Lives Lived Well Shanty Creek

Lives Lived Well Shanty Creek Review

Lives Lived Well is a non-profit treatment organization that provides care for clients residing throughout Queensland, Australia. Its Shanty Creek residential facility is an hour west of Cairns in the town of Mareeba. Shanty Creek specializes in the treatment of individuals of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent. Clients are over the age of 18, and usually struggling with alcohol and substance abuse. The facility offers comprehensive programming and extensive aftercare services. Dual diagnosis support is available too. Shanty Creek accepts referrals from community and government services, though that is not a requirement for treatment.

Accommodations and Food

Shanty Creek is on a beautiful 25 acre campus made up mostly of farmland. Residents share accommodations with two other residents in gender-specific villas. The facility can hold upwards of 20 individuals at a time, which provides both an intimate community and the privacy necessary to begin recovery.

The facility offers a nutritious menu and can accommodate residents with dietary restrictions or allergies.

Treatment and Staff

Before treatment, incoming clients go through a comprehensive assessment at the main office in Cairns. The evaluation includes a personal history and an account of substance use. The Lives Lived Well intake team designs an individualized treatment strategy, then the individuals go to the Shanty Creek facility. It’s worth noting, Shanty Creek does not offer detox. Clients must enter the program sober. Consequently, many individuals complete detox at a partnering program before admittance.

The facility offers a multifaceted treatment approach that includes a range of therapeutic and medical services. Clients have regular visits with a general practitioner as well as specialists. Participants can expect regular individual and group therapy. Shanty Creek also facilitates job skills training, literacy classes and health education. The program integrates holistic practices including mindfulness meditation, recreation and crafting. Because Lives Lived Well believes relapse prevention is a key component to the success of a sustainable recovery, clients learn various coping strategies like stress management and avoiding triggers. In addition, the facility directs clients to a support network in the community.

The Shanty Creek team has physicians, psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors and a nurse. Specialists include dentists and optometrists. Finally, medical services and medication management are available for clients with non-severe co-occurring mental and physical conditions.

Residents that complete the Shanty Creek program have the option of staying in a sober transitional home.

In Summary

The Lives Lived Well organization’s Shanty Creek facility fosters a solid residential treatment experience. Above all, Shanty Creek places an emphasis on counseling, case management, medical services and holistic methods, as well as sober living accommodations and employment services. The program is an excellent option for clients native to the area.