ASK JAY - Q&A for alcohol, drugs, gambling and addiction issues NOW CLOSED

[Chris_B]

Hi everyone,

This a new thread we're opening up to discuss alcohol, drugs, gambling and addiction issues. Here to answer your questions is Jay Jaggard, beyondblue's clinical adviser and project manager of suicide prevention.

Jay has a social work background – her career spans 20 years working in alcohol and other drug, mental health and gambling in clinical, policy and management roles – harm reduction and supporting people to live their best possible lives are at the heart of everything she does.

She has lived and worked in a range of places that contain some seriously scary wildlife including Perth (great whites), Darwin (crocs, box jellyfish) and Melbourne (Collingwood supporters).

Jay will be here for a live Q&A launch of this thread on Tuesday 12 December between 12:30pm and 1:30pm, please come back then to post your questions.

After that, we will be leaving this thread open for you to post your questions to Jay, and she'll be able to get back to you here on the forums within 24-48 hours in between her other work commitments.

[Ask_Jay]

That’s a great question and a very complex one – I don’t think I can give you a simple answer because it depends very much on the individual and their particular risk factors. For example, someone who has a history of trauma, is highly vulnerable, doesn’t have great connectedness to family or other supports may well be at higher risk of developing a dependency than someone who doesn’t. I think we can get tangled up in the “whys” and blame one another/ourselves for dependency issues, but issues of addiction/dependency happen to many people - the important thing is to recognise when there's a problem and take steps to address it.

[Chris_B]

We've got time for one more question today, so let's finish up on when you've recognised that problem in a friend or loved one. What's the best way to start that conversation, if you've recognised some concerning behaviour but you don't know how to bring it up?

[Ask_Jay]

Starting a conversation about someones alcohol/drug/gambling use can be tricky and scary. Before you have the conversation I would familiarise yourself with information about the issue and if you’re not feeling confident about how to approach the issue, you could call one of the AOD services in your state and talk it over. Once you’ve done that, take a quiet moment to have the discussion with the person, tell them the behaviour you’ve noticed, express your concern – and you could give them any info that you’ve found out. Then leave it with them. And get support for yourself – if you don’t’ want to talk to a professional, talking it out with a friend or loved one can help.

State links:
Australian Capital Territory (02) 6207 9977
New South Wales 1800 422 599 (Regional)
(02) 9361 8000 (Metropolitan)
Northern Territory 1800 131 350
Queensland 1800 177 833 (Regional)
(07) 3837 5989 (Metropolitan)
South Australia 1300 131 340
Tasmania 1800 811 994
Victoria 1800 888 236 (DirectLine)
Western Australia 1800 198 024 (Regional)
(08) 9442 5000 (Metropolitan)

[Chris_B]

Thanks Jay, and thanks everyone for reading along. We'll post up some support links here in the next few minutes.

[Sophie_M]

Directline Victoria (Victorian Alcohol and Other Drug help)

DirectLine is a statewide telephone and online service which supports people seeking alcohol and other drugs information, advice or referral. It is a useful first point of contact for alcohol and other drug users, and health and human service providers, including general practitioners.

Most clients identified as non-dependent users are offered telephone and online supports, including information and advice, brief interventions, worker-facilitated and self-guided supports, and referrals to other services. Clients identified as likely to require treatment for alcohol and other drug-related risk, harm or dependence are referred to catchment-based intake services.

DirectLine offers information, advice and brief interventions before, during and after treatment and operates 24-hours a day, seven days a week. It is staffed by professional counsellors at Turning Point, a centre of excellence for alcohol and other drug treatment, research and education, a part of Eastern Health.

DirectLine can be accessed over the phone on 1800 888 236 or at the DirectLine website on www.directline.org.au

Counselling online (national Alcohol and Other Drug site)

https://www.counsellingonline.org.au/

Operated by Turning Point in Victoria and funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health, Counselling Online provides assistance to Australian residents concerned about alcohol & other drugs. 
Our primary service is online text-based counselling for people concerned about their own drinking or drug use. The service is equally available to people concerned about a family member, relative or friend.
Our service also provides:
•    support by email
•    tools such as self-assessments and self-help modules
•    an SMS service to keep you focused and on track
•    an online community forum to connect you with peers for support.
•    State phone lines for AOD support

Counselling Online services are free and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  

Gambling Help Online (national site for gambling help)

https://www.gamblinghelponline.org.au/

Gambling Help Online is an online self help and counselling site, providing assistance for Australian residents concerned about their own or someone else’s gambling .
The service provides:
•    support by email
•    tools such as self-assessments and self-help modules
•    an SMS service to keep you focused and on track
•    an online community forum to connect you with peers for support.
•    State phone lines for AOD support

Gambling Help Online services are free and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.