying people) who want to change, control or stop their alcohol use. In a safe and supportive place, we’ll chat about sex, sexuality, health, relationships, and alcohol use - exploring these issues through group discussion.

Anchor is a confidential and non-judgmental group where we can talk about the role alcohol plays in our lives and our communities. The group will focus on when and why we drink, and we'll explore strategies to manage our alcohol use. We support all people to develop and reach their own goals around alcohol use, ranging from safer drinking and reduction, right through to stopping altogether.

Re-wired:

Re-wired is an eight week program for gay, bi+ and queer men, aimed at helping you learn skills and strategies to change your methamphetamine use and manage your mental health. The group focuses on topics including: relapse prevention, methamphetamine and the brain, HIV/STIs & sex, mental wellbeing and mindfulness, intimacy, and relationships. Participants identify their specific goals around their use, explore their triggers, and develop strategies to achieve their goals.

Drink Limits:

Drink Limits is an eight week program for lesbian, bi+ and queer women (cis, trans and female identifying) who are concerned about their drinking. Drink Limits is facilitated by two experienced counsellors. The group explores the barriers that get in the way of changing your drinking habits. It also offers a space to share techniques that might be useful in your goal to reduce or stop drinking and attain a level of resilience to deal with life’s problems in ways that don't include alcohol.

If you are interested in any of the above, please call us today on (03) 9865 6700.

Peer Support Groups
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TAPS:

Trans and Gender Diverse Alcohol and Other Drug Peer Support Group (TAPS) is a fortnightly peer support group for transgender, non-binary and gender diverse people looking to manage their alcohol and other drug use. TAPS is facilitated by trans, non-binary and gender diverse peers.

TAPS is about meeting you where you’re at, which may mean exploring how and why you are using, moving towards more control over your use, or stopping use all together. TAPS focuses on reducing the harms that can come from using alcohol and other drugs. In the group we will support you to identify your goals around your use and develop strategies to achieve these goals. Come for one session or attend regularly. TAPS runs fortnightly Tuesday from 6pm to 7:30 pm, alternating between Zoom and in-person at Thorne Harbour.

Re-Wired 2.0:

Re-Wired 2.0 is a fortnightly peer support group. The group is open to gay, bi+ and queer men who want support in a peer led environment to change, control or stop their methamphetamine use. This group is ongoing, which means that participants are welcome to come to as many or as few as they like. This group is not specifically abstinence based and has no spiritual or religious affiliations. The Re-Wired 2.0 program is free, and clients can attend on a drop in basis.

If you are interested in any of the above, please call us today on (03) 9865 6700.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How are Thorne Harbour’s LGBTIQ+ specific supports different from mainstream services?

At Thorne Harbour Health, we recognise that LGBTIQ+ individuals often face discrimination and a lack of culturally safe services. Our programs are designed to affirm diverse sexualities and gender identities, with staff who understand the specific pressures faced by LGBTIQ+ communities. We ensure that everyone can access the care they need without fear of judgment or misunderstanding.

What’s the cost?

All our services are free.

Who can get help?

All our clients must identify as one or more of the following:

  • Living with HIV
  • Non-heterosexual orientation
  • Trans or gender diverse

How can I get help?

Call us on (03) 9865 6700. Our intake team will ask you a few questions and help direct you to the right supports.

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