At ACSO, one of the things that further drives our passion for our work is hearing some of the incredible stories from clients and participants we work with. We love hearing about ACSO team members going above and beyond, and we want to celebrate it – because learning from one another’s successes only makes our programs and our team stronger as a whole.
The Care and Recovery team form part of ACSO’s Forensic Treatment Services and they support people involved with the justice system who are experiencing substance use issues and other complex needs. Care and Recovery Coordinator Brooke shared her team’s success working with a client who accessed their services earlier this year.
In his feedback, the client said that the support he received over the phone from the team was “flexible, respectful, sincere and helpful”. He even went on to say there was not a single thing he could suggest improving, because they went above and beyond to support him.
“I would like to leave […] my heartfelt thanks to Brooke for going far and beyond her required service to make my life so much easier” he wrote. “Had it not been for Brooke, I could have been in some serious trouble which her intervention prevented, and I could not be more thankful.”
“Just having someone listen to you when you speak can take you out of the darkest places, and can help so very much.”
Brooke says that the interventions mentioned by the client in their feedback were proactive, collaborative, and instrumental in encouraging and supporting him through his treatment. They included motivational interviewing, providing information about available services that could further benefit his treatment, and providing education about the connection between Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) treatment and his court-ordered obligations.
“Interventions like this are crucial because they not only protect people from further harm, but also contribute to the larger goals for education and support around rehabilitation and reducing recidivism,” said Brooke.
Following his participation in the program, the client reported significant positive changes in various areas of their life. These included:
-
- Reduced substance use and abstinence
-
- Cessation of problematic behaviours
-
- A better understanding of his legal obligations and compliance around his court order
-
- Improved mental health
-
- Increased self-efficacy and empowerment
-
- General positive changes in their mental wellbeing, relationships, and overall life trajectory.
ACSO’s motto of ‘Understand the Story, Support the Change’ epitomises the work that the Care and Recovery Team do each and every day, and perfectly encapsulates of how they went about supporting this client.
“Understanding the client’s story requires empathy, and supporting the change involves collaboration. The team demonstrated empathy by acknowledging the client’s struggles without judgement, creating a safe space for open communication,” says Brooke.
She says the kinds of positive, long-lasting changes that he experienced is exactly what the program aims for: “By going ‘far and beyond’ our team sought to not only address this client’s immediate challenges, but also create a foundation for lasting change.”
“We wish for [the client’s] future to be marked by sustained personal growth, continued well-being, “says Brooke.
“We hope that by continuing to build on the foundation laid during their participation in the program, they find fulfilment, joy and success in life.”
ACSO DELIVERS A DIVERSE RANGE OF PROGRAMS TO SUPPORT PEOPLE AT RISK OF ENTERING OR WHO HAVE ALREADY ENTERED THE JUSTICE SYSTEM. THESE SERVICES SPAN THE ENTIRE JUSTICE CONTINUUM FROM PREVENTION TO REHABILITATION, AND OUR TEAMS ARE DEDICATED TO HELPING TO BREAK THE CYCLE OF PEOPLE REPEATEDLY ENTERING THE SYSTEM.
The Care and Recovery team is a part of ACSO’s Forensic Treatment Services, which supports people involved with the justice system who are experiencing substance use issues and have other complex needs. Clients are referred to the Care and Recovery team after a Forensic Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) assessment is conducted by the COATS, RAPIDS or FACT programs.
You can learn more about Forensic Treatment Services and other AOD services provided by ACSO here: www.acso.org.au/program-referral-type/aod