Maysoon is an Arabic word meaning ‘woman walking proudly’. The program is fully funded through Health Promotion Grants and is offered by DIRECTIONSACT for women, with young children, who are using alcohol and other drugs or who are in recovery. Pregnant women or women who have children with Care and Protection orders are very welcome.

This brochure contains information on the Maysoon program including:

1. What is Maysoon
2. What the program includes
3. Free Childcare
4. Other organisations asked to provide inreach services

Download the Maysoon brochure here

We are currently seeking applications for the following vacant positions:

Position Descriptions and Selection Criteria are available by clicking on the links below

Applications for the following positions must be received by Monday 6th October 2008 (COB)

General Practitioner

Clinical Nurse

Night Shift Alcohol and Other Drug Worker
Arcadia House – Part Time

Information can also be obtained from our Employment page Here

Smart Recovery is a program that assists people recover from their addiction regardless of the type of addiction.

This free program runs for 90 minutes and is based on four main areas:

1. Motivation to abstain
2. Coping with urges
3. Problem solving
4. Lifestyle balance

The main emphasis of the program is on self help peer support with professional assistance provided by staff from DIRECTIONS ACT when required.

The program is run at DIRECTIONS ACT, 1 Bradley St Woden, every tuesday from 10:30am to 1pm

For more information call Barry at DIRECTIONS ACT on 61228000

The COMPASS Support Group offers families a supportive environment to discuss issues and learn strategies to manage alcohol and other drug issues.

The facilitators are experienced counsellors at DIRECTIONS ACT and COMPASS meets fortnightly 6pm – 8pm at the Woden Office.

COMPASS aims to help family members navigate through this difficult period, providing information, support and resources, assisting people to manage self care and wellbeing. For more information ring the Family Support Counsellor on 6122 8000.

The COMPASS groups for September and October are on the following dates:

1. 2 September
2. 16 September
3. 30 September
4. 14 October
5. 28 October

The Winter 2008 edition of our newsletter is now available with articles on:

1. The newly opened Althea Wellness Centre
2. A list of the Althea Clinics
3. "A New Day" Women's and Childrens Program
4. The new "Maysoon" (Women walking proudly) program
5. The coffee/playgroup on Wednesday Afternoons
6. Our new Nurse, Sue
7. The 8 week parenting skills program
8. Counselling Services and Compass family support group
9. Arcadia House

Download our Winter Newsletter

Althea Wellness Centre

.....a place of healing

The first stage of the Althea Wellness Centre opened in July 2008 in response to the overwhelming interest and support from clients and stakeholders. While uptake is expected to be rather quiet over the next month, we should see good results after this time, as people with alcohol and other drug issues become more accustomed to accessing good health care.

The Althea Wellness Centre is set to achieve positive health outcomes for people with alcohol and other drug issues through a range of clinics. At the present time 6 clinics are offered with the option to expand the services in the near future.

1. Liver Clinic – for people wanting testing and treatment options for hepatitis C
2. Hep C Wellness Program – for people with hepatitis C
3. Naturopath Wellness Clinic – for relapse prevention (Cost $15 for the remedies)
4. Maternal and Child Health Clinic – for parents and their young children
5. Mental Health Clinic – for assessment of comorbidity issues
6. Mental Health Support – for counselling, support and referrals for comorbidity issues

Coming in September:

1. Sexual Health Clinic – for people 16 years and over

We thank the following organisations for their continued support

Funding to build the clinic was provided by:

1. Commonwealth Department of Health & Ageing
2. Ian Potter Foundation

Our Inreach Clinic Partners:

1. Liver Clinic, Canberra Hospital ACT Health
2. ACT Hepatitis Resource Centre
3. Mental Health ACT Health
4. Alcohol and Drug Program ACT Health

For more information download the Althea Wellness Centre brochure here
Or visit the Althea page on this website here

The COMPASS Support Group offers families a supportive environment to discuss issues and learn strategies to manage alcohol and other drug issues.

The facilitators are experienced counsellors at DIRECTIONS ACT and COMPASS meets fortnightly 6pm – 8pm at the Woden Office.

COMPASS aims to help family members navigate through this difficult period, providing information, support and resources, assisting people to manage self care and wellbeing. For more information ring the Family Support Counsellor on 6122 8000.

The COMPASS groups for July and August are on the following dates:

1. 8 July
2. 22 July
3. 5 August
4. 19 August

The Aftercare Program is a service provided by Arcadia House detoxification centre which aims to provide Arcadia House clients with a support and referral service after leaving detox. For many people completing an inpatient detoxification program is the first step in the process of drug use change or rehabilitation. After detox, people may choose to attend a rehabilitation service. The Aftercare worker can assist you to find the most suitable rehabilitation service for you.

This brochure contains information on Arcadia Aftercare including:

1. What is aftercare
2. How it can help
3. Arcadia house admissions

Download the Arcadia Aftercare brochure here

This brochure contains information on wheel filters including:

1. Which wheel filter to use
2. Tips on using wheel filters
3. How to use a wheel filter
4. Wheel filter myths and facts

   Wheel filters are available at Primary NSP Outlets.
   There is also an instructional video displayed at the Civic NSP Outlet

   Wheel Filter Brochure

This fact sheet contains information on Hep C including:

1. An Overview of Hep C
2. Common symptoms
3. How it's not transmitted
4. Myths
5. Pre and post test counselling
6. Treatment options
7. Support available
8. Health management
9. Women and Hep C

   The fact sheet was produced with the expertise and assistance of the ACT Hepatitis C Council.

   Hep C fact sheet