Often people experiencing mental health issues also struggle with addictions. It is important to note that not all people with mental illnesses have an addiction, nor do all people with addictions struggle with a mental illness. Common addictions include alcohol, tobacco, caffeine, gambling and illicit drugs.  Many of these substances and behaviours are enjoyed at manageable levels by the general population. However addiction occurs when a person relies on a substance/behaviour to be happy, supported, or considers the substance/behaviour to be essential for their survival.

Often people with addictions do not know they are addicted, or are in denial.  If you believe that you or someone you know has an addiction, a checklist of some symptoms of addiction can be found on the Lifeline website. There are many services in southern Tasmania that provide support for people with addictions and their family and friends.

Break Even: Gambling Service Helpline

1800 858 858
Telephone support, face-to-face counselling, do-it-yourself and web-based material and self-exclusion options to assist people who have a problem with gambling; open to people who have a friend, family member, colleague or patron for whom gambling has become a problem;  free and confidential.

Al-Anon Family Groups Southern Tasmania District
6231 5178 or 1300 252 666 (Helpline)
To help families and friends of people with alcohol addictions recover from the effects of living with someone whose drinking is a problem.

Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS)
1800 811 994 (24 hours)
A telephone service providing information, advice and referrals on any matter involving alcohol or other drugs.

Alcohol and Drug Service (ADS) – South
1300 139 641 (Mon-Fri 9 am-5 pm)
A key provider of specialist treatment services for Tasmanians who are affected by alcohol and drug use; aims to ensure that people affected by alcohol, tobacco and other drug (ATOD) use have access to appropriate, timely, effective and quality treatment services, support and interventions which are based on contemporary best practice;  service provides three key programs – psychosocial interventions and support, opioid pharmacotherapy, and withdrawal management.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Southern Tasmania
6234 8711 (Messages can be left at all times)
McDougall Building, Ellerslie Road, Battery Point
A network of self-help groups for people with alcohol issues; groups are situated in a number of locations throughout southern Tasmania;  time and location information is available over the phone, online or refer to the Community Noticeboard listing in the daily newspaper.

The Bridge Program – Salvation Army Hobart
6232 2900 (Mon-Fri 8.30 am-4.30 pm)
Creek Road, New Town
Provides an eight week residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation program and a day program rehabilitation centre for men and women over the age of 18; community Treatment programs are provided for individuals and families; runs a ‘place-of-safety’ unit operating 24 hours a day which is accessible through the Tasmanian Police Service; a Smart Recovery program operates from The Bridge as well.

Cannabis Information and Helpline
1800 304 050
Provides Information, support and referrals for cannabis users, their families and friends; the National Cannabis prevention and information centre is also available online)

Reach Out – Information and online tools for young people
Provides specially targeted information and practical tools for young people and parent/carers about emotional and mental health, relationships, and challenges, including addiction. Online personalised support available.

Alcohol and Drug Foundation
1300 858 584 Information Line
An independent body providing information and education towards preventing and minimising the harm caused by alcohol and other drugs. 

Care Coordination Services
FREECALL 1800 243 232 (Mon-Fri 9 am -5 pm)
18 Watchorn Street, Hobart
Provided state-wide; assisting people with multiple and complex needs.

Court Mandated Diversion (CMD) Program
6165 4977
27 Liverpool Street, Hobart
Provides magistrates with an option to divert offenders into treatment for their drug use through either the bail or sentencing process; three ways diversion into drug treatment can occur -conditions can be attached to a bail order, conditions can be attached to a community based order, or through a drug treatment order where a Magistrate will continually review offender progress.

Drug Education Network (DEN)
6211 2350 (Mon-Fri 9 am-5 pm)
1/222 Elizabeth Street, Hobart
A national resource centre with up-to-date information about alcohol and other drugs; also offers training, support and referrals for family members;  provides information, resources, brochures and factsheets, education, training and professional development in relation to alcohol, tobacco and other drugs as well as addictions, health promotion and prevention strategies.

Family Drug Support
1300 368 186 (24-hour helpline)
Telephone service staffed by volunteers with first-hand experience of family members with drug or alcohol problems;  provide information and support for families affected by drug or alcohol issues.

Glenorchy Illicit Drug Service (GIDS)
FREECALL 1800 243 232 (Mon-Fri 9 am-5 pm)
406 Main Road, Glenorchy
Ages 12 to 25; a free service that offers information, education and counselling to young people as well as their family members and friends;  also provides community education including workshops in schools; outreach to the Northern Suburbs, Brighton and Derwent Valley areas.

Hepatitis Prevention Program
FREECALL 1800 243 232 (Mon-Fri 9 am-5 pm)
18 Watchorn Street, Hobart
Offers care and support for people undergoing hepatitis C treatment, education and information about viral hepatitis prevention and care, a hepatitis B vaccination clinic for people at risk of viral hepatitis and a peer-based community education program; also offers workshops to the AOD sector and other stakeholders.

The Hobart Clinic
6247 9960 (9am-5.30 pm)
31 Chipmans Road, Rokeby and level 8/39 Murray Street, Hobart
Provides assessment and treatment for a wide range of psychiatric and mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, alcohol and drug dependence, problem gambling, chronic pain with depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Holyoake Tasmania
6224 1777 (Mon-Fri 9 am-5 pm)
127 Davey Street, Hobart
A specialised therapeutic service for children, adolescents, adults, families, schools and communities seeking assistance to manage challenges associated with alcohol, drugs, gambling or other addictive behaviours;  also provides outreach in many southern municipalities.

Kids in Focus
FREECALL 1800 243 232
18 Watchorn Street, Hobart
Free service; provides support and counselling to families affected by parental alcohol or other drug use; supports the family to make positive changes for parents and their children.

The Link Youth Health Service
6231 2927 (Mon-Fri 9 am-5 pm)
57 Liverpool Street, Hobart
Ages 12 to 25; services provided include access to shower, toilet, laundry facilities, personal hygiene items, mail service, needle and syringe program and telephone service for health-related calls.

Mental Health Service South
1800 332 388 (24 hours)
State-wide crisis service for mental health related issues; provides information, advice and access to assessment and intervention as required.

Missiondale Therapeutic Recovery Centre
6391 8013 (9am-5 pm)
75 Leighlands Road, Evandale
Ages 18 and older; provides a live-in, long-term rehabilitation program to assist people to overcome drug, alcohol and other addictions.

Narcotics Anonymous (NA)
1300 652 820
Wesley Hall (Upstairs), 56 Melville Street, Hobart
A self-help group for people dependant on narcotics; national phone line provides a recorded message giving meeting times and contact numbers.

Needle and Syringe Program (NSP) – Hobart
FREECALL 1800 243 232 (Mon-Fri 12.30pm-5pm)
18 Watchorn Street, Hobart
Provides sterile equipment, information, education, support and referrals to people who access the service; a 24-hour vending machine is located at the lower section of the building near the car park – a small cost is involved to use the vending machine;  disposal facilities are also available.

Needle and Syringe Program (NSP) – Glenorchy
FREECALL 1800 243 232 (Mon, Tue, Thur & Fri 10am-5pm; Wed 12:30pm-5pm)
2 Terry Street, Glenorchy
Provides sterile equipment, information, education, support and referrals to people who access the service along with disposal facilities.

 

Pulse Youth Health South
6233 8900 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, closed 1pm-2pm)
2 Terry Street, Glenorchy
Ages 12 to 24; provides assessment, brief intervention, advocacy and referral for young people; can assist with the cost of health items including condoms and pregnancy testing and support; a sexual health GP clinic is held once a week by appointment; also has an alcohol and drug counsellor every Friday; Friday afternoons from 2 pm to 4.30 pm there is open access where young people can drop in for a chat with workers from different services, use computers, have a snack or a game of eight ball.

Quit Tasmania
6242 8122 (Mon-Fri 9am – 5pm)
145 New Town Road, New Town

Quitline
Phone 13 QUIT (13 7848) Counsellors available 9am-8pm Mon-Thurs and Fri 9am-5pm
Provides information, counselling and ongoing support to people who want to quit smoking; callers can request a free self-help Quit Pack 24 hours-a-day.

Royal Hobart Hospital Specialist Pre-natal Clinic
6222 8686
48 Liverpool Street, Hobart
A specialised clinic to provide complete care for women who are pregnant and continuing to use tobacco, alcohol or other drugs.

Tasmanian Council for AIDS, Hepatitis & Related Diseases – TasCAHRD
1800 005 900 or 6234 1242 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm)
319 Liverpool Street, Hobart
Provides information about HIV and support for men who have sex with men; promotes sexual health awareness and support for people living with HIV and their networks; provides information about hepatitis prevention and care.