Drug & Alcohol Services

Since 1973, The Buttery has helped to support individuals, families and communities at risk of, or currently affected by substance misuse across Northern New South Wales. Our combination of residential and outreach offerings in the wider community are focused on providing assistance to those in need.

Residential Program

The Therapeutic Community (TC)

The Therapeutic Community (TC), is a residential program, helping people with alcohol and/or substance misuse to find lasting recovery. Under the TC model, participants provide a mutually supportive environment for recovery. Set in the Byron Bay Hinterland, the program has three stages. Each stage offers group therapy, counselling and education.Upon exit, people may apply for access to Transitional Housing in Byron Bay.

  • Program 1
    This 12-week program focuses on developing coping strategies to stabilise wellbeing.

    Program 2
    This 12-week program focuses on developing awareness of underlying core relapse issues and consolidating learnings.

    Program 3
    This 6-week program focuses on community reintegration and relapse prevention strategies. Upon graduation, people may access our Transition House in Byron Bay.

  • As well as group and individual counselling, activities include: 

    • Yoga

    • Meditation

    • Gardening

    • Choir

    • Art

    • Exercise

    • Outings to the beach, cinema and parks

    Participants are encouraged to take part in 12- Step meetings.

    The Buttery’s TC is open to any NSW resident aged 18 years and over. All participants undertake a phone assessment before joining. They can participate in the program at no direct cost to themselves.

    Social security recipients contribute 85% of their benefits to cover food and accommodation. Those not receiving benefits contribute a similar amount each week.

  • The Buttery’s TC is open to any NSW resident aged 18 years and over. All participants undertake a phone assessment before joining.

    Social security recipients contribute 85% of their benefits to cover food and accommodation. Those not receiving benefits contribute a similar amount each week.

  • TC is hosted at The Buttery’s HQ in Binna Burra, on Bundjalung Aboriginal Country. It sits 18 kilometres from Byron Bay, and is a part of the Byron Shire local government area.

  • The Buttery’s residential treatment programs are part of The Buttery’s Continuum of Care. Our network of residential and community-based programs provide prevention, treatment, and aftercare. To promote recovery and assist family members, free family counselling is available for family members and significant others receiving treatment in any of our programs. The residential programs are evidence-based and subject to ongoing evaluation and rigorous quality assurance. The Buttery’s dedicated, qualified, and experienced team, treat participants with compassion and dignity.

  • OTP
    Residential The TC has beds available for those on an Opiate Treatment Program who wish to withdraw from or stabilise on an opiate substitute. Before admission, participants need to be on treatment and under medical supervision.

    MERIT – Residential
    The TC has beds available for those on the Magistrates Early Release Into Treatment (MERIT) program. You can learn more about the program here.

    Private Access
    The TC has self-funded beds available to those who can afford and would like to take advantage of assertive case management, priority assessment and access.

OUTREACH Program

Nimbin Alcohol & Other Drugs Hub

A service operating out of the Nimbin Neighbourhood and Information Centre

Operating out of the Nimbin Neighbourhood and Information Centre, Nimbin AOD Hub is for people who use alcohol and other drugs in Nimbin and surrounds, and/or their families, friends and carers.

  • Aims

    1. Harm reduction approach to alcohol and other drug use.

    2. Person-centred, high quality and safe counselling, case management and co-ordinated supports.

    3. Improve health, well-being and social connection.


    Services Available

    • Immediate care

    • Drop-in and ongoing support for up to 12 months

    • Crisis intervention and support

    • Individual counselling

    • Group programs

    • Case management

    • Coordination and referrals

    • Access to Peer Workers


    Referrals
    Referrals are not required. Individuals can access services by visiting the site during opening hours

  • Nimbin Neighbourhood and Information Centre, 71 Cullen Street Nimbin NSW 2480

Outreach Program

CORE Parents Day Rehabilitation

The Buttery’s CORE Parents Program offers a comprehensive non-residential 7-week, day rehabilitation program, complemented by 4 months of aftercare support.

Designed specifically for parents and caregivers dealing with problematic alcohol or drug use. Drawing upon The Buttery’s wealth of expertise in treating substance dependency, participation in the CORE Parents Program is provided at no cost.

  • The Buttery’s CORE Parent Program offers a comprehensive non-residential 7-week, day rehabilitation program, complemented by 4 months of aftercare support.

    Designed specifically for parents and caregivers dealing with problematic alcohol and/or substance use.

    Drawing upon The Buttery’s wealth of expertise in treating substance dependency, participation in the CORE Parents Program is provided at no cost.


    Recovery Support

    The CORE Parents program aims to support parents in their journey to recover from substance use disorders while empowering them to develop essential skills for selfcare, parenting, and family dynamics. Participants will learn effective coping mechanisms and strategies to enact positive life changes for themselves and their families.


    Parenting Support

    We empower parents with evidence-based strategies for effective parenting, child development, and emotional regulation. By enhancing parenting skills, participants can create a positive environment for their children.


    Improving Relationships

    The program focuses on improving relationships with self, child, and family. Participants will gain insights into communication, conflict resolution, and building healthy connections.

  • The Core Parents program is delivered during school terms in various locations across the Northern Rivers.

  • Find the Referral Information Pack here.

OUTREACH Program

Drug & Alcohol Treatment Program (DAT)

The Drug and Alcohol Treatment Program supports improved health and social outcomes for individuals, families and communities at risk of, or currently affected by substance misuse in the North Coast region. DAT partners with participants, families, carers, other supports and broader mental health and health and social services.

  • Brief Intervention

    Supports include 1-2 online or phone sessions for participants with identified substance misuse issues.


    Youth Program

    6-month community-based supports for participants aged 12-24 with substance misuse and who may also be experiencing mental health conditions. Supports include psychoeducation, case management and individual and group counselling.


    Adult Program

    6-month community-based support for participants 18 years and older with substance misuse, both with and without mental health conditions.
    Supports include psychoeducation, case management, individual and group counselling.


    Withdrawal Management Program

    Community-based withdrawal management for participants aged 16+ with substance misuse, both with and without mental health conditions in collaboration with a General Practitioner.

    The Drug and Alcohol Treatment program was established by Healthy North Coast and is delivered by the Buttery.

  • Community-based withdrawal management for participants aged 16+ with substance misuse, both with and without mental health conditions in collaboration with a General Practitioner.

  • Northern NSW and Mid North Coast region (Tweed to Port Macquarie).

OUTREACH Program

Continuing Coordinated Care Program (CCCP)

Providing case management to coordinate care for people experiencing alcohol and other drug (AOD) and other significant health and social issues that cannot be addressed by their AOD treatment alone.

  • The CCCP focuses on reducing drug related harms and improving broader health and social functioning. CCCP does not provide direct counselling or other therapeutic alcohol and drug treatment interventions but the CCCP can link people into these types of services.

    The aim is to reduce the risk of harm and improve health and psychosocial outcomes for people who have alcohol and other drug use issues and complex support needs.

  • • Support retention in and access to AOD treatment.
    • Improve access to and coordination of health and psychosocial services.
    • Reduce alcohol and other drug use and related harm.
    • Address barriers to accessing services by providing individual and systemic advocacy to achieve access to AOD, health and psychosocial services.

  • • Outreach support and intensive case management provides active referral to, and supports continuing engagement with, AOD, health and psychosocial services.
    • A single episode of CCCP care may be provided for up to six (6) months. Program extension may be required for some people to enable referral and transition to other programs, but people with continuing needs will be actively referred (with the person’s consent) to services that can assist in the longer term.
    • The program is aligned with the NSW Health AOD Clinical Care Standards with a focus on individualised, strengths based and holistic case management.

  • Tweed Heads to Port Macquarie. North and Mid North Coast, NSW

  • The CCCP services are available to people 18 years or older with:
    • Complex psychosocial support needs that require intensive case management to support achievement and/or maintenance of AOD treatment goals, and
    • Current or recent harmful AOD use; or
    • Current or recent (within the last month) engagement with AOD treatment or requiring support to access AOD treatment.

OUTREACH Program

Post Custodial Support (PCS)

Post Custodial Support (PCS) is a new drug and alcohol support program aimed at helping people who are being released from prison. The program is a voluntary program aimed at helping people who are leaving incarceration, transition back into the community.

PCS provides integrated case management for people with harmful use of drugs and alcohol. 

  • The types of case management support can include:

    • Individual and group AOD counselling

    • Peer support from someone with lived experience of drugs and alcohol or being in custody

    • Assistance with getting Centrelink or other government services, and

    • Help getting connected with a GP and other health specialists, like a dentist or a mental health counsellor.

  • Should be Northern NSW and Mid North Coast region (Tweed to Port Macquarie).

Enquire Now

For program enquiries please ring 02 6687 1111 between 9.00am and 4.30pm. Alternatively, you are welcome to fill in the form below and we’ll be happy to answer all your questions.

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