Client Story: Learning how to live
Arrow Health’s program is not just for addiction but for life in general. I didn’t just learn how to get clean and stay clean, I learnt how to live a healthy and happy life. I learnt so much about myself and about communication, and self-awareness and behaviours and...
Teen drug use: Treating adolescent substance abuse
As a parent there is no way to guarantee that your child won’t ever take drugs or try illicit substances. However, there are ways that you can help delay use and reduce potential harms. The teenage years can be a time of experimentation and this may include risk...
Client Story: From prison to rehab
Will I get into rehab or not? This was all I was really asking myself before going to Arrow Health. I had a lot of time to think, I was in prison and the questions bounced around my head not allowing any other thoughts. The story of my road to recovery and rehab...
Michaela’s Story – My brother is a drug addict
I'm Michaela. My brother is a drug addict and I'd like to share my story. Last year when my brother completed his 30 days in rehab we had no idea how to handle the stressful situation and on top of that my brother had moved in with me after us not having had any...
Substance Use Disorder & Mental Illness: What is the relationship?
Substance use disorder (SUD) and other mental illness are complex conditions that often intersect, creating significant challenges for those affected. Understanding the relationship between these two is crucial for effective treatment and support. Mental illness and...
How to talk with your teen about alcohol
Parenting isn’t easy, and some days it might feel like no matter what you do, you can’t put a foot right. Especially when dealing with teenagers. This can make broaching sensitive topics like alcohol difficult to discuss. In a 2021 study conducted by Australian...
Ice addiction recovery is possible
1 in 75 people have used methamphetamine in the past year. According to data from the 2019 National Drug Strategy Household Survey overall methamphetamine use has been in decline over recent years however, among those regularly using methamphetamine, 50% of users...
What Is recovery?
Recovery is a change process, where one returns to a place of physical or mental health. Being in recovery is a commonly used term when referring to someone who is no longer in active addiction and continues to take action to change their behaviour, address their...
What is addiction?
Addiction is one of the most misunderstood chronic health conditions. It occurs when someone is unable to stop using a substance or engaging in an activity that causes physical or psychological harm, or impacts on everyday life. Addiction doesn’t discriminate, it...
Coping strategies for families living with a loved one suffering from addiction
Living with a loved one who is struggling with addiction can be an overwhelming and challenging experience for families. This journey can be tumultuous and fraught with emotional stress, financial strain, and a sense of helplessness. It’s not just the person with a...
Client Story: Ice destroyed my life
The 2022-23 National Drug Strategy Household Survey revealed a stark reality: 1.6 million Australians over the age of 14 have used crystal methamphetamine; including ice, speed, or base. Among them is Melinda Hansen, a 25-year-old woman from Melbourne whose story...
Common coping mechanisms
Living with a loved one who struggles with alcohol use disorder can be incredibly challenging and emotionally taxing. Family members often find themselves in a tough spot, feeling responsible for their loved one’s behaviour or downplaying how their actions affect...
My first day at Arrow Health: Alex’s Journal
I came to Arrow Health after two exhausting years of trying to get clean. For a while I had managed to stop using hard drugs every day and had cut things down to the occasional bender. But, I was still stuck on daily benzo’s just to feel comfortable. Each time I...
Client Story: Diary of the first day at Arrow Health
I came to Arrow after trying for about 2 years to get clean from all the drugs I was taking. I had managed to stop using hard/party drugs daily a year or so ago, and had cut it down to benders every few weeks and just using benzo’s on a daily basis to keep me “...