Odyssey House Trust Christchurch is part of an international network of addiction services started in US in 1966. In NZ there are Odyssey houses in Auckland and Christchurch. The philosophy of Odyssey House is based on therapeutic communities which use group influence as the main change agent. The programmes are based on recovery principles of self-determination, peer support and empowerment. The Odyssey programme promotes a community consisting of programme participants and staff, this community works together to encourage and promote positive development in the individual. The members learn how to use the community to assist and promote personal growth, with the primary ‘therapist’ and ‘teacher’ in the Therapeutic Model being the community itself. It also provides a predictable environment with well-defined boundaries, as well as encouraging individuals to learn not only consistency, but also reliability, responsibility and accountability. The community as a whole provides a crucial context for change.
In Christchurch, Odyssey started in 1985 and has contracts with the Department of Corrections and the District Health Board. Currently Odyssey House Christchurch provides:
• A residential program for Adult males
• A residential program for Male and Female Youth
• A Youth Day program for Male and Females
• Post programme follow-up
• Alcohol and Drug Assessment and Treatment in prisons and the community
• Youth Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drug Community Work
• A Community Alcohol and Drug Service for Older People
• Alcohol and Drug Motivation group in a Youth Justice residence
• Alcohol and Drug support groups
• Repeat impaired Drink Driving Group
