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People who experience drug dependence experience stigma, discrimination and ongoing impacts of criminalisation. This leads to a wide range of social and health inequities and requires an integrated approach in providing appropriate health care. Many people experiencing AOD dependence need multidisciplinary approaches to primary health care. Accessing specialist public mental health services remains the most challenging issue for individuals with co-occurring AOD dependence, mental health conditions and complex health and social needs.
Althea Wellness Centre is a primary and secondary health care service that provides integrated multidisciplinary care for clients with current or past alcohol and drug dependency, complex health and social needs in collaboration with other programs and services. Althea is comprised of GP, nursing, psychiatry, psychology, non-dispensing pharmacist and AOD practitioners, supported by reception staff and management. Althea is located at Directions Health Services’ Woden site. The service is additionally funded by CHN and ACT Health to provide outreach to several other locations within the ACT to reduce barriers to health care and better engage people at-risk of poor health outcomes and hard to reach population groups.
Althea Wellness Centre is currently operating at full capacity, demonstrating a consistently high demand for service. Over the last year, 1,364 clients access the service, with 7,242 occasions of service. This service has been very well endorsed by service users who would otherwise find it very difficult to access specialist, multidisciplinary primary health care including access to a GP, psychiatrist, psychologist, non-dispensing pharmacist, AOD practitioners and other referring clinicians who provide additional support to patients. 100% of service users would recommend the service to peers in need of assistance and 100% of service users were satisfied with the services provided by the Althea team. The service works closely with Directions AOD and psychosocial teams, ensuring clients receive holistic person-centred care.
The service has been life changing for clients with co-occurring conditions who have previously experienced greater health inequities, including high rates of avoidable hospitalisations, due to lack of access to specialist care. Althea has continued to see clients in person throughout the current COVID-19 pandemic, with screening and safety measures, offering telehealth alternatives where appropriate.
Client story
In 2020, Binh* (not her real name) initially sought support from Directions Treatment & Support Services to address her alcohol dependence and develop strategies to cope with triggers. Binh’s personal journey involved many traumatic experiences, including homelessness, sexual assault and domestic violence, co-occurring mental health issues, self-harm, losing custody of her children and challenges with alcohol dependence. She felt overwhelmed with hopelessness and helplessness and was experiencing panic attacks, had very low mood, had difficulty sleeping and in poor physical health.
In 2021, Binh began engaging with Althea Wellness Centre. Over the course of 2 years, Althea GPs, nurses and psychiatrist, along with AOD practitioners, provided persistent support and shared care for Binh. This collaborative approach aimed to simultaneously address her alcohol use disorder, anxiety and depression and physical well-being. She was treated for injuries sustained from physical and sexual assault and self-harm and was provided psychological support. She was also experiencing a range of other complex issues, including financial and legal difficulties, and was linked with Legal Aid. While her mental and physical health needs were addressed, she continued to experience difficulties with her alcohol dependence.
Over the course of 2022, Binh’s improved mental and physical health empowered her to work towards developing strategies to mitigate her dependence on alcohol. She felt a renewed sense of hope and motivation to overcome her alcohol dependence, and was referred to Toora Women where she successfully participated in an abstinence based AOD day program. Althea maintained contact and support with Binh while she continued to engage with Toora, to ensure continuity of care and support along her journey.
Binh’s journey to recovery exemplifies the strength and resilience she possesses, despite enduring significant hardships and trauma. Through the collaborative efforts of Althea clinicians, Binh has been able to address her alcohol use dependence, improve her physical health, access specialist mental health assessment and treatment and regain a sense of purpose.
