Navigating the AOD service system
If you or someone you care about is experiencing issues with alcohol or other drugs (AOD), sometimes it can be hard to know where to go for support.
But, the good news is help is available.
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Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS)
One way to find support is by calling 1800 250 015 to access the Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS) in your state or territory.
Staff on these phonelines can help you access treatment services such as community counselling, detoxification or residential rehabilitation. They can also provide other supports, including:
- brief counselling sessions
- strategies to help prevent relapse
- support to manage drug cravings
- advice on home-based withdrawal
- information and advice for family/friends who know someone experiencing an AOD issue
- information and answers for any general AOD inquiry. You do not need to be experiencing an alcohol or drug-related issue to call these numbers.
To help you navigate the AOD service system, we’ve put together the following information about how each service works around the country – so you know what to expect when making a call.
Who is on the other end? When you make a call to the ADIS in the ACT, your call is received by Community Health Intake – also known as ACT Health. Because of the variety of callers, the waiting time may be longer. Let the operator know you would like to be transferred to the Alcohol and Drug Information Service (or ADIS). The ADIS phoneline staff consist of social workers, nurses and psychologists.
What will we talk about? Staff will allow you to discuss what you are going through, and then will carry out a basic initial assessment and determine what the most appropriate referral is.
Is there a time limit? No time limit. You have plenty of leeway to unpack any thoughts or feelings you have about what is happening.
What happens if I decide I want access to treatment or other support? The ACT ADIS can provide internal referrals to their treatment services.
Can I be directly transferred through to a treatment or support service? Only for some internal services. In most cases, you will be put on a waiting list and contacted when there is availability. Staff can also provide contact details (over the phone, or via text or email) of external services if that is preferrable. You can then contact the service when it suits you.
What if I decide I’m not ready to access treatment or support yet? That’s ok! The call does not have to result in a referral to treatment or support. This will depend entirely on your readiness. You’re not committing to anything by making the phone call.
Who is on the other end? The NSW phoneline is staffed by trained counsellors including psychologists, nurses and social workers.
What will we talk about? You will be engaged in a brief counselling session to help you make sense of the issues you may be experiencing with alcohol or other drugs.
Is there a time limit? No time limit. You have plenty of leeway to unpack any thoughts or feelings you have about what is happening.
What happens if I decide I want access to treatment or other support? Staff will often do a pre-assessment screening – which involves taking down some details and asking a series of questions. The staff member will then use this to help locate a service that is suitable for you.
Can I be directly transferred through to a treatment or support service? Not in this case. Contact details can be provided to you over the phone or sent through a text message. You can then contact the service when it suits you.
What if I decide I’m not ready to access treatment or support yet? That’s ok! The call does not have to result in a referral to treatment or support. This will depend entirely on your readiness. You’re not committing to anything by making the phone call.
Who is on the other end? The phoneline is staffed by trained AOD counsellors, psychologists and social workers from Turning Point.
What will we talk about? You will be engaged in a brief counselling session to help you make sense of the issues you may be experiencing with alcohol or other drugs.
Is there a time limit? There’s no time limit, so you’ll have plenty of leeway to unpack your thoughts and feelings.
What happens if I decide I want access to treatment or other support? You will be provided with the contact details to your closest publicly funded treatment service.
Can I be directly transferred through to a treatment or support service? Not in this case. Contact details can be provided to you over the phone, or via email or text message. You can then contact the service when it suits you.
What if I decide I’m not ready to access treatment or support yet? That’s ok! The call does not have to result in a referral to treatment or support. This will depend entirely on your readiness. You’re not committing to anything by making the phone call.
Who is on the other end? The ADIS is a Queensland Health initiative delivered by Metro North Hospital and Health Service and is staffed by experienced AOD counsellors.
What will we talk about? The counsellor will be guided by you – things you might discuss include the drug of concern, how often it’s being used, supports you have around you and changes you might want to make.
Is there a time limit? No time limit. You have plenty of leeway to unpack any thoughts or feelings you have about what is happening.
What happens if I decide I want access to treatment or other support? The staff member can locate a service provider close to you and suited to your situation. They may also do a pre-assessment screening, which will likely involve taking down some details and asking a series of questions.
Can I be directly transferred through to a treatment or support service? Yes. Alternatively, the details can be provided to you over the phone, or via email or a text message. You can then contact the service when it suits you.
What if I decide I’m not ready to access treatment or support yet? That’s ok! The call does not have to result in a referral to treatment or support. This will depend entirely on your readiness. You’re not committing to anything by making the phone call.
Who is on the other end? The SA ADIS is staffed by trained counsellors including nurses, social workers and psychologists. If there is a wait time when you call, you can leave your details and request a call back.
What will we talk about? Staff will explore what issues you might be experiencing and detail the different support options available.
Is there a time limit? No time limit. You have plenty of leeway to unpack any thoughts or feelings you have about what is happening.
What happens if I decide I want access to treatment or other support? ADIS in South Australia is part of DASSA – Drug and Alcohol Services South Australia. This is a state-wide health service that offers a range of treatment services for people with alcohol, tobacco and other drug issues. The staff member can link you to the DASSA service appropriate to your needs.
Can I be directly transferred through to a treatment or support service? Not in this case. Instead, you will be put on a waiting list and contacted when there is an availability. Staff can also provide contact details (over the phone, or via text or email) of external services other than DASSA if that is preferrable. You can then contact the service when it suits you
What if I decide I’m not ready to access treatment or support yet? That’s ok! The call does not have to result in a referral to treatment or support. This will depend entirely on your readiness. You’re not committing to anything by making the phone call.
Who is on the other end? The phoneline is staffed by trained AOD counsellors, psychologists and social workers from Turning Point.
What will we talk about? You will be engaged in a brief counselling session to help you make sense of the issues you may be experiencing with alcohol or other drugs.
Is there a time limit? There’s no time limit, so you’ll have plenty of leeway to unpack your thoughts and feelings.
What happens if I want access to treatment or other support? You will be referred to one of the 16 AOD intake services that operate throughout Victoria. You will be referred to the intake service closest to your area.
Can I be directly transferred through to an intake service? Yes. Alternatively, the details can be provided to you over the phone, or via email or a text message. You can then contact the service when it suits you.
What if I decide I’m not ready to access treatment or support yet? That’s ok! The call does not have to result in a referral to a treatment service. This will depend entirely on your readiness. You’re not committing to anything by making the phone call.
Who is on the other end? Phoneline staff at the WA ADIS are all trained counsellors.
What will we talk about? Staff will help you discuss what you are going through and work to assess your needs based on the information you provide. They will then detail a number of different treatment and support options.
Is there a time limit? No time limit. You have plenty of leeway to unpack any thoughts or feelings you have about what is happening.
What happens if I decide I want access to treatment or other support? Staff will locate a provider or support service close to you. They will then often do a pre-assessment screening, which will likely involve taking down some details and asking a series of questions.
Can I be directly transferred through to a treatment or support service? Yes. Alternatively, the details can be provided to you over the phone, or via email or a text message. You can then contact the service when it suits you.
What if I decide I’m not ready to access treatment or support yet? That’s ok! The call does not have to result in a referral to treatment or support. This will depend entirely on your readiness. You’re not committing to anything by making the phone call.