People recovering from alcohol and other drug issues can now access a Grampians Community Health program that will help them to avoid relapses.
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Making a Change is a non-residential rehabilitation program based around relapse prevention and gives participants skills and confidence to continue their recovery.
Grampians Community Health's (GCH) new Manager of Family Violence and Healthy Communities programs, Gemma Beavis, and Healthy Communities program leader, Jacinta Smith, say a lot of people recovering from AOD problems may not be aware of the benefits of Making a Change.
"It supports participants who have had issues with their alcohol or other drug use to become more employable and improves their self-esteem, conflict management skills, communication and relationship skills," Ms Beavis said.
"It is recovery-focused and gives people additional strategies to avoid relapses. It's about remaining motivated to have that long-term change and having the skills to be able to do that. We can support motivated people to fill in the missing puzzle pieces."
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There has been a significant increase in AOD-related problems in the region over the past 18 months.
Ms Beavis said the program had an excellent track record in helping 28 people per year to continue their recovery and resume productive lives.
"A lot of people who access AOD services may not be aware of the benefits of this program," she said. "Even if people are travelling well with their recovery, linking into this program would still be beneficial because it offers extra support for the process."
The program is part of GCH's suite of Healthy Communities programs that include health promotion, school-focussed youth, youth at risk, nursing programs, community health nurse, and Healthy Mums and Healthy Babies.
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"In general, the programs are about preventative health and supporting people in our communities to have optimal health and wellbeing," Ms Beavis said.
Anyone in the community can refer into Making a Change by contacting GCH's intake system. Participants go through a screening process to make sure the program is the right fit for them.
Making a Change is an eight-week facilitated group program, starting at four days per week before reducing to three.
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