Arrow Health

15/12/2025

This time of year can be really tough when you're trying to stay sober.
More gatherings, more pressure, more expectations, more emotions, more triggers.

Here is our guide of 7 practical tips to help you stay grounded, supported, and safe duing the silly season. It's also a reminder that you've got this, and staying sober is absolutely achievable.

And remember:
If this time of year feels overwhelming, you don't have to wait until next year. Arrow Health is here 365 days a year. Including through all the holidays.

Reach out anytime. 📞 03 9533 7888

Discover 7 practical tips to stay sober during the silly season and learn where to find support if you need it.

11/12/2025

Your past may shape you, but it doesn't define you.

Josh's journey in Episode 2 is proof that no matter how far addiction has taken someone, hope and healing are always possible.

🎧 Listen Now - Reclaiming Life: A Story of Faith & Fight
https://arrowhealth.com.au/beyond-the-noise/02-reclaiming-life/

10/12/2025

🔬New research sheds light on why alcohol relapse is so persistent

A new study from Scripps Research has uncovered a key brain region that drives alcohol addiction by linking drinking with relief from withdrawal stress and discomfort.

This research confirms something we see almost every day at Arrow Health:
👉 People often return to alcohol not to feel good, but to stop feeling terrible.
👉 Withdrawal creates powerful emotional and physical distress, and the brain learns that alcohol temporarily removes that pain
👉 This learning becomes deeply wired, making relapse more likely and more persistent.

Understanding this helps to reduce shame and stigma. Addiction isn't about weakness or bad choices, it's the brain trying to escape distress.

With the right treatment and support these brain pathways can be healed. No one has to face withdrawal, relapse, or recovery alone.

Addiction often isn’t about chasing pleasure—it’s about escaping pain. Researchers at Scripps Research have discovered that a tiny brain region called the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus (PVT) becomes hyperactive when animals learn that alcohol eases the agony of withdrawal. This circu...

08/12/2025

Addiction isn't always about substances.

Behaviours like gaming, gambling, or shopping can also become addictive. These affect the brain in a similar way to drugs and alcohol.

Read our post to learn more about process addictions and how recovery is possible.

A process addiction (sometimes called a behavioural addiction) occurs when someone develops a compulsive relationship with a behaviour that stimulates the brain’s reward system in similar ways to drugs or alcohol. Instead of relying on substances, the person becomes dependent on the process itself...

03/12/2025

❓💥 Mythbusting time 💥❓
“Drug-induced psychosis causes permanent brain damage.”

The belief that drug-induced psychosis always causes permanent brain damage can create unnecessary fear and stigma. It may even stop people from asking for help when they need it most. It's important to understand the difference between temporary symptoms and lasting conditions.

Drug-induced psychosis occurs when certain substances (such as methamphetamines, cannabis, L*D, or other hallucinogens) trigger temporary changes in how a person perceives reality. These symptoms can include confusion, paranoia, or hallucinations. Although serious, these often subside once the substance leaves the system and the body has time to recover.

Repeated or prolonged substance use can increase the risk of longer-term mental health complications, especially for those with a family history or underlying vulnerability to psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia.

In most cases, with proper medical care an ongoing support, people fully recover from drug-induced psychosis.

Compassion, education, and timely support can male all the difference. With early intervention, rest, and professional treatment, recovery is not only possible, but common.

01/12/2025

True change starts from within.
One of the most powerful lessons Josh shares in Episode 2 is the importance of looking inward instead of trying to control what others do.

Accountability can feel uncomfortable, but it's also where healing begins.

🎧Tune in December 9th to Beyond the Noise
Join the mailing list: https://arrowhealth.com.au/beyond-the-noise/

25/11/2025

🧠 Recovery is about more than stopping a behaviour. It’s about understanding yourself and learning new ways to cope.

Our Psychiatric Day Program combines group therapy, education, and relapse prevention, alongside creative therapies such as art and equine therapy.

Led by experienced doctors, nurses, and counsellors, the program is designed to help participants manage addiction and mental health challenges in a structured, supportive setting.

Private health insurance may cover part or all of your program.

Chat with us today to find out more.
📞 03 8393 0219

Arrow Health is a private hospital located in the Macedon Ranges, Victoria and specialises in Detox & Withdrawal and Day Psych Programs.

24/11/2025

💬 “I referred a close friend to Arrow Health for addiction rehab, and the experience genuinely changed his life. The detox phase in the hospital was handled with total professionalism… The staff made him feel at home and in an environment which allowed him to focus fully on his recovery.
He chose to extend his stay and completed a full 60 days. The transformation in his outlook and wellbeing has been incredible, and I’m truly grateful to Arrow Health for the care and guidance they provided.
I highly recommend Arrow!!”

Recovery can change everything. Not just behaviour, but outlook, wellbeing, and the way life feels. 💙

Every transformation starts with a single decision to reach out for help.

📞 03 8393 0219
🌐 arrowhealth.com.au

20/11/2025

We know navigating private health insurance and addiction treatment can feel overwhelming, let us guide you through it.

Our team is here to support you step by step.

Wondering if your private health insurance covers addiction treatment? Find out about your policy, what to expect, & how Arrow Health can help

18/11/2025

🎙️ Did you catch the first episode of our new podcast, Beyond the Noise?

We'd love to know what you think! 💬

Beyond the Noise shares real stories and honest conversations about addiction, recovery, and hope.

If you haven't listened yet - Episode 1 - Healing Together: Addiction, Family, & Recovery is out now.

🎙️Beyond the Noise: Episode 1 Healing Together: Addiction, Family, and Recovery Guests: Toby Lawrence – CEO, Arrow Health Rebecca Wardan – Director of Nursing and Operations Julie Leiber – Family Counsellor Addiction doesn’t just affect the individual, it impacts entire families. In thi...

13/11/2025

Recovery is about rediscovering choice, hope, and connection. It's not always easy, but every step forward, no matter how small, is a step toward freedom.

If you or someone you know is read to start that journey, support is here.
📞 03 8393 0219

10/11/2025

🌿 Finding healing in nature

At Arrow Health, recovery goes beyond the walls of our clinical programs. It's about helping residents reconnect with themselves, others and the world around them.

One of the ways we do this is through Forest Therapy. A mindful practise inspired by the Japanese tradition of Shinrin-yoku (“forest bathing”).

More than just a walk in the bush, Forest Therapy invites you to slow down, breathe deeply, and engage with your senses. Listen to the rustle of the leaves, feel the earth beneath your feet, and find stillness in nature's rhythm.

Take a read of our post to learn more about how Forest Therapy is transforming treatment at Arrow Health.

Discover how Forest Therapy supports addiction recovery at Arrow Health. Reduce stress, boost wellbeing, & reconnect with nature.