Ben’s journey from addiction to building trust and a future with his family.

Individual Afterhours Telehealth Support

When 42-year-old Ben was referred to Holyoake Wheatbelt by the Department of Justice, he was living with his partner and two children in a run-down house on his brother’s property. He’d lost his previous rental due to financial hardship – a result of methamphetamine dependency.

Due to his work commitments and remote location, Ben requested after-hours counselling on a Thursday evening via Telehealth.

During his sessions, he recalled being very bored as a teenager living in a remote area of the Wheatbelt. Back then, he and his friends saw alcohol and cannabis simply as something fun to do. He also recalled being very disruptive at school and reported that smoking cannabis helped him focus and reduce ‘over-thinking stuff’. But in time, he found himself addicted to methamphetamine and getting into trouble with the law.

With his counsellor, Ben was able to increase his awareness of negative thinking patterns, using cognitive behavioural therapy to develop skills in managing these thoughts. He also developed skills for healthier communication with his partner and family.

Ben looked forward to setting positive goals with his counsellor each week and felt empowered when achieving these goals. He said it gave him so much hope for the future. During treatment, he secured his own rental and rebuilt trust with his family, proving to himself and his loved ones he could be a responsible partner and father again.