Do I have a problem?

Get Help!


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      <p>Are you unsure whether someone you care for has a drinking or drug problem? If you observe any combination of the
          symptoms listed here we recommend you call the Alcohol Drug <a title="Helpline"
              href="https://alcoholdrughelp.org.nz/helpline/">Helpline</a> on <a href='tel:0800787797'>0800 787 797</a>.</p>
      <ul>
          <li>drinking too much (perhaps vomiting or experiencing a hangover)</li>
          <li>overdosing (losing consciousness)</li>
          <li>regular need for the alcohol or other drug</li>
          <li>having previous failed attempts to stop using</li>
          <li>significant changes in mood and/or behaviour</li>
          <li>a decline in health (mental and/or physical)</li>
          <li>neglecting responsibilities</li>
          <li>lowered productivity</li>
          <li>accidents</li>
          <li>financial problems</li>
          <li>deteriorating relationships at work and with family and friends</li>
          <li>doing things they normally wouldn’t do (such as illegal activities like stealing)</li>
      </ul>
      <p>While these same symptoms may be created by other causes, by speaking with someone at the Helpline, we can guide
          you through your options and help give you peace of mind. Call the Helpline on <a href='tel:080087797'>0800 787 797</a> to
          access free, confidential information, help and support.</p>
      <p>You can also get <a title="Other Resources" href="/helpline#resources">useful information</a> about drugs and alcohol on a number of other websites.</p>
  
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Is there a problem?


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      <p>Choose a time and place where the other person is relaxed and not intoxicated. It is better to ask a question
          than to make a statement. In this way you avoid appearing critical or judgmental. It is common for people to
          deny they have a problem. Remain calm and avoid arguing with the other person.</p>
      <p>If you are unsure of how to approach another person you might consider calling the Helpline on <a href='tel:080087797'>0800 787 797</a> for advice and guidance.</p>
      <p>You could encourage the other person to contact the Helpline or any other source of help.</p>
      <p>Remember, you cannot fix another person’s problem. They can only achieve that in their own time and for their own
          reasons. Sometimes fixing the problem requires skilled help. In the meantime you can be a friend or a ‘mate’,
          provide encouragement to make positive changes to their lifestyle.</p>
      <p>Your support as a friend may not be welcomed and you may not always feel appreciated. Your ongoing support will
          have a positive impact and can increase the chance the other person may seek help.</p>
      <p>You are not alone. As a support person you are welcome to call the Helpline for guidance
          and advice.</p>
  
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What can I do?


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      <p>When someone uses alcohol or drugs people around them can be affected in many ways.
          Family, friends and colleagues can find themselves in very stressful situations; emotionally, socially,
          financially, and physically.</p>
      <p>Living with other people’s problems can be hard.</p>
      <ul>
          <li>Work out where you stand; this will help you prepare yourself for situations that may occur by thinking
              through how you want to respond and behave.</li>
          <li>Each of us is responsible for our own behaviour; don’t accept blame for how someone else behaves.</li>
          <li>Look after yourself, especially if there is a risk of violence or abuse. Know who to contact and where to go
              for help.</li>
      </ul>
      <p>Protect children by providing them with support and a place of safety where necessary.
      </p>
      <p>If you are aware of others that have experienced similar situations you might seek their
          advice and guidance. They have been there,  they know what works and what might not work.</p>
      <p>The Alcohol Drug Helpline works with you and supports you to meet your own needs. The
          Helpline provides you with an opportunity to talk through the issues that impact you. Call the Alcohol Drug
          Helpline on <a href='tel:080087797'>0800 787 797</a>, or search our <a title="Directory"
              href="https://www.healthpoint.co.nz/mental-health-addictions/" target="_blank"
              rel="noopener noreferrer">service directory</a> for details of treatment providers in your area.</p>
  
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Caring for yourself


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      <p>Living with or supporting someone experiencing a severe substance (alcohol or other drug) addiction can be very
          stressful, distressing and confusing.</p>
      <p>Family and whānau may want to use the Substance Addiction (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 2017 to get
          their loved one into treatment.</p>
      <p>But compulsory assessment and treatment is a last resort and the Act can only be used after all other
          options have been tried without success.</p>
      <p><strong>Even if your loved one has serious addiction problems and all other options have been tried the Act may
              still not apply.</strong></p>
      <p>The Act will only apply to people who are very unwell due to severe substance addiction <strong>and</strong> who
          are unable to make their own decisions about treatment</p>
      <p>It is very unlikely that the Act will apply to someone under the age of 17.</p>
      <p>If someone can think through the consequences of their decisions, even if that decision is to refuse
          treatment, the Act can’t be used, no matter what we think about that choice.</p>
      <p>
        <a href="https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/mental-health-and-addictions/preparing-commencement-substance-addiction-compulsory-assessment-and-treatment-act-2017" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Read more information about the Substance Addiction (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 2017</a>.
      </p>
      
      <h3>How to make an application</h3>
      <p>If you believe that your family and whānau member has a severe substance addiction and is unable to make their
          own decisions about addiction treatment, you can apply to have them assessed, either through:</p>
      <ul>
          <li>an authorised officer, or</li>
          <li>your GP or other medical practitioner.</li>
      </ul>
      <p>Deciding to use the Act can be a difficult decision and an authorised officer, a trained health professional, can
          talk with you about the Act, support you to make the application if appropriate, and support you and your family
          and whānau member to get ongoing help.</p>
      <p>You can contact your GP, or local District Health Board or NGO alcohol and other drug service to arrange to talk
          to an authorised officer.</p>
      <p>Check out the resources we have on this site on <a href="/helping-others">helping others</a> or contact us on <a href='tel:0800787797'>0800 787 797</a> / SMS <a href="sms:8681">8681</a>.
      
      <h3>What happens if your family and whānau member meets all the criteria for use of the Act?</h3>
      <p>If the authorised officer thinks your family and whānau member may meet the criteria they will arrange for an
          assessment by an approved specialist.</p>
      <p>Approved specialists are health professionals that have been appointed by the Ministry of Health to make the
          final decisions about compulsory assessment and treatment.</p>
      <p>If the person meets all the criteria the approved specialist will sign a Compulsory Treatment Certificate and
          arrange health care and withdrawal management (detoxification) for your family and whānau member. After this it
          is likely that your family and whānau member will be transferred to a treatment centre that has been approved
          for this purpose by the Ministry of Health.</p>
      <p>You will be kept informed of when this will happen, where your family and whānau member will be and how to keep
          in touch. It may also be possible to visit and stay at the centre.</p>
      <p>In the treatment centre your whānau member will be under the care of health workers to stabilise their health and
          restore their ability to make decisions about addiction treatment.</p>
      <p>The purpose of compulsory treatment is to restore a person’s ability to make their own decisions about addiction
          treatment if possible. Once someone is assessed as being able to make decisions about treatment for addiction
          they will be discharged from the Act. If they decide at this stage to accept treatment this will be provided by,
          and at, a different service.</p>
      <p>When decision making ability is not restored or your family and whānau member does not want to engage in
          treatment, workers at your local alcohol and other drug service and at the treatment centre will talk with you
          and your whānau about what happens next.</p>

      <h3>What happens if your family and whānau member does not meet all the criteria?</h3>
      <p>The authorised officer will talk with you and support you with other options for getting help for your family and
          whānau member and yourself.</p>
      <h4>Looking after yourself is important</h4>
      <p>You do not need to do this on your own.</p>

      <h4>More information</h4>
      <p>You can get information and support for yourself and your family and whānau from: 
      <strong>Alcohol Drug Helpline:</strong> <a href="https://alcoholdrughelp.org.nz/">www.alcoholdrughelp.org.nz</a>; phone 0800 787
          797; text <a href='sms:8681'>8681</a></p>
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Compulsory assessment and treatment


      <h3>Why would a concerned other contact the Helpline?</h3>
      <p>The Helpline has available people with information, advice and guidance to assist you in understanding and caring for someone impacted upon by alcohol or other drugs. At the same time the Helpline can provide you with advice and guidance for looking after yourself.</p>
    

FAQs

Why would a concerned other contact the Helpline?


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      <h3>You Gave Me A Voice</h3>
      <p>“I think your service is excellent. It’s somewhere where we have a voice, and we are talking with someone who
          understands because you speak with lots of people who are in this boat. You’ve given a voice to the parents,
          siblings and friends where we can let out the hurt and the pain that we are feeling inside. I’ve noticed that
          you are   always positive, there’s nothing negative that’s ever said so it’s very uplifting. Another
          thing I noticed is that you empower people with ideas. You made it not about what you think and more about what
          I think which empowers  people to maneuver through the maze of doubt.”</p>
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Stories

You gave me a voice...

Alcohol & Drug

Nau mai, welcome to the Alcohol Drug Helpline. Our alcohol drug telephone helpline is only a call away. Call 0800 787 797, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to speak with a trained counsellor.

Our alcohol drug telephone helpline is only a call away. Call 0800 787 797, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to speak with a trained counsellor.

Helping Others