Duncan is a 58-year-old indigenous man who moved to Melbourne in his 20s for work and found community connections in and around St Kilda. He is sociable, loves a chat and a laugh, has friends and family that care about him, and care for him.
Duncan had an industrial accident in his late 40s that changed the course of his life. During his recovery, he was prescribed significant amounts of opioid painkillers. Despite early attempts to reduce his use, it went the other way, perhaps exacerbated by significant childhood trauma that had lingered with him.
After almost 10 years of using prescription and illicit opioids, being unable to re-enter the workforce and managing housing insecurity, Duncan finally reached out to First Step for help.
Duncan now sees a First Step GP and is on opioid replacement therapy. He’s begun sessions with our psychologist to address his childhood and other traumas. And, he has received support from our Recovery Funding program to purchase a bicycle so he can get around.
What this all really means is that his risk of overdose, injury, chronic disease, misadventure and homelessness are all greatly reduced.
Duncan now has secure housing, is still telling jokes, and is feeling like there is hope in the future. “I feel a lot more like the old Dunc’ again these days. I might even catch a train north to see the family sometime soon.”
