Addiction and recovery services

Pathways offers a variety of addiction and recovery services in the wider Wairarapa region including:

• Comprehensive assessment and treatment planning
• Referral to other services
• Harm minimisation and education around risk
• Drug and alcohol health screening
• Withdrawal support and detoxification management
• Psychosocial support
• Individual and family counselling
• Group programs

Alcohol and Drug Counselling

Our experienced alcohol and drug counsellors can offer support to you that is free and confidential.  This is a service that is available to anyone who has concerns about their own substance use (alcohol and/or other drugs) or that of a loved one. Counselling is completely tailored to individual needs and may include a focus on abstinence, harm reduction or relapse prevention.

Counselling can be offered one to one – which means it’s just you and the counsellor. These sessions provide the opportunity to talk to each other privately. Or you are also welcome to include a support person or family members as part of your counselling sessions.  Our aim is to provide a safe and welcoming environment that is inclusive and respectful.  We will both listen and guide you towards your own individualised recovery care plan.

Specialist Supports

The Pathways addiction service can also refer you to other services where it is identified that more specialist support is needed. This can include working towards an admission to a residential drug and alcohol treatment service and/or where co-existing mental health or medical conditions are impacting on your ability to recover. The need for more specialist supports can be identified together with your counsellor as you work towards positive change.

Youth services

Our youth team provides a drug and alcohol support service tailored to the needs of young people in our community, under our youth brand Real. We aim to reduce harm associated with alcohol and other drug use; and strive to assist youth in making positive choices by identifying strengths and building resilience. We provide counselling and intervention options to suit individual needs including group and family work.

Managed Withdrawal

We can offer safe and supported detoxification from alcohol or other drugs. Detoxification regimes are planned with you and managed by both your counsellor and a specialist withdrawal management nurse. Depending on your individual needs, this kind of treatment can be overseen at home, in our supported accommodation or in a hospital setting.

Group Programme

Pathways Addiction Service offers a group program that provides the opportunity for service users to address their recovery as part of a shared experience with others. This program is facilitated by trained and experienced staff who will lead the group in open discussions that have both a therapy and education framework.

The group model of care is unique in that it allows for service users to gain insights and supports from others with a shared experience.  Our group program runs three days per week for eight week’s duration and admission to ‘group’ can take place via care planning with your allocated counsellor.

Opioid Substitution Treatment (OST)

Opioid dependence is a complex, relapsing condition requiring specialist treatment. OST is a specific best practice treatment option for people who are wanting to achieve overall stability around the problematic use of opioids.

The OST programme provides a combination of specialist medications alongside psychosocial supports. Our team of both counselling and medical staff provide individual case management to service users including assessment and goal planning. The overall aim of the OST programme is to support you to reduce overall risks, improve health and wellness and prevent relapse either during or post treatment.

Accessing Pathways Addiction Services

You are most welcome to self-refer to our service.  This can happen by presenting in person at reception or calling us directly on 0800 208 4278 or (06) 370 6102.

We can also receive a referral for you from other community health providers. You may like to raise your request for support with your doctor, nurse, social worker or school counsellor who can refer to us on your behalf.

You are equally welcome to speak to us about concern for a loved one who is drinking alcohol or using drugs. In this instance we can work alongside you to support and guide you around how best to proceed.