What is multidimensional family therapy?
Multidimensional Family Therapy is a comprehensive family and community-based therapy for adolescents with drug abuse problems. The model focuses on the relevant social and emotional needs at different stages in adolescent development. It is designed to treat both...
The transtheoretical model – Is my loved one ready to change?
What Is the Transtheoretical Model and Why Does Arrow Health Use It? Change is a process and often there are two steps forward, one step back. When treating addiction, the Transtheoretical Model is based on 6 basic stages of change. In a perfect world, people would...
Neuroscience of addiction – What we do know
When a drug enters the body, it interacts with the brain. Different addictive substances affect the brain in different ways, although most drugs target the brain’s reward system by releasing large amounts of a neurotransmitter called dopamine. Dopamine has a large...
10 Things to understand about dual diagnosis and treatment
If you or your loved one have been given a ‘dual diagnosis’ by a treatment professional, it may add another layer of confusion to a drug or alcohol addiction. Here are ten things to understand about what it means to have a dual-diagnosis, and why it is common in those...
Client Story: This rehab was different
This rehab was different to the others i'd been to... Arrow Health was not my first rehab. I actually came to Arrow after leaving another rehab where I was horrified at the way the program and facility was run. The staff here have been helpful and open to hearing...
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...