All Posts

As New Zealand’s population ages, aged residential care facilities are facing an urgent challenge: managing the complex impacts of alcohol and substance use among older adults. With up to 40% of people over 50 classified as hazardous drinkers, the risks in care settings are substantial. Alcohol use contributes to falls, cognitive decline, medication interactions, and behavioural changes such as aggression, disinhibition, and emotional distress. Critically, up to 65% of fatal

The Emotional Weight of Substance Use Struggling with alcohol or drug use often comes with a heavy emotional toll. Many people feel trapped in a cycle of dependence, guilt, and isolation. What may have started as a way to cope with stress, grief, or trauma can evolve into a pattern that feels impossible to break. Feelings of shame, anxiety, and hopelessness are common, especially when substance use begins to affect relationships, work, or physical health. For some, the fear o

Depression affects everyone differently — for some, it feels like a lingering sadness, for others, it’s a loss of motivation or a sense...

Feeling worried, restless, or unable to switch off is something most of us go through at times. But when those feelings become...

For many workplaces, the office Christmas party has long been synonymous with free drinks, late nights, and “the stories” that echo...

Often people who are experiencing challenges with addiction and/or mental health are hesitant to opt for help regardless of their struggle.

New Zealand's alcohol consumption data experienced a positive change, similar to the rest of the world, in response to Covid-19.