Addiction Service

If you have (or are concerned you may have) a substance use disorder and moderate to severe mental health issues we may be able to help you.

We can also work with other mental health and addiction professionals who may be helping you already.

If you have come to this page because you are concerned about someone else, please let them know about our service, or contact us.

SACAT legislation

Click here to read about the new legislation as at February 2018: Substance Addiction (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment Act) 2017 (SACAT).

We provide community alcohol and drug assessment and treatment for adults living in Wellington, Porirua or Kāpiti who have or are concerned they may have moderate to severe mental health and substance use disorders,

In the Hutt Valley our services are provided by clinicians based in the community mental health services in Lower Hutt and Upper Hutt. Services in the Wairarapa are delivered by Pathways, a community-based provider of mental health and wellbeing services.

Managed withdrawal service

For people in Wellington, Porirua, Kāpiti, the Hutt Valley and the Wairarapa who want to stop using drugs or alcohol, our managed withdrawal services can help you.

Opioid treatment service

There is also a service for adults in Wellington, Porirua, Kāpiti or the Hutt Valley who may benefit from opioid substitution therapy. In the Wairarapa, opioid treatment is provided by Pathways.

Find out more about our opioid service here.

It’s best for people to be referred by their GP because substance use often affects physical health as well. If you have any questions or would like to refer directly, contact the service at the details below.

We are not a crisis service. If you or someone you know is in crisis and needs urgent help, please call MHAIDS on 0800 745 477 or find other options for support here. We do not provide problem gambling related support (you can call the gambling helpline 24 hours a day, seven days a week on 0800 654 655).

Please take anyone you are concerned may be in significant withdrawal to your nearest emergency department because we do not do emergency managed withdrawals (detoxification).

Ring 111 for an ambulance if the person seems unresponsive or cannot be woken up. Try to stay calm. Remember you are better placed to help someone else if you stay calm.

We also take referrals for people already in hospital or being treated as an outpatient.

For health professionals

Our co-existing disorders service (CEDS) supports mental health clinicians working with clients with co-existing mental health and substance use disorders who are currently engaged with a mental health team. If you are a clinician working with these clients and would like our support email cads@ccdhb.org.nz.

CEDS also provides training and second opinions within the Wairarapa, Hutt Valley and Capital & Coast District Health Board areas.

Once we receive a referral we will arrange an appointment with one of our clinical team for an initial assessment. The assessment usually takes about 90 minutes.

If we agree that this service is right for you we will work with you to develop a treatment plan that reflects your goals and determines how we will work together to support you to achieve these. We encourage your family to be involved in your treatment as this generally increases your chance of recovery.

If we are not the best service for you we will provide you with information about other services that may help you and may be able to refer you on to one of these.

We are a multidisciplinary team, made up of social workers, psychologists, occupational therapists, nurses, doctors and addiction psychiatrists.

We offer a range of interventions that include specialist assessment, treatment planning, talking therapies, group work and drug therapy.

If you have already been referred to our service, please use the contact details below.

Wellington, Porirua and Kāpiti

The Addiction Service is open from 8.30am until 5pm Monday to Friday (closed public holidays).

• Phone: 04 494 9170
• Address: Level 1, 113 Adelaide Road, Wellington

There is limited free public parking available.

Lower Hutt

In Lower Hutt addiction services are delivered through our community mental health service, which is open from 8am to 4.30pm Monday to Thursday and 8am til 4pm on Fridays.

• Phone: 04 570 9801
• Address: 40 to 42 Queens Drive, Lower Hutt

Upper Hutt

In Upper Hutt, addiction services are delivered through our community mental health service, which is open from 8am to 4.30pm Monday to Thursday and 8am til 4pm on Fridays.

• Phone: 04 587 2860
• Address: Level One, CBD Towers. 84 to 90 Main Street, Upper Hutt

Wairarapa

In the Wairarapa addiction services are delivered through Pathways addiction services, which is open from 8.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

• Phone: 06 370 6102
• Address: 31 Chapel Street, Masterton (ground floor. departmental buildings).