Cyber security is something our team works on quietly every day – patching, scanning and monitoring our systems so the people who rely on Lives Lived Well can do so with confidence. Recently we dealt with an incident that we’d like to be open about, because transparency matters and because there’s a useful reminder in it for all of us.

On 28 July 2026, we identified that our public website had been compromised. As soon as we detected it we acted quickly taking the website offline, beginning remediation, and launching a detailed investigation. The website is now back online with additional security measures in place.

Was any personal information accessed?

No. Our investigation found no evidence that any client, partner or referral information was accessed, stolen or disclosed. Just as importantly, our website doesn’t store or contain any client information and our referral forms are hosted separately and securely.

The good news is that most visitors wouldn’t have been affected. This particular attack only worked if a visitor was shown a deceptive message and then followed a series of instructions on their own device.

If you visited liveslivedwell.org.au on or around 28 July 2026, you may have seen a screen like the one below, asking you to “verify you are human” by opening your device’s Terminal and running a command.

This was not a genuine verification page. A legitimate website will never ask you to open Terminal, paste a command, or run anything on your device to prove you’re human. If you saw this screen but didn’t follow the steps, you’re very unlikely to have been impacted.

What to do if you saw this screen

If you visited our website around that time, and especially if you think you may have followed any unexpected on-screen instructions, we recommend taking a few simple precautions:

1. Run a security or antivirus scan on any device you used to visit the Lives Lived Well website in the past few weeks.
2. Update your software and make sure your operating system, web browser and antivirus software are up to date.
3. Change your passwords for any important accounts if you think you may have followed unexpected on-screen instructions.
4. Stay cautious of any unusual emails, messages or requests for passwords.

A reminder for all of us

Cyber security is a significant and ongoing challenge for organisations across every sector and incidents like this are a reminder that the threat is constant and evolving. At Lives Lived Well, we routinely patch, monitor and scan our website and systems to reduce risk and protect the information entrusted to us. Following this incident, we’ve strengthened our security measures and are continuing to monitor things closely.

But technology is only part of the picture and one of the strongest defences any of us has is simple vigilance. Pausing before we click, questioning anything that feels unusual and never following instructions to run commands or hand over passwords just because a webpage tells us to.

We understand incidents like this can be unsettling, and being open with our community matters to us. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our team at IT@liveslivedwell.org.au and we’ll be glad to help.

Lives Lived Well is proud to launch a new Youth AOD Support Service, offering free, safe and confidential support for young people aged 12 to 25 who are going through a tough time with alcohol or other drugs. 

From Monday 13 July, the service is available across five South-East Queensland hubs located in Beenleigh, Caboolture, Bowen Hills, Ipswich and Maroochydore with outreach to surrounding regions.  

Going through a hard time with alcohol or drugs can feel isolating, but no young person has to figure it out on their own. Our friendly team is here to help, whether it’s something a young person is worried about, something a friend or family member is experiencing, or simply something they want to talk about. It’s free, private, and they stay in control of what they share. 

Support is flexible and built around each young person’s life. That might mean one-on-one chats with a youth peer worker or counsellor (in person, online or over the phone), group sessions, practical harm-reduction information, support for families, and ongoing aftercare. Our team can meet young people wherever they feel comfortable or one of our hubs. 

There’s no referral required. Young people can call directly, or a friend or family member can call on their behalf, on 1300 727 957. 

Find out more about the service. 

When hundreds of professionals, researchers, peer workers and advocates come together to talk honestly about addiction, recovery and what good care really looks like, something powerful happens. That’s exactly what unfolded at AddictionZ 2026 on the Gold Coast. 

Lives Lived Well was proud to be part of it, not just as attendees, but as presenters, collaborators and contributors to the conversations shaping the future of alcohol and other drug (AOD) and mental health services across Australia and New Zealand.

The human experience beneath addiction 

A strong thread ran through the entire conference: the importance of human connection, compassion and lived experience in how we respond to addiction and mental health challenges. Presentations explored the impact of shame, trauma, stigma and disconnection, while reinforcing the value of culturally responsive, non-judgemental and relationship-based care. 

As one of our team members reflected, “One thing that really stood out was the strong focus on the human experience that sits beneath addiction.” Another shared that “connection was the clear takeaway — a reminder of how profoundly connection at every level impacts the people we support.” 

Keynote speakers including Johann Hari, Hala Abdelnour and Clare Davies challenged attendees to think more deeply about shame, community, recovery and what it means to lead with compassion. One staff member noted that Hala Abdelnour’s presentation “reinforced the importance of shame-sensitive and culturally responsive practice grounded in compassion rather than judgement.”  

Lived experience taking centre stage 

Lived experience leadership was a powerful focus throughout the conference. Our team highlighted the value of seeing lived experience represented not just in peer-facing roles, but across leadership, advocacy, research and storytelling. As one team member put it, “It was powerful to see lived experience represented through leadership, research, advocacy and storytelling — not only through peer roles.” 

A standout moment was Monwell Levi’s presentation and film, Three Sides of the Coin, which left a lasting impression on attendees through its authentic exploration of addiction, gambling harm and recovery. You can hear more from Monwell on his SoundCloud. 

Innovation with heart 

The conference also explored how technology and digital innovation are reshaping the sector, a conversation that aligns closely with Lives Lived Well’s own work, including our ConnectWell digital support platform and emerging digital safety planning tools. The takeaway? Innovation matters, but it needs to stay grounded in strong human connection and therapeutic relationships. 

Sessions around performance and image enhancing drugs (PIEDs) and anabolic steroid use also drew important attention to what remains an under-recognised but growing area of practice and one Lives Lived Well is actively engaged in. 

Strengthening the sector together 

Beyond the formal program, AddictionZ 2026 was a reminder of just how much can be achieved when services, communities and individuals come together. Our team valued the opportunity to both strengthen and build new relationships with organisations involved in detoxification, SMART Recovery, peer support, universities and community-based services. 

As one of our staff reflected, “One of the greatest benefits of conferences like AddictionZ is the opportunity to strengthen relationships and share the great work happening across Lives Lived Well.” 

For us, AddictionZ 2026 was more than a conference. It was a reminder that connection, compassion, innovation and collaboration sit at the heart of everything we do and everything this sector needs to keep moving forward. 

At Lives Lived Well, people are at the heart of everything we do. Today we’re proud to share a new statement that reflects our ongoing commitment to recognising and honouring lived and living experience.

This statement acknowledges the individuals, families, friends and carers whose experiences, wisdom and advocacy continue to guide and strengthen our work. By listening, learning and working alongside people with lived experience, we are better placed to support our clients to live their life well.

Lives Lived Well recognises those with a significant lived and living experience of challenges related to mental health, substance use and suicidality. That includes both individuals with personal experiences as well as the family, friends and carers who have supported those who they love and/or have loved. Lived and living experience voices and perspectives are central to the work we do at Lives Lived Well. We thank those with lived and living experience whose expertise and insights help us as we support our clients to live their life well.

We’re committed to listening, learning and ensuring these voices remain central to how we deliver and improve our services.