What Is Bayside Alcohol and Other Drug Services?
What Is Bayside Alcohol and Other Drug Services?
BayAODS is the central access point for people over 16 years of age who reside in the Port Phillip, Stonnington, Glen Eira , Kingston and Bayside area, who are seeking support around Alcohol and other Drug issues.
Services are also open to family members/ or significant others of people with an alcohol or drug related Issue. All BayAODS services are FREE!
BayAODS can help you to identify which services might be helpful and can connect you to them. Meet our friendly staff and read a few common questions below.
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Pamela – AOD Intake and Assessment Practitioner
worked at Star health for 5 1/2 years
What do you enjoy about working on BayAODS Central Intake team?
I like being able to allay confusion for clients, family members and other professionals as they attempt to understand the AOD sector.
I also appreciate having a clear process to follow and being able to communicate that to people calling.
What do you want people to feel after they have spoken with you?
I hope that they are feeling less anxiety about seeking help and that they feel that they have been listened to, respected and understood.
I hope they also feel that we’ve described and explained what the next stages are to ensure they feel that there is a plan in place.
What are some common reasons people call?
People call us to learn more about our services and how they can access these services for themselves or a loved one.
Have you ever felt inspired or uplifted by working with one of your clients on BayAODs?
I am inspired by clients who are willing to take feedback on board and make changes or seek help. Feedback might come from different places – like legal issues because of their substance use or getting a warning from an employer or it could be feedback from family or other loved ones expressing concern.
The clients who keep coming back also motivate and inspire me. They may have had varying amount of success in the past, but they keep at it despite the frustration they feel.
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David | AOD Intake & Assessment Practitioner
Worked at Star Health for 1 year
What do you enjoy about working on BayAODS Central Intake team?
I really enjoy the diversity of the clients I get to engage with, and I love the supportive team atmosphere that we work within.
What do you want people to feel after they have spoken with you?
I want people to feel heard and feel as though they have achieved something.
We are realistic in understanding that we can’t always leave the conversation having reached the end destination, however if the client can feel as though that journey has started, then that’s a win.
What are some common reasons people call?
We receive phone calls from clients , significant others and other professionals.
Clients often call wanting to re-evaluate their relationship with substances, sometimes for intrinsic reasons and other times for loved ones.
Significant others call to understand our services and find out how they can best support their loved ones
Professionals may call seeking advice or consultation on the way the voluntary AOD system works.
Have you ever felt inspired or uplifted by working with one of your clients on BayAODs?
This happens so often, at least once a week!
I’m most inspired by the resilience that clients have. Some of their experiences are so overwhelming to hear but often a client presents it as another challenge that they are looking to tackle – so much positivity! It really warms the heart and gives me more drive to do the best I can in my role to support this part of their life story.
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Michelle – AOD Intake and Assessment Team Leader
Worked at Star Health for 4 years
What do you enjoy about working on BayAODS Central Intake team?
I feel like I’m making a difference for people who sometimes can feel quite helpless.
I’m able to explain to people the types of services that are out there to assist them and these are often free services that they did not know existed. I can answer their questions and provide them with the information they need to make informed decisions about what they want to access and what they think will assist them. Ultimately, the decision lies with the client once we’ve provided them with all the information.
We’re able to remove barriers. We assist people to deal with the things that might stop them accessing service ordinarily.
What do you want people to feel after they have spoken with you?
People often present because they have some type of crisis. Sometimes they are quite embarrassed. I explain that this is something that we do every day and we do it because we want people to get the help that they want. We then chat, I ask questions, they ask questions and the client decides what they think they’d like to do.
It’s really important that the client decides. It’s their life and their choice to make. A lot of the time everything feels out of control in their life. I want to give them total control over their decisions about treatment.
A lot of people have commented how easy it has been to talk with us over the phone and how helpful they have found the process. We understand that for some people it can take many attempts at treatment before the time and circumstances are right for them to reach their goals. No matter how many times people present they are always welcomed back.
What are some common reasons people call?
Most people start by asking about the types of services we have. We explain about AOD services, but we are also listening to see if the client would like information on other types of service to see if we can link them to other types of service like housing, dental, etc.
Sometimes people have clear ideas about the services they want to access, and other times people just want to know what is available. Most people are keen to start treatment.
Have you ever felt inspired or uplifted by working with one of your clients on BayAODs?
There is a client that I am working with at the moment. We have lots of services in place supporting her, however I am most inspired by her sheer determination to make it through each day decreasing her drug use- not using more than she wants to.
She sets the goals for herself. Some days are “good” and some days are “bad” but the next day she continues. I love her determination and how she doesn’t let a setback derail her goals.
If you have any other questions or want to speak directly to our team please contact on the numbers below.
Services are available in South Melbourne, Prahran, St Kilda and Bentleigh.
For specialist Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex & Queer Alcohol and Drug Services
Free call: 1800 906 669
and
BayAODS Free call: 1800 229 263
Bayside Alcohol and Other Drug Services: (03) 9690 9778