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drug & alcohol services

How do you know when you need help for Drug & Alcohol (D&A) problems?

When your use of drug and alcohol interferes with your life at home, school, work and relationships
When other people tell you they think you have a problem
When you are having legal problems as a result of your D&A use such as offences committed when intoxicated eg driving, assaults etc.

Why is it important to get good information about D&A and services?

While most young people use drugs and alcohol to feel better it doesn't always turn out that way!

Danger: many young people get injured or involved in fights or sexual assaults when intoxicated
Law: many drugs are illegal and if caught using or dealing can result in criminal charges. Many young people get into trouble with the law when intoxicated
Harm prevention: many drugs are poisonous and can cause harm or death if taken in the wrong dose
Impact on mental/physical health: some young people can develop mental health disorders such as psychosis, anxiety, mood disorder or personality disorder as a result of drug use. Drug and Alcohol Directory PDF

What drug and alcohol services are available at ycentral?

Information: Up to date information about drugs and alcohol
Counselling: Individual and Groups

Referral to Specialist D&A services that may include:

Specialist counselling: especially relating to physical addiction/dependence
Specialist medical services: for medical treatment for the addiction or the physical effects of the addiction. Referrals can only be made by doctors for this service.
Community detoxification: people wanting to withdraw from a D&A substance can do so at home and continue their normal day to day life.
Hospital detoxification: where withdrawal will make the person physically unwell and they require medical supervision/support.
MERIT (Magistrate Early Referral Into Treatment) program: rehabilitation for young people whose criminal offences involves the use of D&A. Referrals to MERIT can only be made by the magistrate, police or solicitor
Opioid treatment programs: for the addiction to opiate drugs such as Heroin/Morphine/Codeine etc where the drug is replaced with a treatment drug such as Methadone and requires medical supervision
Cannabis clinic: information, education, counselling and support for young people wanting to stop or cut down their cannabis (marijuana) use. Canniabis Clinic Brochure

Where to get help

During Business Hours: 8.30- 4.30pm

Young People over 18 years -Central Coast Local Health District (Central Coast Area) Drug and Alcohol Intake Line (02) 4394 4880

Young People under 18 years - Youth Health (02) 4356 9333

After Business Hours (for all ages)

Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS) 1800 422 599, offers 24 hour advice, information and referral.

your rights and the law

In case of a drug and alcohol emergency go to the Emergency Department of your local hospital:

Call 000
Gosford Hospital (02) 4320 2111
Wyong Hospital (02) 4393 8000

Support and Counselling

Family Drug Support If you have a family member who has a drug or alcohol problem - Family Drug Support can help. They run workshops, have a newsletter and can get you in touch with support groups.
Youth Drug Support Australia 1300 368 186 (local call) - 1300 368 186 (local call)
YDS, youth drug support, is a website for young people. You'll find helpful info about drugs and alcohol. You can also chat with others and ask questions. If you're just having a rough time; you'll find honest answers to help you make some good choices.
Alateen
Alateen is a part of Al-anon - a worldwide program that supports people whose lives are affected by a family member's alcohol problems. Alateen is for teenagers (12 - 18yrs). They have meetings, books and a newsletter.
Counselling Online
An anonymous, free online counselling service (24 hrs,7days) for those with an alcohol or drug problem and their family members.

Information
- Drug Info Drug Information Clearinghouse run by the Australian Drug Foundation which has lots of information about drugs & alcohol - what they are, effects, risks.
- Community Drug Action Teams (CDAT) Information about what communities are doing around drug education locally.
- Celebratesafely Guidelines about how to have a good time and keep yourself safe.
- National Drugs Campaign
- Somazone Australian Drug Foundation question and answer site for queires about drug and alcohol issues.
- Alcohol Guidelines Australian Government, Department of Health and Ageing Alcohol Guidelines.
- NADA Network of Alcohol and Other Drug Agencies.
- Australian Drug Information Network
- NSCCAHS Brochure Drug and Alcohol Central Coast
- Useful Links Links to Other Services