AOD (Social Worker Program

AOD Program

Alcohol and other drug-related harms among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people AOD-related harms among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are correspondingly excessive and can influence physical, social and emotional wellbeing, and subsequently reduce the strength of connection to family and community. AOD use accounts for a significant proportion of the total burden of disease and injury among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians, and contributes significantly to the ongoing health gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

Do you know how AOD affects?

Tobacco smoking has been affect to the total burden of disease among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and for one-fifth of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander deaths. It is the largest contributing risk factor to deaths among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men. Alcohol has been causing to burden of disease among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people higher than among the non-Indigenous population. According to the Australian National Council on Drugs statistics, the rate of deaths due to alcohol dependence and harmful use among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people was estimated to be eight times higher for men, and 19 times higher for women, than among the non-Indigenous population. Illicit drugs consumption has been causing to burden of disease and injury among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. High contributors to the burden arising from illicit drugs are heroin use, hepatitis, cannabis dependence and suicide. The rate at which Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were hospitalised for cannabis-related mental and behavioural disorders was almost five times that for non-Indigenous people. For mental and behavioural conditions related to use of volatile solvents, the rate was more than non-Indigenous Australians.

This is the time to think…..

This is my life…. This is my family…. This is my community…. This is my land…. We are here to help you to get out from AOD with relax mind and healthy life.

We offer counselling services to clients 16 years and above. Children will have to have signed consent from their parents. Appointments are made Mon-Fri 9.00am – 4.30pm.

Through the DAS program at UTHS, we offer many different counselling services, including:

 Substance Misuse  Petrol sniffing  Alcohol Abuse  Co Morbidities including Mental Health  Grief counselling  Anger management

Assertiveness skill

Drug and alcohol staff continues to deliver diverse services across program areas, including: Self-referred Clients/Court or Other Services referred

 AOD Counselling for clients with co-morbidities, (Substance Misuse/Drug and Alcohol problems plus Mental Health problems).  AOD program in related to awareness and education program, Advocacy and liaisons.  AOD clients follow ups, Home and Community visits.

Transfers and Referrals to/from:-

 Emergency or Elective Detox at Coober Pedy Hospital  Day Residential Rehabilitation  Local Councils, Department of Correctional Services Families S.A, Centrelink, Police,

Ambulance Services, Uniting Care Wesley (DVT), CDEP (Bungala), FFFNDivGP.

Kidney Disease

Chronic kidney disease

Chronic kidney disease, also called chronic kidney failure, involves a gradual loss of kidney function. Your kidneys filter wastes and excess fluids from your blood, which are then removed in your urine. Advanced chronic kidney disease can cause dangerous levels of fluid, electrolytes and wastes to build up in your body.

What is the main cause of kidney disease?

Diabetes and high blood pressure are the most common causes of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Your health care provider will look at your health history and may do tests to find out why you have kidney disease. The cause of your kidney disease may affect the type of treatment you receive.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of kidney disease are often nonspecific. This means they can also be caused by other illnesses. Because your kidneys are able to make up for lost function, you might not develop signs and symptoms until irreversible damage has occurred.

Symptoms include:

 Nausea  Vomiting  Loss of appetite  Fatigue and weakness  Sleep problems  Urinating more or less  Decreased mental sharpness  Muscle cramps  Swelling of feet and ankles  Dry, itchy skin  High blood pressure (hypertension) that's difficult to control  Shortness of breath, if fluid builds up in the lungs  Chest pain, if fluid builds up around the lining of the heart

In-case of any symptoms, please contact us on 08 8672 5255 to book your appointment with doctor.