The Yellow Gum Healing program piloted an approach to culturally adapt the Alcohol and Drug Cognitive Enhancement (ACE) Program. It highlights the importance of developing programs in partnership with the Aboriginal community to ensure treatment options are appropriate and cultural values are incorporated.
The ACE Program is being used throughout NSW, providing tools and resources that support a cognitive remediation intervention for people in alcohol and drug treatment settings.
Looking to improve outcomes for Aboriginal people, the ACI partnered with The Glen, an Aboriginal alcohol and drug residential treatment facility on the NSW Central Coast, to culturally adapt the program for Aboriginal populations.
Chris Mason is a proud Ngemba man from Brewarrina who has been a therapeutic worker at The Glen for nearly 10 years. The 35-bed residential treatment facility offers a program based on Indigenous values and spirituality, with around 60 to 70% of clients identifying as Aboriginal. When he learned of the ACE program, he was excited.
“You can abstain from drugs and alcohol, but to be able to repair the damage done to your brain is so powerful,” Chris says of the program. “It’s something that’s missing in the sector.”
When the ACI partnered with The Glen, Chris undertook the two-day training and could immediately see the opportunity to incorporate Indigenous themes. The Glen called the pilot the Yellow Gum Healing ACE program, using the elegant eucalypt as a metaphor for ‘brain regeneration’.
Drawing on Aboriginal traditions
“Yellow gum is used for smoking ceremonies on Darkinjung Country, where The Glen is located,” Chris explains. “Smoking ceremonies are about slowing our mind down, bringing us into the present and creating an opportunity for us to take in new information in a cultural way.”
Chris and other staff from The Glen drew on local Indigenous traditions to co-design the program, including:
- smoking ceremonies using yellow gum leaves at the start of each session
- yarning circles
- storytelling as a way for clients to understand the journey they were undertaking
- walks through the bush
- regular references to Mother Earth
- use of culturally relevant examples and case studies, such as examples from sport
- design of artwork using yellow gum leaves by local Indigenous artist, Kylie Cassidy (pictured right).
A model for other facilities
Regina Nagy, ACI’s Drug and Alcohol Network Manager, explains how the Yellow Gum Healing adaptation of the ACE program provides a model that can be used by other services.
“It's important to consider how programs can be tailored to reflect the local ways of healing, wellbeing and culture for Aboriginal people and communities,” she says.
Chris adds that the culturally adapted version of ACE was positively received by all clients, but one client in particular stood out. When Yellow Gum Healing was introduced, this client found it easier to retain knowledge and focus. Furthermore, he completed the program and was changed by it.
"He had used drugs and alcohol for most of his life; he was illiterate and became overwhelmed when talking about brain function. Then, to see his eyes light up as he took on new information was brilliant. He learned to listen and listened to learn. It was great to go on that journey with him and see him thrive.”
Chris and Regina would encourage other organisations to develop a program drawing on local Aboriginal knowledge. “Treatment centres like The Glen aim to give people a second chance,” says Chris. “We can help a client to repair relationships and other areas of their lives, but to repair the damage done to the brain is possible and this is a gap in service delivery in the sector for some organisations.”
He urges clinicians to consider cultural practices that can be adapted from their local area. “Look at your environment, learn about cultural practices and see what will inspire your people. To bring the ACE program into the local population, look, listen and learn.”
Learn more about Yellow Gum Healing.