Alcohol and other drug support hubs

On this page

1. What are AOD hubs?
2. How can an AOD hub ​help me?
3. Do I have to pay to go to an AOD hub?
4. Where are the AOD hubs?
5. What if there isn't an AOD hub near me?

What are AOD hubs?

NSW Health has set up some new alcohol and other drug (AOD) services called 'AOD hubs' or 'hubs' for short. Hubs are for people who have problems with alcohol and other drugs or for their family and carers.

NSW Health has set up 12 new hubs across NSW. These services are completely free, you can usually walk in or phone up for help and will be welcomed just as you are. There is no need to get a referral from your doctor.

Each service is slightly different so get in touch to see what they can offer you.

Some of the hubs have services or programs designed to help specific groups like people who have been in contact with the justice system, pregnant women, families with children, people in regional areas, young people, people experiencing homelessness and Aboriginal people.

How can an AOD hub help me?

The aim of the hubs is to help people deal with their drug and alcohol problems and improve their health and wellbeing. The hubs team can support people to work out what help they need and then help them get the right services. People who come to a hub may want help with substance use, such as:

• counselling and support to reduce their use of alcohol or other drugs
• keeping as safe as possible if using drugs or alcohol (for example getting free take home Naloxone - a me​dicine that can help reverse an opioid overdose)
• support if struggling because they have a loved one who uses AOD
• talking to other people who have had problems with alcohol and other drugs in the past and understand what it's like.

The hubs teams will help you with more than just drug and alcohol problems. They understand that most people have a lot going on and may need help with several things at once. The hub works in partnership with other services to make sure they can:

• offer support to improve your physical health (like seeing doctors or nurses)
• help your mental health (like seeing counsellor or joining a support group)
• link you with services that help children and families
• connect people with community groups and events
• help make different specialists and support people to work together (this can be done by a care navigator)
• help get appointments with specialists
• link you with organisations to find somewhere to live, get some training, get legal advice, get into work or get an NDIS plan if eligible.

The hub will treat everything you tell them as private and won't share it with any other service unless you agree to it. (It's only if there is a risk of serious harm to someone that the hub workers would share the information needed to help)

Do I have to pay to go to an AOD hub?

You do not need to pay for any care or support at the hub. If the hub team want to refer you to a service outside of the hub that might cost you money they will explain that before and offer you the choice of whether to go ahead.

The money for the hubs came from the NSW government after the Ice Inquiry report was released. That report looked at the harms from AOD in NSW and advised of the need for more services and services that offer more holistic care.

Where are the AOD hubs?

What if there isn't an AOD hub near me?

Hubs are just one type of service, if there isn't a hub near you or you would like to know what other services may be available, please visit Contact information, support and treatment services.