Rehab centres like The Buttery in NSW struggling to cope with demand

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2 days ago

Terry was not sure he would survive his addiction.
Once a successful businessman in the finance sector, his out-of-control gambling and drinking led to the loss of his home and contact with loved ones.
"When you're that down on yourself, you don't see a future," he said.
Change came when Terry was accepted into a seven-month residential rehab program at The Buttery, in northern NSW.
After 30 weeks of strict sobriety and regimented routines, he moved into a transitional house nearby with several other program participants.
Now, he is optimistic.
"I'm looking forward to the future, I'm looking forward to today, and tomorrow," he said.
"To participate in community stuff and work, but more importantly, to reconnect with some of the people that I missed in my addiction."
But there are fears others in need are missing out on a similar opportunity, due to underfunding in the alcohol and other drug (AOD) sector.
The Buttery's residential programs have waitlists of up to six months, but beds are sometimes left vacant because there is not enough staff to support a full house.
Chief executive Leone Crayden said one case worker working in an outreach program had around 45 families on her books.
"That's a huge case load for somebody that only works three days a week, and those families need so much support," she said.
Ms Crayden said expenses such as insurance premiums had risen considerably, while funding had only increased in line with CPI.
"The funding isn't keeping up, not only with demand, but with the skill set that we need to be able to [hire] qualified staff that can really make a difference," she said.
The Buttery's main building, a former butter factory, dates back to 1913 and needs a new roof, while the residential cottages are sinking and need restumping.
"This place needs a huge amount of overhaul, and we're not funded to do that," Ms Crayden said.
"We've seen a decrease in donations and sponsorship in the last 12 months as cost of living has increased, it's very noticeable.
Case manager Daniel Ward credits The Buttery with changing his life.
Six years ago, he completed the residential program.
He now works to support people leaving prison.
"It's given me the tools to move forward in life and now I want to give back, so subsequently I got a job here and it's fulfilled me in every way," Mr Ward said.
But a lack of crossover support with housing is causing concern.
"I can get a participant off drugs … and starting work, but if they've got nowhere to live, then that's a major problem," Mr Ward said.
To tackle such gaps in the system, the sector's peak body wants the NSW government to establish a 10-year alcohol and other drugs (AOD) strategy.
The Network of Alcohol and other Drug Agencies (NADA) is also calling for an additional $65 million per year over five years for the non-government sector.
CEO Robert Stirling said if the government did not help the AOD sector, other frontline services such as hospital emergency departments would take the brunt instead.
"Government tends to respond at the acute end, when things have gotten bad," he said.
"If we start looking at prevention and early intervention … that flow-on effect will happen … in mental health, family and domestic violence and other areas, because often they're interrelated."
After last year's NSW Drug Summit, a report was released in April with 56 recommendations.
In a statement, NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said he was "carefully considering" the drug summit's findings.
He said the government was committed to building on last year's $33.9 million announcement to build 12 new support hubs.
As he readjusts to life outside rehab, Terry is keeping busy with art, exercise and peer support meetings.
He wants others to have that chance too.
"Everyone there at the Buttery, they're all striving for the same thing," Terry said.
"They want to get back into society, be of value to their family or friends, employer, their children maybe, just contribute again.