Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

News Video | Policy | GPs | Hospitals | Medical | Mental Health | Welfare | Search

 

Hanmer Clinics to Offer Online Treatment


Hanmer Clinics Joins Partnership to Offer Online Treatment

New Zealanders who need drug or alcohol treatment now have the option of receiving Internet-based treatment services.

In a first for New Zealand, Hanmer Clinics can now offer its clients access to online treatment for alcohol and drug dependency over the Internet. Hanmer Clinics and affiliate company Instep Limited have formed a partnership with USA company eGetgoing, the first provider of Internet-based alcohol and substance abuse treatment. Hanmer Clinics and Instep will incorporate eGetgoing’s online treatment programmes into their range of client treatment options. Through this partnership, Hanmer Clinics and Instep will expand their reach far beyond their current capabilities and make alcohol and substance abuse treatment widely available to residents throughout New Zealand, including the most rural areas of the country.

“We entered into this partnership because we are aware that there are a significant number of New Zealanders in need of treatment who because of location, privacy issues or other convenience factors would be unlikely to access treatment at one of our clinics,” says John Beattie, Chairman of Hanmer Clinics. “eGetgoing overcomes these barriers and complements traditional treatment programmes in two ways: it offers those not served by existing treatment alternatives an affordable, convenient and private way to combat their alcohol and drug use, and it augments the effectiveness of traditional programmes by providing long-term support that is easy for those in recovery to access,” Mr Beattie said.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

“Online treatment through eGetgoing is not meant to displace Hanmer Clinics’ traditional treatment programmes. Instead it adds breadth and depth to the model by complementing our existing programmes and serving as an alternative for those who will not receive treatment any other way,” Mr Beattie said. “Essentially it addresses three common issues for clients – anonymity, convenience and cost.”

Hanmer Clinics EAP affiliate company, Instep Limited, will offer online services to the employees of their client companies who work and live in outlying areas, whose work schedules conflict with receiving more traditional services, or employees who prefer more confidential and private services.

“We are excited to offer a new and very cost effective solution to our clients, many of whom face alcohol and drug challenges every day. We have seen how effective the therapeutic alliance can be between online counsellors and troubled employees of client organisations,” says Matthew Beattie, CEO of Instep Limited. “New Zealanders are quick to embrace technology that can improve their circumstances and eGetgoing’s online treatment programme will appeal to many New Zealanders not able or willing to access their employer’s more traditional counselling services.”

“In the 21st century an ever increasing proportion of employees are required to be mobile and therefore are unable to attend the same facility when in treatment. Our new services will allow those people to access alcohol and drug rehabilitation via their laptop in their hotel or motel, their temporary office and even their parked car, thereby overcoming the sporadic attendance difficulties of even well-intentioned employees in treatment,” Mr Beattie said.

How eGetgoing Works

“eGetgoing is a marriage of the best practices in drug and alcohol abuse treatment and the power and the reach of the internet, and was founded to enable the millions of individuals who do not currently have access to treatment a chance to get help,” said eGetgoing Chairman and CEO, Barry Karlin.

eGetgoing’s innovative online treatment is made possible by advanced audio- and video-conferencing technologies. Participants engage in a 12-week online programme, in groups of 10 or less, each led by a counsellor. eGetgoing’s real-time interactive format enables live audio with the counsellor and participants, and live video of the counsellor (not the participants). The format also allows the delivery of powerful visual aids to enhance the group treatment process, including dramatizations of video-based “peer group” which serve as springboards for discussion.

Leveraging the best eLearning technologies, eGetgoing’s online treatment programmes include: verbal or written communication between group participants and their eGetgoing counsellor; spontaneous polling of the group by the counsellor to steer the group process; use of visual aids (slides, video and white board illustrations) to support discussion; written assignments submitted to the counsellor between sessions that elicit personalised feedback from the counsellor via email; and breakout sessions for people who require more individualised care.

About Hanmer Clinics

Since 1972, the Hanmer Clinic Group has been devoted exclusively to helping people and families suffering from the devastating effects of alcohol and drug dependency. There are six Hanmer Clinics spread throughout New Zealand - a residential clinic located in the beautiful sub-alpine, thermal spa town of Hanmer Springs and five outpatient clinics located in Auckland, Tauranga, Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch. Individualized treatment programmes are based on 12-step philosophy, and continuing care and family programmes are key components of the Hanmer Clinic approach. The Group has established an international reputation for its work and over 20,000 people have been treated in all programmes. For more information on the Hanmer Clinics visit www.hanmerclinics.co.nz

About Instep

The EAP affiliate of the Hanmer Clinics, Instep designs and provides innovative behavioural healthcare and performance solutions for New Zealand workplaces in order to improve individual and business performance. Specialising in Employee Assistance Programmes and Alcohol and Drug Free Workplace Programmes for the ‘zero-tolerance’ industries, Instep offers solutions to employee problems adversely affecting health and safety, productivity and profitability. With over 275 approved clinicians available through its quality care partner network, Instep provides case management of each referral from contact through to return to work. Instep also offers professional supervision and coaching programmes for managers and supervisors as well as resiliency and stress management programmes for individual and corporate clients. Instep is a member of the Employee Assistance Professionals Association and is an active partner within a global EAP network. For more information on Instep visit www.insteplimited.com

About eGetgoing

eGetgoing leverages the Internet to provide drug and alcohol abuse treatment services. Experienced counsellors use real-time audio and video conferencing to treat participants in a group environment. The first and only JCAHO and CARF accredited drug and alcohol treatment programme to utilise traditional treatment methods in an online forum, eGetgoing offers an affordable, convenient and anonymous treatment alternative. eGetgoing complements traditional treatment programmes by providing access for the millions of individuals who need treatment, but might not ever receive it through traditional residential and outpatient programmes due to their high cost, privacy concerns and barriers to access. It also augments the effectiveness of traditional programmes by providing easy to access long-term support that reduces the likelihood of relapse. eGetgoing, based in San Jose, Calif., is the online extension of CRC Health Corporation, an established group of residential and outpatient facilities that have provided substance abuse treatment to more than 30,000 people over the past 20 years.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Culture Headlines | Health Headlines | Education Headlines

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • CULTURE
  • HEALTH
  • EDUCATION
 
 
  • Wellington
  • Christchurch
  • Auckland
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.