Support for Family and Friends

 

We provide a safe and confidential space for people to talk about their concerns for loved ones. We can provide information on the symptoms of withdrawal and effects of different drugs. Counselling or group work can help you find more effective ways of coping and communicating with your loved ones difficult behaviours.

You can contact us to arrange support on 1300 652 226,

More Information: 

Additional resources for families and carers are available in a variety of languages on the Your room website .

Family and Carer Support Organisations

Organisation Name

 Service Support Information

ISLHD Drug and
Alcohol Service

BeSMART Group Support

The BeSMART support service is directed at group support to aid carers in their journey alongside their loved one who experiences drug and alcohol problems.
1300 652 226
Illawarra Drug and Alcohol Service, The Orana Centre, 2 Rawson St, Wollongong
https://www.islhd.health.nsw.gov.au/groupprograms

Counselling Service

This service involves speaking to a trained counsellor in order to make positive changes to carers' lives, and to manage stress associated with caring for their loved one
Phone: 1300 652 226
https://www.islhd.health.nsw.gov.au/services-clinics/illawarra-drug-alcohol-counselling

Alcohol and Drug
Information Service
(ADIS) NSW

24/7 Support Line

Telephone line that carers can access to get immediate crisis, counselling and educational support.
Phone: 1800 250 015
https://yourroom.health.nsw.gov.au/getting-help/Pages/adis.aspx

Family Drug Support

Family Support Meetings

Open support meetings where families/carers/friends are able to share and express experiences, in a non-judgemental and safe environment
Phone:(02) 4782 9222
https://www.fds.org.au/meetings-and-events/

SAGE Individual Support

Online one-on-one support with a trained health professional that you select
https://sage.fm/fds

Support Line

Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Phone:1300 368 186
https://www.fds.org.au

Mental Health Carers
ARAFMI
Illawarra

Carer Workshop and Information Sessions

This service provides advocacy and support for carers whose loved ones’ mental health is being affected by substance use. They mainly focus on mental health as a whole through their various services.
Phone:(02) 4283 3993  And  (02) 4283 3499
17 Princes Hwy, Fairy Meadow NSW 2519
https://www.facebook.com/arafmiillawarra/

STRIDE

Family and Carers Program

Individual and group support is dedicated to all age groups of carers, from children, to young people and adults. This service mainly focuses on giving carers the skills to support their own mental health and wellbeing, and gives them the support to help the health and wellbeing of their loved ones.
Phone:(02) 4229 7254
https://stride.com.au

Nar-ANON Australia

Family Group Support

Targeted Indigenous services that focus on providing care and comfort to carers who are concerned about a loved ones drug and/or alcohol use in a culturally sensitive manner.
Albion Park Community Hall, Russell St, Albion Park
Phone:(02) 4257 3342
https://naranon.com.au

One DOOR

Family and Carer Program

This service acts as a directory service which points carers in the appropriate direction depending on their individual situation. This service caters for a range of carer needs including education, support groups and mental health.
Phone:1800 843 539
https://www.onedoor.org.au/

The Salvation Army

Counselling, Group Support and Community Education

The Salvation Army First Floor Program (FFP) is a complete, community-based drug and alcohol service supporting families and individuals in their recovery from drug and alcohol use, mental health support, grief and loss.
Foundery Family Centre, 132 Wentworth Street, Port Kembla, 2505
Telephone: (02) 4229 1079
Mobile:  0411 143 586
http://www.firstfloorprogram.org.au

Al-Anon Family
Groups Australia

Group Support Meetings

This service provides group support meetings to openly discuss experiences of carers, and especially focuses on coping with the effects of a loved ones alcohol use.
1300 252 666
https://www.al-anon.org.au/electronic#snsw

Alcoholics Anonymous

Group Support Meetings

Alcoholics Anonymous focuses on sharing experiences in a safe and caring environment, with anyone who may be going through the same experience. Alcoholics Anonymous encourages discussions between families and friends, and focuses mainly on alcohol sobriety.
Phone:1300 222 222
https://meetings.aa.org.au

Carer Gateway

Counselling Service, Peer Support and Coaching

8 am - 5 pm Monday to Friday
Phone:1800 422 737
https://www.carergateway.gov.au

Beyond Blue

24/7 Support Service Telephone Line

Telephone support line that provides mental health support services in crisis situations.
Phone:1300 22 4636
https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/get-immediate-support

Griefline

One-on-One Phone Counselling

Phone counselling service provides immediate care and support to people who are experiencing grief due to the effects of caring for a loved one who abuses drugs and alcohol.
Phone:1300 845 745
https://griefline.org.au

Care To Call Program

Care to call is a newly developed program which is free. The Care-to-Call service provides a compassionate person who will reach out to you once a week for a friendly check-in call
https://griefline.org.au

Lifeline

24/7 Crisis Support Line

This service is a short term support line in which carers are able to contact during times of crisis.
Phone:13 11 14
https://www.lifeline.org.au/131114/

NSW Health

Mental Health Line

Mental Health Line provides targeted mental health support via telephone. They provide professional help, and can help individuals determine what kind of service they need to seek to get the best help possible. They can also refer individuals to local health programs and services
Phone:1800 011 511
https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/mentalhealth/Pages/mental-health-line.aspx

Centrelink

Carer Payment and Carer Allowance

Payments and services if you provide care for someone with a severe disability, illness or a frail and aged adult.
211 Lake Entrance Road, Shellharbour NSW 2529 And
43 Burelli Street, Wollongong NSW 2500
Phone:132 717
https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/centrelink

1800 Respect

Safety Planning Service

Crisis support, Information, Referrals and Counselling for people who may be living with domestic violence.
1800 737 732
https://1800respect.org.au