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(08) 9381 1333

65 Townshend Rd Subiaco, 6008

Fresh Start

For Communities

Being connected to community is an important part of maintaining a healthy life. It is also true that the strongest communities grow and evolve when their people work together and support each other through difficult times. All Australian communities are affected by addiction and substance use disorders, but Fresh Start provides hope for a future free from addiction.

1 in 20 Australians are currently struggling with a substance use disorder or addiction.

Only 1 in 4 of those people will seek help.

The four main reasons people don’t seek help are:

  • cost
  • waiting times for treatment
  • lack of knowledge about how and where to find help
  • stigma

 

  • Be prepared to listen without judgement and be open to honest conversations
  • Ask questions rather than make statements
  • Join Fresh Start for events and seminars
  • Be positive and remember that there is help available
  • Educate yourself and other about substance use disorders and addiction treatment
  • Help them find out about where to go for help
  • Offer to help or go with them to an appointment
  • Remember addiction and substance use disorders are treatable and there is help out there
  • The number one barrier to seek help is stigma so find out how to reduce it

Stigma is any negative attitude, prejudice, or false belief associated with a specific traits, circumstances or health symptoms. Stigma is unfairly characterising, believing or stereotyping individuals or groups based on these attitudes, prejudice, beliefs and values.

  • Educate yourself and others on substance use disorders and addiction treatment
  • Encourage open conversation about addiction and substance use disorders
  • Take a moment to reflect on your own thinking, assumptions and judgements about substance use disorders and addiction
  • Change your thinking from fixing the symptoms/problems to addressing and treating the cause and fulfilling the needs
  • don’t equate individuals to their illness
  • Understand that all stigmas are socially ingrained and have been so for decades and centuries, it will take the effort, education, research and acceptance of everyone to reduce it and it may take decades
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65 Townshend Rd Subiaco, 6008

Phone: (08) 9381 1333

Fax: (08) 9388 7073

Email: info@freshstart.org.au

Opening Hours

Mon – Fri: 9am – 5pm
Sat & Sun: Closed
Public Holidays: Closed

For after hours services please contact an after hours GP provider such as Night Doctor, Dial a Doctor or go to your nearest after hours GP Clinic.
In case of an emergency call 000 or go to your nearest emergency department.