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Matrix outpatient drug treatment trial yields strong results in South Australia
Photo:(ABC Riverland: Catherine Heuzenroeder)
Darren Day has been using drugs for more than half his life and it has cost him everything.
The 44-year-old started taking amphetamines 25 years ago to cope with the demands of being an interstate truck driver, but his addiction to speed — and later ice — spiralled out of control.
Mr Day chose to move from Adelaide to Berri, in South Australia, to be part of a pilot drug treatment program he hoped would enable him to transform his life.
"[I went] from a man who has had it all, a loving family, his own home, to losing it all and coming up here to get away from all the bad stuff and turn my life around," Mr Day said.
"I wake up every morning with anxiety knowing I've lost the love of my life, my kids … because of those mongrel drugs."
High remission rate
Mr Day is among the first graduates of a drug treatment program operating in the Riverland in a two-year trial funded by the South Australian Government.
Unlike traditional residential treatment programs, the Matrix model is an outpatient program focussed on educating participants and equipping them with life skills and group support.
Adelaide-based PsychMed received government funding to adapt the US-based program for Australia and has supported its roll out in Perth and Brisbane.
The initial results are promising.
Since opening its doors early this year the Riverland program is achieving an 82 per cent remission rate for participants who complete the intensive 16-week phase of the program, while its six Adelaide-based clinics average between 55 and 70 per cent.
Program director Quentin Black contrasted these results with the average remission rate of 20-30 per cent across Australian residential rehabilitation programs.
"When they go back to their home, back to their community, they are not equipped with the skills to cope," Dr Black said.
He said 52 per cent of Matrix participants were in long term recovery after 12 months compared to a national average of 12.5 per cent.
"You are actually equipping yourself to cope in the real world," Dr Black said.
"Rather than in some sort of controlled environment."
Pain medication addiction
Natalie Davis graduated the Riverland Matrix program in July.
Her addiction to prescription pain medication started 12 years ago when she was in her early twenties.
"My drug of choice was opioids, so I would take endone," Ms Davis said.
"But I wasn't overly picky, Panadeine Forte was okay — it was pretty bad for a while."
She still attends regular support groups and will continue with these until she has been in remission for two years.
"I won't say it hasn't had its moments of struggle but with the support of the team and the other clients, they've been amazing," Ms Davis said.
"It is a real, everyday thing — you can't just shut the book on your addiction and say that's done and move on.
"When you're under pressure, you're stressed, you're upset, you're in pain, it's an effort to say no and stay abstinent."
Her doctors were aware of her addiction and Ms Davis came off the drugs while in a pain management clinic but started using again.
"Inevitably I was able to talk my way back into getting what I wanted and it just kept cycling," she said.
Wanting to pay it forward
Learning to recover from drug addiction while remaining in the community encourages participants to be accountable to themselves and others.
"I can't walk down the street without bumping into someone," Mr Day said.
When Ms Davis shared her story on social media she was flooded with support from friends, family and strangers.
"Good on you for putting yourself out there to the public, you should be very proud of what you have achieved for a better and healthy life, keep positive," one supporter wrote.
Ms Davis has started studying social work and wants to help others with drug addiction.
"This is quite a common thing for the graduates, to want to pay it forward," she said.
"Those of us in remission and recovery, we're all in the pool going 'come in, the water's lovely!'
"There is hope, you can get better and want to wake up tomorrow."
