Counselling and support for drinking

Where can I get help with drinking apart from my GP?

There's a lot of help available, and much of it is free. You can use one kind or several, and your GP can help you choose.

• Counselling with a psychologist, counsellor or drug and alcohol worker.
• Phone and online help, any time of day or night.
• Peer support groups, where people help each other change their drinking.
• Public drug and alcohol services, including counselling and withdrawal support.
• Residential rehabilitation, when you need more intensive support.

Can I see a psychologist for drinking through Medicare?

Yes, if your GP prepares a mental health treatment plan. Medicare then pays part of the cost of up to 10 individual sessions a calendar year with a psychologist or another eligible therapist.

The plan is for people with a mental health condition with at least moderate needs, which can include problems with alcohol. Your GP refers you for up to 6 sessions to start, and can refer you for more after that.

Psychologists set their own fees, so ask what you'll pay after the Medicare rebate. If you're registered with MyMedicare, the plan usually comes from your registered practice.

Counselling for drinking often uses approaches like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and motivational interviewing. They help you understand your patterns and plan for the hard moments.

Is there help with drinking I can call or use online?

Yes. These services are free and confidential, and you don't need a referral.

• National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline: 1800 250 015. Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It connects you to the alcohol and drug information service in your state; in NSW, that's the Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS).
• [Counselling Online](https://www.counsellingonline.org.au): text-based chat and email counselling, 24 hours a day, for people worried about their own drinking or someone else's. It's run by Turning Point.
• Family Drug Support: 1300 368 186. A 24-hour line for family and friends.

These aren't emergency services. If someone is in danger, call 000. If you're in crisis or thinking about suicide, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

What are SMART Recovery and AA?

They're free peer support groups where people help each other change their drinking. Some people prefer one, some use both, and some find groups aren't for them.

• [SMART Recovery](https://smartrecoveryaustralia.com.au) runs free weekly meetings led by a trained facilitator, using practical tools based on cognitive behavioural therapy. You can join online or in person.
• [Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)](https://aa.org.au) follows the Twelve Steps, with free meetings across Australia and online. Its help line is 1300 222 222.

What do NSW public drug and alcohol services offer?

Each NSW local health district runs a public drug and alcohol service. You can usually contact them yourself, without a GP referral.

Services usually include assessment, counselling, group programs, help with withdrawal at home or in a unit, and help finding rehab. Call ADIS on 1800 250 015 to find your local service.

Where can I get help with drinking in the Illawarra?

The Illawarra Shoalhaven Drug and Alcohol Service is the local public service. Its information and referral line is 1300 652 226, open during business hours. It's free and confidential.

It offers counselling, group programs and withdrawal management, with services in Wollongong and Nowra. Families and carers can contact it too. Outside business hours, call ADIS on 1800 250 015.

What is residential rehab, and how do I get in?

Residential rehabilitation means living at a service for a period of weeks or months, with daily counselling, group work and support. It's for people who need more than help they can get while living at home.

There are public, not-for-profit and private services. Many have waiting lists, and most ask you to finish withdrawal first. Costs range from free or low-cost to expensive private programs, so ask what's included.

Your GP, your local drug and alcohol service or ADIS can help you find a place that suits you. This is general information; your GP can help you work out which kind of support fits.