There are a number of ways you can access help and support if you feel like you need help with regard to ice. It depends on what type of help you feel that you need, how urgently you require it, and whether you, or someone else is at immediate risk.
IN AN EMERGENCY – ALWAYS CALL '000'
If you, or someone else, is in an EMERGENCY situation, and in need of immediate medical help, we recommend you call the national emergency assistance number for ambulance, police and fire response - '000'.
YOUR GP
Some people see their GP as a first point of call. Often they have an existing relationship with a GP and feel comfortable talking with them about their health or life issues. For others, talking about ice with someone like a GP is too confrontational and not an option. If this is you, don’t worry. There are plenty of other options – read on.
YOUR LOCAL SUPPORTS
Check out what is available to you locally to see what supports are available. It might be your school, university of TAFE counsellor, or the local Community Health Centre. They can be good environments to have a talk with someone about your ice use. There are also other anonymous options that may be more appropriate for you.
24/7 DRUG AND ALCOHOL HELPLINES – AVAILABLE AUSTRALIA-WIDE
Confidential and free alcohol and drug information, counselling and referral helplines are available in each state and territory of Australia, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. These helplines are staffed by qualified and experienced counsellors who understand the issues and will not judge you. They're there to talk about whatever you want and it’s completely confidential and anonymous. The number below will divert to your local state or territory service.
National Alcohol and Other Drug Helpline: 1800 250 015
ONLINE COUNSELLING AND SUPPORT
For some people, the idea of talking to someone in person or over the phone can be quite intimidating.
Counselling Online is an Australia-wide service for anyone seeking help or information about drug and alcohol-related issues. They offer real time, online, text-based counselling with professionals. The service is free, it's open 24/7 and people can use it as often as they want.
The counsellors at Counselling Online work from the individual's identified needs, much like telephone based providers. They offer assessment, counselling, referral and information and they will respect your ability to make informed choices for yourself. They can help plan out next steps and will put you in touch with other services, such as face-to-face or telephone counselling, if that's what you decide.
There are no restrictions on the number of times people can use the service. The counsellors will work with you to identify your next stage of treatment at face to face or telephone services if that is what is required.
Counselling online is a confidential service, except where Counselling Online has a duty of care to clients who may:
- Be at serious risk of harm to themselves
- Be at serious risk of harm to others
- Identify issues that could lead to significant child protection concerns
- You can access Counselling online 24/7 at www.counsellingonline.org.au
DRUG TREATMENT SERVICES
If ice use is affecting someone’s physical and/or mental health, family, relationships, work, school, financial or other life situation, it’s can be a good idea to seek professional help. What that means will often vary from person to person and immediate success can never be guaranteed.
We have included the details of support services that are available in our ‘Get Help’ section. If you are seeking professional help you are strongly encouraged to contact these services for confidential advice in the first instance.
Support services range from anonymous telephone or online counselling and referral services, to intensive withdrawal services based either in residential settings or living in the community. What suits will depend on where the person is at and what they are willing to commit to. For most people, that is something that can vary along their journey. In general, people have better outcomes in treatment when it is their decision and they make a voluntary choice to get help.
This is not to say that seeking drug treatment will stop a person using ice straight away. The complexity of drug use means that often drug treatment works only partially or for a short period of time, or sometimes not at all. After treatment a person can have relapses. Relapse is common and is often part of an individual’s journey. Supporting a person when they have relapses can be a real challenge but it can make a big difference to them in the long run.
Treatment can be developed in consultation with the person and is influenced by their specific needs. An individualised treatment plan will be developed and may change over time.
Support services are available for you and also for your family and friends if they feel it would help them.
Government funded alcohol and drug treatment is available in each state. For an anonymous and confidential chat about what your options are, call the alcohol and drug helpline in your state.
After you have made contact with a treatment service, an assessment will be arranged. This may be done over the phone, or face-to-face at first, and then your options for treatment can be discussed.
There may be a waiting list for some services, but if the appropriate treatment is not available at a particular agency, referral can be made to services elsewhere.
It is worth noting that there are also private providers of treatment in the community which offer services on a purely fee for service basis. It is important that when deciding to engage any kind treatment services that costs and expectations are explained up front. This is particularly true when large sums of money are involved and where one of the outcomes can be a person relapsing.
OTHER HELP SERVICES:
Lifeline – 13 11 14 or https://www.lifeline.org.au/Get-Help/Online-Services/crisis-chat
1800RESPECT – national counselling helpline, information and support 24/7 – for anyone experiencing sexual assault or domestic or family violence.
Headspace - 1800 650 890 or www.headspace.org.au. Free online and telephone service that supports young people aged between 12 and 25 and their families going through a tough time.
Beyond Blue - 1300 22 4636 or https://www.beyondblue.org.au. Support, advice and action for mental health issues.
Family Drug Helpline - 1300 660 068 or http://sharc.org.au/program/family-drug-help. Family Drug Helpline offers a confidential telephone service which provides support to family members 24/7.