Capital Health Network

Women who experience alcohol and other drug (AOD) dependence and/or have lived experience of AOD dependence in the ACT experience significant stigma, discrimination and barriers to accessing health care. This leads to a wide range of social and health inequities, therefore supporting women to address AOD dependence issues requires a person-centred approach. Peer based health promotion is a powerful method for empowering women holistically to make healthier choices by feeling more connected to community members who have lived experience.

The Toora Women AOD Service (and Day Program) is an evidence-based health program for women to help them learn the skills they need to live a full and meaningful life free from alcohol and other drugs dependence. It is an 8-week group program, and each client is allocated their own case coordinator to develop their individual treatment plan and to make sure they receive a full wrap-around service of supports. Clients are supported in an affirming, women-led community through harm minimisation strategies to better address the determinants behind their AOD dependencies and feel empowered to have improved mental health and holistic wellbeing.

The Toora AOD Service (and Day Program) provides a safe and respectful environment for women to build relationships with one another to learn from each other and explore personal issues that led to their AOD dependence. It allows women to challenge harmful behaviours; to trust and build on their strengths; develop new skills; and make positive choices for the future.

Over the last year Toora supported 179 clients through AOD services. Toora clinical services continue to offer Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and motivational interviewing-based counselling and mindfulness groups, targeting past traumas, using a strength-based approach. The Clinical Team worked closely with all clients either in the Day Program or in the Residential Service to ensure that the underlying drivers to addiction were addressed, allowing clients to comprehensively treat their substance misuse. Toora has continued to experience an increase in co-morbid mental health conditions, such as Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD), schizophrenia, bipolar and borderline personality disorder. Toora clients from residential, counselling and Day Program rated Toora incredibly well in ‘satisfaction by organisation’ against other services within the ACT. When broken into service types, Toora rated highest for satisfaction for residential and 87.5% satisfaction for non-residential programs. During Jan.-June 2024, Toora also experienced an increase in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation, a 66% increase from the previous 6-month period.