Vicky

Addiction Psychiatrist

I realised that people who become addicted aren’t bad people, they’re regular people who’ve faced adversity in their lives and been led to drugs as a way to cope or even survive. We need to recognise that addiction is a signal that people need help and that it is a health issue that can be treated.

Teddy

Service Manager

Our job is not to “fix” people. It is to facilitate their individual recovery journey and embrace the notion that from “little things big things grow”.

Linda

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GP put me in touch with a service. They saved my life. Don’t quit till the miracle happens they tell me. Funny how it works out if you give yourself a chance.

Cindy

Single Mum

I realised I had to stop lying. Lying to myself and to them. Two kids, no house, no mates. I had nothing. I thought, I need to stop this. Now I go once a week to see my counsellor. I made a promise to myself I would try this. It’s working so far.

Craig

Group Facilitator

Looking back, addiction in one form or another had always controlled my life. In the end the drinking, gambling and drugs caught up with me and those I loved. But rehab gave me the break I needed. My life has turned around thanks to the support I received and the courage I took to look for help.

Oscar

Peer Support Worker

I spent three years using various substances to feel ‘ok’ in my own skin after years of vicious bullying from my peers. After two years of multiple attempts I completed my final detox and began to engage in peer support communities for help. I am now over 11 years clean and work in the support communities that helped me.

Shanna Whan

CEO

I was a professional woman with great hair and make-up by day, and a virtual derelict in my own home after 5 o'clock. Now, almost 6 years recovered from alcoholism, I will always advocate fiercely for hope, change, and possibilities.

Kirsten

Playwright

I had experienced significant childhood trauma which I normalised. From the age of 13 I drank to blackout. One day a friend asked, ‘how’s the drinking going’ and I broke down. I rang a helpline that morning and my life started to turn around.

David

Dad

I’ve learnt to be more careful with who I have in my life, I guess that’s been one of the biggest changes. I have choices now. Before it was just drink, gamble, repeat

Anonymous

Chef

Eventually I staggered into this place and people looked after me. I think the thing is to keep trying. It’s not about stopping because other people tell you. It’s about stopping because you want to.

Tam

Mum

I felt something. That was the start. Once I started feeling like I could talk about it I could see the trauma and hurt. There were years when I couldn’t speak about being abused as a child and I think that stopped me from getting help.

Allen Christensen

Former AFL Player

Gambling is very much ingrained in Australian culture. It was only when a mate sat me down that I knew I had to stop. Talking to others with lived experience has been the most powerful tool in my recovery and I want to let others know that a weight is lifted off you when you reach out for support.