Turning Point Counselling
Feature
This feature does ...
-
💡 Taking the First Step: Finding Support for Alcohol and Drug Addiction
Acknowledging that you or someone you care about needs help with alcohol or other drug (AOD) use is a moment of courage and strength. Addiction is a health issue, and just like any other health condition, treatment and support are available. The journey to recovery is unique for everyone, but the first step is always reaching out.
Getting Started: Where to Find Help 📞
You don't have to face this alone. In Australia, there are multiple free, confidential, and professional pathways to connect you with the right support.
Understanding Your Treatment Options
Treatment is highly individualised, and an intake counsellor or doctor can help you find the best fit. Available options often include:
-
Withdrawal Management (Detox): This helps manage the physical and medical symptoms of stopping drug or alcohol use.
-
Inpatient: Medically supervised in a hospital or specialised residential unit for safety and support during acute withdrawal.
-
Home-Based: Managed withdrawal for mild to moderate symptoms, with regular support from a health professional at home.
-
-
Counselling and Therapy: Essential for addressing the psychological aspects of addiction.
-
Individual Counselling: Working one-on-one with a counsellor on triggers, coping mechanisms, and underlying issues.
-
Group Therapy: Sharing experiences and learning from others in a supportive setting (e.g., SMART Recovery, Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous).
-
-
Residential Rehabilitation: A supportive, drug-free environment where you can live for an extended period (weeks to months) to focus on recovery, life skills, and group therapy.
-
Specialist Clinics: Services for specific dependencies (e.g., opioid pharmacotherapy), mental health conditions alongside AOD use (co-occurring disorders), or addiction medicine consultations.
Practical Tips for Your Recovery Journey
-
Be Honest About Your Goals: Your goal might be complete abstinence, or it might be reducing your use to a safer level (harm minimisation). Being honest with your health professional allows them to tailor a plan that works for you right now.
-
Use Person-Centred Language: Addiction is a medical condition. Using language like "person who uses drugs" or "person with an alcohol use disorder" instead of stigmatising terms like 'addict' can help reduce shame and support a health-focused approach.
-
Prioritise Self-Care: Recovery is demanding. Focus on building healthy, non-AOD coping strategies for stress, such as:
-
Getting enough sleep.
-
Regular physical activity.
-
Mindfulness or meditation.
-
Connecting with supportive, non-using friends or family.
-
-
Manage Your Environment: Identify people, places, or situations that trigger your urge to use, and create a plan to avoid or manage them, especially in early recovery.
Support for Family and Friends 👨👩👧👦
Addiction affects the whole family. If you are supporting a loved one, resources are available for you too:
-
Family Counselling and Family Information Sessions (often offered by AOD services).
-
Family Drug Help helplines and support groups.
You deserve support too. Reaching out for help is a sign of immense strength, not weakness.
-
Topic 2: Policy Excess and Out-of-Pocket Expenses
Saint Luke's Gold Hospital 300 is a comprehensive hospital policy designed to offer extensive coverage for all 38 clinical categories recognized by Australian health insurance standards. This policy is classified as "Gold," meaning it provides the highest level of coverage available.
Here is a breakdown of what Gold Hospital 300 covers, including details on the excess, inclusions, and other important features.
Comprehensive Coverage
The Gold Hospital 300 policy covers a wide range of services, including those typically restricted or excluded on lower-tier policies. This plan offers peace of mind, covering all hospital treatments, including:
Pregnancy and Birth: Includes assisted reproductive services.
Cataracts and Eye Surgeries
Joint Replacements
Weight Loss Surgery
Psychiatric Services (Note: A 2-month waiting period applies even for pre-existing conditions)
Palliative Care and Rehabilitation
Sleep Studies
Heart and Vascular System treatments
Understanding the Excess
The "300" in the policy name refers to the maximum excess amount per person, per year. An excess is the amount you pay toward your hospital treatment when admitted.
Maximum Excess: $300 per person, up to a maximum of $600 per policy per year.
Same-Day Surgery: For adults, a "half excess" applies to same-day hospitalizations, up to the maximum product excess.
Child Dependents: A significant benefit of Gold Hospital 300 is that the excess does not apply to hospital admissions for child dependents.
Waiting Periods
Standard waiting periods apply to new members or those upgrading their cover:
2 Months: For general hospital treatments and services (including palliative care, rehabilitation, and psychiatric treatments, even if pre-existing).
12 Months: For pre-existing conditions and pregnancy and birth (obstetrics).
Additional Features and Benefits
Medical Gap Scheme Cover: Saint Luke's Gold Hospital 300 provides 'no gap' or 'known gap' cover for medical bills, which helps minimize or eliminate out-of-pocket expenses for doctor and specialist fees.
Ambulance Cover: The policy includes emergency ambulance cover.
Key Details on Injury Coverage
Comprehensive Hospital Coverage:
The Gold Hospital 300 policy covers the investigation and treatment of injuries, including:
-
Bone, Joint, and Muscle: This includes coverage for fractures, surgery for musculoskeletal injuries, joint reconstructions, and conditions like carpal tunnel.
-
Back, Neck, and Spine: Coverage for investigations and treatments related to back, neck, and spinal injuries.
-
Brain and Nervous System: Treatment for injuries affecting the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nervous system.
-
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery: Medically necessary procedures for physical deformities resulting from injury or illness.
Waiting Periods for Injuries:
-
General Waiting Period (2 months): For injuries resulting from accidents, the standard waiting period for general hospital services is 2 months. Once this period is served, the member is covered.
-
Pre-existing Conditions (12 months): If the injury relates to a pre-existing condition, a 12-month waiting period applies. However, as noted above, if the injury is the result of a genuine accident, the 12-month waiting period for pre-existing conditions does not apply.
Excess and Benefits:
-
Excess: As detailed previously, Gold Hospital 300 includes an excess of $300 per person per year, which applies to hospital admissions. A half-excess typically applies to same-day surgeries.
-
Benefits: The policy provides benefits for hospital accommodation, theatre fees, and intensive care in contracted private hospitals. It also offers coverage for approved surgically implanted prostheses related to the injury treatment.
Medical Gap Cover for Injuries:
The policy offers "no gap" or "known gap" cover for medical bills related to in-hospital services, helping to reduce or eliminate out-of-pocket costs for doctor and specialist fees associated with the injury treatment.