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Home » Our Services » Alcohol and Other Drugs Support » First Step

Easy-to-access support for alcohol, drugs, and mental health

First Step is a free new program for people who want support with alcohol and other drug concerns, mental health, and wellbeing. Designed by the University of Queensland in partnership with Lives Lived Well, it offers you practical strategies and support right from your first session.

How First Step works

First Step is made up of three parts, each one created to help you develop skills for reaching your goals around alcohol and drug use.

Delivered across two to three sessions, First Step includes:

  • feedback on your current alcohol and drug use, mental health, and wellbeing
  • help with developing coping skills and strategies for keeping safe
  • help with goal setting and problem solving
  • exploring other treatment options.
What can I expect?

If First Step is a suitable program for you, you’ll be invited to complete a check-in before your first appointment. The check-in, done via email or SMS, is a series of short questionnaires that help us understand more about you and what you want to achieve in First Step. One of our clinicians can help you complete the check-in if you need it.

First Step is flexible and can be adapted to suit your needs. You can do First Step either face-to-face or via telehealth.

What comes after First Step?
First Step is designed to suit a range of people, whether you’re only able to engage in treatment briefly, or if you’re looking to continue other treatment over a longer period of time. First Step provides a solid base that can help you progress independently or with other treatment in the future.
How can I apply for First Step?

You don’t need a GP referral; you can self-refer by filling out this form here. If you need help with filling out the form, or if you have questions about First Step, please call us on 1300 727 957.

If you are a health or service provider and want to refer one of your clients to us, you can do that by filling out this form here.