Parent Line

For families impacted by alcohol, other drugs and gambling

Holyoake offers group education, therapy and support programs for families impacted by problematic drug use and gambling.

At Holyoake we recognise that, while the problem drug user or gambler may use their habit to enhance enjoyable feelings and avoid painful ones, it is often the other family members that have to deal with the concrete stress, fear, grief, anger, shame and other strong emotions that come with the problem.

 Research indicates that working with the families can achieve more positive results than just working with the substance user or gambler alone. As such, Holyoake works with different members of the family to initiate and maintain change for individuals and for the family system as a whole.

There are structured Holyoake group programs available for children (from as young as five), adolescents, and adults: the sons, daughters, siblings, husbands and wives, parents and grandparents of substance or process dependent people. There are also programs available for adolescent substance users (in Sydney) and adult male and female users (in Maitland).

• The FOCUS Program (Sydney & Hunter) provides assistance for the partners and other adult family members of chemical or process dependent people.
  
• The PAUSE Program (Sydney) is for parents of adolescent or young adult users and covers issues involving communication, adolescent development and the legal, cultural and ethical expectations around parenting. 
  
• Kaleidoscope Programs (Sydney):  For kids aged 5 to 17 years who have been affected by someone else’s   gambling, alcohol or other drug problems. The program aims to facilitate better understanding of problems, appropriate expression of feelings and development of coping skills and self care strategies. Group facilitators use drawing, games, music, role-plays, video and discussions to help young people who have experienced a difficult family environment or who are having issues with peers.  The children realise that they are not alone; other people have similar experiences and feelings.
  
• Pathways Programs for problematic substance users in Sydney for adolescents from 12 to 17 and in the Hunter for adults.
• Holyoake also offers assessment, referral and ancillary individual counselling services. Staff regularly conduct community and interagency education sessions with schools, local government, health and community services.

Fees are charged on a sliding scale, dependent on income and other circumstances.

Contact Us:

Sydney

16 Lindsay Street, Neutral Bay NSW 2089 (02) 9904 2700

Hunter Region (under Mercy Community Services)

32 Union St, Tighes Hill 2297, Ph: (02) 4961 2686

holyoake@CatholicCare.org