Worried about a loved one struggling from Alcohol or other Drugs?

Common Questions

• What type of clients are eligible?+

  If you are unsure about whether your client meets our criteria, please give us a call and we’ll be happy

  to help.

  Eligibility Criteria

  • Over 18 years old
  • A NZ citizen or resident.
  • Located within the Auckland or Northland region
  • Has a safe address and contact in Auckland
  • Meet the criteria for severe substance use disorder in the DSM5
  • Not be using prescribed opioid analgesics, benzodiazepines, zopiclone, methadone, or suboxone.
  • Detoxification is required before admission, with 5 days of continuous abstinence.
Note: Medical or Social Detoxification may be required. This will be discussed by your Wings Assessor.
  • Be willing to abide by the Wings Trust rules and participate openly and honestly in the programme
  • Pre-treatment clients need to have a treatment pathway to a more intensive treatment program prior to admission e.g. Higher Ground, Odyssey House, Salvation Army Bridge Programme or another intensive treatment programme.
  • If you’re on a WINZ Benefit or ACC – provide a breakdown prior to admission
  • No past history of sexual offending or arson
  • No current gang affiliations or charges
• What if my client has criminal charges (currently or previously)?+

  We do accept clients with pending criminal charges and/or previous convictions but we cannot take clients straight from prison. To ensure the ongoing safety and well-being of our community, we cannot accept clients with a history of arson, violence, or sexual offences.

  For clients with pending criminal charges, we will need a copy of their bail conditions at the initial assessment or any other legal obligations the client may be subject to.

  If you are unsure about whether your client is eligible, give us a call to talk about your individual case.

• What if my client is sectioned under the Mental Health Act?+

  No, we cannot admit Whai Ora who is sectioned under the Mental Health Act.

• My client lives out of Auckland – can they join?+

  Yes, we can accept clients from outside of Auckland from the greater Auckland area and Northland. However, all individuals accepted into the program need a ‘safe address’ listed within the Auckland region in case a dischargeable event occurs.

• How long does it take to get into the Wings Trust programme normally?+

  The admissions process can take up to 2-4 weeks depending on space and availability. The admissions process and steps that need to be taken by your client will be discussed with them during their initial assessment. Our staff will follow up with your client weekly for updates and to provide them feedback on their admission date.

  For more information on steps your client can take to speed up the admission process and what to bring to their initial assessment read our Admissions Page

• How do I inform my client about the Wings Programme?+

  The best way to inform your client about the Wings Program is to send them a link to our website which contains all of the information they need to know in order to make an informed decision as to whether we are a right fit for them.

  As your client will be the person who needs to book their initial assessment, encourage them to give us a call and book this as the admissions process can take up to three weeks after the initial assessment. The initial assessment is also a great opportunity for the individual to get a feel for the program by visiting our main house and asking any questions to determine whether they think we are the right fit for them.

• Is there anything I should tell my client before recommending the Wings Programme?+

  Individuals need to be open, honest, and willing to commit to the Wings Program in order to achieve recovery. Wings is not a get-out-of-jail-free card or a softer approach to more intensive treatment approaches, it still requires a commitment toward change.

  It is always best that your client visits our website for themselves to get a sense of what the Wings Trust program is and how it works before they call to book an initial assessment.

  Ask your client to note down any questions they have before their initial assessment so we can answer them and help them determine whether we are the right treatment option for them.

• If my client has been assessed – are they guaranteed placement?+

  No, the initial assessment does not guarantee a placement at Wings. This assessment is primarily used to gain more information from your client to determine if we are the right treatment centre for them.

  Sometimes an individual may not be guaranteed a placement straight away and will need to undertake a few steps before coming into the Wings program

  This information will be communicated directly to your client after the initial assessment. If they are placed on the waiting list, staff will keep in regular contact with your client to inform them of any updates on their admission date.

• Does my client need to do anything prior to joining the Wings Programme?+

  All individuals need to be clean and sober for a minimum of five days before being admitted into the Wings Trust program. We encourage individuals to engage with social or medical detox facilities to arrange a bed prior to their admission date.

  Our staff can help the client to liaise with detox facilities, so the dates align with their admission into Wings.

  Individuals will also need to undertake a series of steps prior to their admission, click here for more information about the steps your client can take to speed up the admissions process.
  

• Does my client need to be clean and sober before joining?+

  Yes, clients will need a minimum of five days clean and sober prior to their admission date. We encourage new clients to book in with a medical or social detox facility prior to coming into Wings.

  
  Encourage your client to talk to us about this in their initial assessment as we can liaise with detox facilities to ensure their dates align with their admission date into Wings.

• My client takes X medication – can they still participate?+

  Yes, we accept clients who take prescription medication apart from mood-altering substances including opioid analgesics, benzodiazepines, zopiclone, methadone, or suboxone. 

  
  Clients are able to take prescription medications at Wings which need to be blister packed on arrival and will be kept at the main house at 43 Walters Road. 

• What resources are available to keep my client safe and motivated, prior to admission?+

  We encourage Whai Ora waiting for their admission date to start attending community 12-step meetings to stay motivated for recovery and to start building recovery support networks.

• My client’s family wants to know how their loved one is doing – what can information can Wings Trust share?+

  Privacy and confidentiality are essential elements of treatment so that individuals have a safe and supportive environment to make progress. Therefore, we cannot share any information with others, including family, without consent from the client.