Auckland City Mission Addiction Services

Drugs and alcohol addictions have serious, widespread consequences for the person with the addiction, their family and the community as a whole. As the impacts of addiction are far-reaching, people recovering from addiction often need equally wide-ranging assistance.

Auckland City Mission helps people recover from addiction and works with family members to help people sustain life changes. This is done through a range of services, including the Social Detoxification Centre and the Alcohol and Drug Community Workers.

Social Detoxification Centre

The Auckland City Mission Detoxification Centre is Auckland’s only residential, non-medical alcohol and drug detoxification centre. It provides a supported environment for people to detoxify from alcohol and other drugs without the use of medication. After their stay, work  continues with the individual and their family to provide the support they need at home to stay clear of drugs and alcohol.

Available to men and women, the centre provides a 24-hour residential service for up to 10 clients at any one time. The service is available to anyone over 18 years of age from Auckland, who is committed to detoxing and withdrawing from alcohol and other drugs.

The Mission's Detox centre helps people manage their withdrawal and detoxification process by providing a safe and homely environment, nutritious food, a quiet space in which to reflect and professional and confidential advice, support and advocacy. The centre also facilitates group educational sessions, provides access to community and recreational services, and runs relaxation workshops.

Residential Detox is only the first step in a person's journey towards recovery from addiction. During their stay, clients work with staff to explore future options. These may include counselling, other residential programmes, supported-accommodation and support groups. If they are able to do so, clients are also encouraged to contribute $25 a night, which goes toward the cost of providing food and accommodation.

Community Reinforcement Approach

The Auckland City Mission Detox Centre applies a 'Community Reinforcement Approach' (CRA). CRA is based on the premise that all behaviour is motivated and people usually continue to do those things that are reinforced and from which they see benefits – whatever benefits those may be. Reinforcers can be either positive and healthy or harmful and destructive.

Clients who attend the Mission's Social Detoxification Programme are introduced to CRA and educated in how to identify and develop positive rewards for sobriety. This allows them to begin to gain awareness of their own behaviours, choices, and the perceived gains from using alcohol or drugs. Individuals learn to increase the rewards they identify for non-using activities and behaviours. CRA increases people's awareness of their own addictive behaviours and the factors that have maintained them. Clients create their own treatment plans tailored to meet their specific identified goals for self-development.

CRA relies on the involvement of family and support people to actively participate in the clients' treatment. This support network is in place to serve as a resource, a source of reinforcement and a backup support during the ongoing work involved in overcoming an addiction.

To contact the Social Detoxification Centre, phone 09 303 3016 between 9am and 5pm, or email.

Alcohol & Drug Community Workers

The Mission’s Alcohol & Drug Community Workers is part of the Community Assessment and Support Service. Community Workers support clients preparing for admission to the Mission Detox Centre and provide ongoing support after they leave. It is the Community Worker’s job to assist clients, partners, family and friends through all phases of recovery, and to identify ways of reducing the stress that accompanies major changes in behaviour and new living situations.

To talk with the Alcohol & Drug Community Worker, phone 09 379 2395 between 9am and 5pm, or email.

Comprehensive Support

From the first step in a person’s fight against addiction, Auckland City Mission can help. Together, the Detox Centre and Community Workers provide comprehensive support:

 Before Detox

• Assistance with treatment options
• Budgeting advice
• Emergency food and clothing

 Throughout Detox

• Assistance with co-ordination between client, treatment facility and support group
• Encouragement to complete treatment
• Assistance sorting out additional problems, such as debt

 Ongoing Support

• Support when dealing with agencies, such as the courts and WINZ
• Recovery review
• Assistance to obtain housing and employment
• Vocational training and voluntary support.