If you’re finding it hard to manage heroin use, or you’re worried about someone you care about, support is available and change is possible. Holyoake provides free, confidential counselling for heroin addiction across Perth and regional Western Australia. No referral. No judgement. Whenever you’re ready.
For: Adults
Available in: North East Metro Perth Metro Wheatbelt
At Holyoake, we believe there’s always a way forward. Our drug counselling for heroin addiction is built on the Holyoake Approach, a person-centred, evidence-based model that treats you as a whole person, not a diagnosis.
Heroin is an opioid, and dependence can develop in a way that makes stopping on your own very difficult. That isn’t a personal failing. It’s why the most effective support often combines counselling with medical care. For support with prescription opioids such as codeine, oxycodone or fentanyl, visit our page on counselling for opioid addiction.
Our counsellors look at what’s happening across your whole life, including your health, your relationships, your housing, your history and what you want for your future. We’re trained in trauma-informed care and harm minimisation, which means your safety comes first and you’ll always be treated with dignity.
Many people using heroin are also living with trauma, anxiety or depression. As one of the few WA organisations offering integrated alcohol, other drug (AOD) and mental health support under one roof, we can support all of it together (sometimes called dual diagnosis or comorbidity).
You can contact us directly, with no referral needed and no lengthy waitlist process or paperwork hurdle to clear first.
We’ll start by talking through what’s happening and what you need right now, whether that’s counselling, medical support, or both. Your counsellor will then work with you on a plan that fits your goals and circumstances.
Support can start, pause and return at any time. You’re in control.
In this video, Michael shares his experience of coming to Holyoake for support and the difference it made in his life. His story is a reminder that asking for help can be the first step towards hope, confidence and positive change.
Any time is the right time to reach out. If heroin use is affecting your health, your safety, your relationships or your ability to look after yourself, support can help.
Some signs that professional support might help include:
Your safety matters. If someone is unresponsive, breathing very slowly or not breathing, call 000 immediately. Naloxone can temporarily reverse an opioid overdose and is available free, without a prescription, from participating pharmacies.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, around 300,000 Australians have used heroin at some point in their lives. At Holyoake, heroin was the main drug of concern for 2% of the people we supported in 2024-25. Whatever your situation, you’re not alone, and asking for support takes real strength.
Your first appointment is a confidential conversation about you and what you need. There’s no pressure, and you won’t be judged for your history or where you’re at now.
Your counsellor will ask about what’s been happening, your health and safety, and what kind of support would help. If medical support such as pharmacotherapy could be useful, we’ll talk through your options together. You don’t need to have made any decisions about your heroin use beforehand.
We’ve been supporting Western Australians impacted by alcohol and other drugs since 1975. A few things that set us apart:
We also offer counselling for opioid addiction, AOD counselling, alcohol counselling, mental health services, young people’s programs and our parents program if you or someone you know needs support in other areas – Browse all services and programs here.
Holyoake has physical locations across Perth and regional WA:
Telehealth is available statewide, including for people in the Wheatbelt, Kimberley, Goldfields, Midwest, South West and Great Southern regions.
We are committed to culturally safe services. If you identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, our services are designed to be respectful and responsive to your needs and background.
Yes. All of Holyoake’s counselling services are free. There are no session fees, no Medicare requirements, and no referral needed to get started.
Yes. Through our partnership with Next Step, people attending our Midland service can access pharmacotherapy for opioid use alongside counselling. Methadone and buprenorphine are among the most common treatments for opioid dependence in Australia. Contact us to talk through whether it might suit you.
It depends on your goals and circumstances. Some people engage for a few months, while others prefer ongoing support, particularly while on pharmacotherapy. You can start, pause or return whenever suits you.
Yes. Telehealth sessions by phone or video are available across WA. Everything discussed is kept strictly confidential.
Our counsellors use evidence-based approaches including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing and acceptance and commitment therapy. Counselling can work alongside pharmacotherapy to support lasting change.
Yes. Worrying about a loved one’s heroin use can be frightening and isolating. Our family support services help families, partners and carers find support for themselves and understand how to help.
We work with justice-involved clients and accept referrals from court diversion programs. We also offer through-care counselling that can continue before and after release from prison. Get in touch, and we’ll talk through your situation.
Call us on (08) 9416 4444 or contact us online.
If you need immediate support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467, available 24/7.
For further information on mental health in Australia, visit the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare or Beyond Blue.
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