Alcohol and other drug Related Brain Injury Australian Services

In January 1989 Ms Marilyn Hage convened a meeting held at the St. Vincent's Department of Community Medicine. In attendance were a group of people who shared a vision to establish a service that supported people with alcohol related brain impairment.

The Reference Group included

• Ms. Christine Clifford
• Mr. Tim Costello
• Mr. Les Drew
• Ms Marilyn Hage
• Ms. Margaret Hamilton
• Ms. Jeni Lee
• Ms. Maureen Molloy
• Mr. Ian Paxton
• Ms. Pat Wilkinson and
• Ms. Beverley Wood.

In the beginning, the primary focus of arbias was to provide accommodation and support for homeless people with alcohol related brain damage.

By mid 1990, a Management Committee was formed. Staff were appointed in August 1990 and services commenced in September 1990. In October 1990 arbias moved into its first premises located at 226 Gertrude Street Fitzroy.

Over the course of almost two decades, arbias has developed into an internationally recognised leader in the area of alcohol and other drug related brain damage. By 2007, arbias employed 60 employees in the area of Neuropsychology, Research, Workforce Training and Development, Social Work and Community Development. Its website is now accessed by thousands of people and organisations across the world in search of information on what remains a highly prevalent yet preventable disorder.

Alcohol and other drug Related Brain Injury Australian Services (arbias) provides information, consultancy and training nationally and internationally. In Victoria, the service provides support to over 3,000 people each year, most of whom have the implications of alcohol or other drug related brain damage.

The arbias Vision is a world free of alcohol or other drug related brain impairment. Its organisational values of commitment, social justice and respect are underpinned by 6 key objectives and include:

Prevention: Identify and address factors leading to alcohol and other substance related brain impairment.

Intervention: Provide immediate services through secondary consultation, crisis intervention and monitoring.

Treatment: Provide a range of specialist services for people with alcohol and other substance related brain impairment and associated complex needs.

Awareness Raising: Actively promote issues of alcohol and other substance related brain impairment with policy makers, service providers and the community.

Education: Develop and enhance the knowledge and skills required to work effectively with people who have an alcohol and other substance related brain impairment.

Research: Undertake research in alcohol and other substance related brain impairment which informs current and future service provision and policy development.

Lifetime Friends of arbias

Lifetime Friends of arbias is an acknowledgement awarded by the board of directors for substantial contribution to people with alcohol or other substance related brain impairment.

• View current Lifetime Friends of arbias Ltd