Abstract: Thorpe House Detoxification Service (THDS) is a ten-bed residential facility located within the Christchurch City Mission complex. Clients are admitted for one to three weeks while withdrawing from alcohol and/or other drugs (AOD). Between 70% – 80% of residents are withdrawing from alcohol, (and in descending order of prevalence according to historic trends) cannabis, methamphetamine, synthetic cannabinoids, and opioids. The majority of residents detox without medical assistance, however when this is required, specialist nurses arrange medications specific to withdrawal symptoms through the residents’ general practitioner (GP), or the THDS consultant psychiatrist.
The THDS programme is based around a structured day, aimed at restoring patterns of living, sleeping, showering, eating, social interaction, and where prescribed – regular medication. Daily groups include addiction information, relapse prevention, diet and nutrition in recovery, stress management, and light exercise. All residents have an AOD case manager, and are admitted as part of an overall treatment plan, which includes follow up supports. These supports range from non-residential community-based programmes, to longer-term residential rehabilitation.
In 2014, a weekly group focusing on addiction was introduced to the THDS programme.
Topics covered included the aetiology of addiction, diagnosis of substance use disorder (SUD) using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders system (DSM), the neurobiology and treatment of addiction including pharmacotherapy, and prognosis. Within a short space of time, THDS staff observed patterns in the responses of residents to the material being presented, and these patterns have remained constant ever since. The most frequent reaction among residents has firstly been surprise at not having previously been made aware of the information presented, and secondly, recognition of what they have experienced through AOD addiction, explained in a scientific yet easily understood manner. These responses have been expressed by residents that had previously undergone multiple and various AOD treatments, as well as those with little previous AOD treatment experience.
Residents have also requested that they be provided with transcripts of the addiction group, and frequently request that whānau and family members attend future sessions to gain a better understanding of addiction.
These clinical observations were the starting point for a key question: To what extent are THDS residents passing through the AOD treatment system without gaining a fundamental knowledge of the nature of their disorder, its aetiology, diagnostic criteria, recommended treatments, and prognosis?

Abstract: This annotated bibliography was compiled (April 2020) by Te Rau Ora to provide insights from international literature regarding the emerging learnings about the impacts of COVID 19, and other pandemic events upon the mental health and wellbeing of people. We ask you to reflect on these to provide encouragement in how we respond and recover from COVID 19.

Abstract: Drug and alcohol addiction is a critical issue in Aotearoa New Zealand, and the over-representation of the indigenous population is of real concern. Currently, there are a number of addiction treatment options available but there is a notable lack of interventions underpinned by Māori models of health and well-being. Higher Ground, a residential addiction treatment facility in Auckland, offers clients an opportunity to participate in an adjunctive, Māori-centred group. This research aimed to explore the recovery experiences of past Māori residents and how the whānau group contributed to their recovery. Semi-structured interviews with 18 participants were conducted. Thematic analysis of transcripts identified five themes and nine subthemes. The themes were: learning how to transition from treatment to the community; understanding myself and understanding addiction; making changes to the relational aspects of life; strengthening my Māori identity; connecting to spirituality in recovery. Overall the findings revealed that participants managed recovery in some respects in similar ways to those who participate in mainstream programmes, and in other respects, in ways unique to their experience as Māori and their experience in the whānau group. This research supports extending the concept of recovery and treatment, especially for Māori, to include non-abstinence factors such as relational reintegration and identity development. This is the first study to explore the recovery experiences of Māori having participated in a culturally consistent group during addiction treatment. Therefore, it makes a unique contribution to both the theory and practice of addiction treatment and recovery in Aotearoa New Zealand.