“I was in pieces when i first came in – the staff were patient and kind and just listened at first before making any suggestions.
It was nice that no one was pushy regarding treatment. I didn’t feel as though I was being judged”
Directions provide a range of programs and services throughout the Canberra region that are available to people impacted by alcohol, drugs and other addictions, as well as to their families and the wider community. All of our services are completely confidential. They include:
Our programs can be tailored to suit the individual and are backed by the latest health and social research. We focus on reducing or limiting the harms caused by alcohol, drugs or other addictions and improving personal and public health. We do this in numerous ways, such as providing information and education, free sterile injecting equipment, practical health interventions, counselling, referral, support and detoxification and rehabilitation services.
Wellness
Centre
The Althea Wellness Centre offers health care services to anyone impacted by alcohol, drugs or other addictions, and does not have a GP.
The Centre focuses on providing a complete approach to health care by supporting clients and their families to live healthier lives. Read more…
House
Arcadia House detox, residential and day programs provide clients with the resources they need to successfully withdraw and abstain from alcohol and other drugs and to assist in developing positive life skills. The service is available to people aged 18 years and over. Participants are required to pay a weekly contribution towards accommodation and meals.
Arcadia House is located within the grounds of Calvary Hospital and offers a non-medicated withdrawal program, a short-term residential program, and a 12 week day program. Read more…
& Support
Directions provide free and confidential counselling and case management for individuals, families and friends affected by their own or another person’s use of alcohol, drugs or other addictions.
Support is also available for people with related issues including housing, relationships, employment, the legal system and health concerns.
The first step to accessing services is an initial assessment. This helps to make sure that a client’s treatment support plan addresses their needs and issues and provides the best possible treatment plan for them. The focus is on helping clients to identify their goals. Read more…
& Self-help
groups
Directions offer a range of support and self-help groups for individuals, families and carers. The purpose of these groups is for participants to work through their issues whilst gaining understanding and support from others in similar situations. For many people, sharing similar experiences help them to cope with alcohol, tobacco and other drug related issues. Read more…
The needle and syringe program is a public health initiative that provides free sterile injecting equipment, information on safe injecting practices, general health information and primary health care services to people who inject drugs. The program aims to reduce the spread of blood-borne viral and bacterial infections and to minimise drug related harms.
Directions manages the ACT needle and syringe program (NSP) and operates two primary NSP services at the following locations: Read more…
someone”
The Pathways treatment and support services offer people impacted by drug or alcohol related issues a range of non-judgemental, holistic, harm minimisation-based services. The Pathways programs are for people of all ages, including family members.
Pathways Bega Valley Pathways Eurobodalla Pathways Goulburn Pathways Monaro Pathways Murrumbidgee
For over 40 years Directions has delivered alcohol and other drug (AOD) support, awareness, education and treatment services to the Canberra community. A leader in the field, Directions is committed to enhancing workplace dynamics through the provision of high quality, relevant and informative AOD awareness sessions. Read more…
What you think about our service matters to us.
You have the right to:
- Have your concerns resolved fairly, promptly, confidentially and without retribution.
- Be treated with respect, listened to and taken seriously.
If you have a complaint, first contact the program Director. If the issue is not resolved to your satisfaction, you can contact the Directions Chief Executive Officer on
(02) 6132 4800 or by writing to:
Directions Health Services
PO Box 538 Woden ACT 2606
If you are still unsatisfied, you can contact the ACT Health Services Commissioner on (02) 6205 2222 or
by writing to:
GPO Box 158 Canberra City ACT 2601
