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. 

Taking the first step toward residential treatment can sometimes feel a little daunting. To help make that step easier, we’re pleased to share a new walkthrough video of our West Moreton Residential Rehabilitation and Withdrawal Service.

Get a feel for the facilities and the calm, supportive setting where recovery happens. It’s a chance to look around, get familiar with the surroundings, and see what life at the service can look like before you arrive.

Located in Raceview, Ipswich, this purpose‑built service supports people across the West Moreton region who are ready to make positive changes to their alcohol or other drug use. Operated by Lives Lived Well and funded by Queensland Health, it brings together residential rehabilitation and withdrawal support on one site, offering continuity of care in a safe, welcoming environment. The program includes a six‑week residential rehabilitation program and a 24‑hour supported withdrawal unit, all delivered in an alcohol‑free, drug‑free environment.

If you or someone you care about is thinking about residential treatment, we invite you to take a walk through our West Moreton service. Sometimes, seeing the space is the first step toward feeling ready.

👉 Watch the walkthrough video now

👉 Learn more about West Moreton Recovery

With nearly 30 years of experience across mental health, alcohol and other drug (AOD), and community health services, Catherine brings extensive clinical expertise and a steadfast commitment to quality care and clinical excellence.

Catherine began her career as a Registered Nurse in both general and mental health settings, spending 20 years in the public tertiary sector before transitioning to the not-for-profit sector in 2016.

What drew her to Lives Lived Well?

“Seeing how closely the values align with my own, particularly around leaving a legacy in mental healthcare and AOD, it really spoke to me.”

Catherine is deeply committed to trauma-informed practice and authentic partnership — with colleagues, clients and the broader community. She believes high-quality care is built on collaboration, psychological safety and a shared sense of purpose.

Outside of work, Catherine enjoys spending quality time with her family (particularly competitive board games), as well as horse riding and sailing to recharge.

We are delighted to welcome the leadership, insight and collaborative spirit Catherine brings to our team.

On 9 December, Lives Lived Well marked an important milestone with the official launch of our 2025–27 Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). 

We were honoured to be joined by Baringa Barambah Meeanjinu, a Songwoman of the Turrbal People and daughter of Turrbal Elder Maroochy Barambah, who delivered a heartfelt Welcome to Country. Growing up on her ancestral homelands of Meeanjin (Brisbane), she learnt traditional laws and customs from her Elders. She is deeply passionate about working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to strengthen social, cultural and economic outcomes.  

We were also privileged to welcome Uncle Billy Cummings, an Aboriginal Elder who lives in Brisbane and is connected to the Turrbal People through kinship ties. With a strong spiritual connection to his people, traditions and Country, Uncle Billy joined us with the blessing of Turrbal Elder and Songwoman Maroochy Barambah to perform a Smoking Ceremony on behalf of the Turrbal People of Brisbane. 

The launch was well attended by other partners and service providers, including QNADA, Reconciliation Queensland and Brisbane North PHN, as well as members of our RAP Committee who travelled from NSW and other locations to be part of the day. 

Our RAP Chair, Nathan Campbell, opened the event by recognising the significance of cultural traditions and the importance of reconciliation. This was followed by our RAP Coordinator, Rebecca Kennedy, who shared the story behind the RAP cover artwork on behalf of the artist, Daniel Lorraway. 

“This artwork represents a map of the Northern NSW region and the many communities we walk alongside and support. It tells a story of resilience, connection and healing following the devastating floods of 2022.”

Our CEO, Mitchell Giles, reinforced Lives Lived Well’s commitment to reconciliation, saying: 

“Our approach at Lives Lived Well is based on listening to local voices, respecting community leadership, and shaping services alongside communities, not for them. We aim to build stronger, mutually respectful relationships and continually improve how we provide services in ways that reflect local needs, cultures and aspirations. We also envision a workplace that is culturally safe, inclusive and respectful, a space where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff can thrive, lead and build long-term careers with us.” 

Mitchell also acknowledged and thanked the RAP Committee and Executive Sponsor, Julie Dignan, for guiding this work with dedication, cultural insight and unwavering commitment. 

The event concluded with a shared lunch catered by Figjam and Co., a proud second-generation Indigenous business with connections to the Gunditjamara and Ngarrindjeri mobs. 

Thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate this significant step in our reconciliation journey.