Sometimes called mutual aid groups, regular peer support groups offer an opportunity to share and learn from other people with similar life experiences. 

Open to everyone in our community, there is no need to enrol or register. We do ask that you arrive on time for your group, as a courtesy to our facilitators and other attendees.

SMART Recovery groups in Auckland and Whangārei
SMART Recovery (Self-Management and Recovery Training) is an evidence-based approach based on Cognitive Behaviour Therapy.

It was developed as an alternative to existing 12-Step groups to support people with mild to moderate addiction challenges in a community setting.  

SMART Recovery focuses on:

• Building and maintaining motivation

• Coping with urges

• Problem solving and lifestyle balance through engaging with others

• Short-term goal setting.

Odyssey offers weekly SMART Recovery groups in New Lynn, Whangārei and also online. Each group is co-facilitated by a SMART Recovery-trained clinician and peer.

Participants learn skills and techniques that support goal-setting and self-directed change. Peers are encouraged to share practical experiences with each other, with an emphasis on the here and now (i.e. the past seven days or the next seven days). On completion of the programme, participants may also work towards becoming trained co-facilitators.

SMART Recovery schedule:

New Lynn: Wednesdays, 1:30pm-3:00pm
Whangārei: Wednesdays, 5:30-7:00pm; Thursdays, 10:30am-12:00pm

NA meetings

We host Narcotics Anonymous (NA) 12-Step meetings each week at our New Lynn hub.

New Lynn: Thursdays, 7:30pm

Odyssey offers free one-day support workshops for methamphetamine users in Northland to make different choices about their meth use.  The workshops are designed for mild to moderate users of methamphetamine and provide a relaxed, non-confrontational space to:  

• Learn more about the effects, cravings and health impacts of your methamphetamine use

• Identify areas you might like to focus on to help reduce or stop using meth

• Work on a relapse prevention plan.

‘Choice’ is part of the Te Ara Oranga (The path to wellbeing) programme, a partnership between Northland DHB and NZ Police.

Whangarei: 3rd Wednesday of each month, 9:00am-3:00pm. Lunch provided. 
Kaipara: every second month, 9:00am-3:00pm. Lunch provided. 
(Please contact us directly for next available dates)

To sign up or to find out more:  Please email us or speak with our Northland community team on 09 982 8054.

At our community hub in Auckland, we offer pre-admission groups for people who are getting ready to stay with us, or who may be on our waiting list.

We also offer opportunities for tāngata whai ora to stay connected with Odyssey after staying with us.

Pre-admission group
Whangarei: Wednesdays, 10:00-11:00am

Graduates’ group
New Lynn:  Coming soon! 

Aftercare group
New Lynn: Fridays, 12:00-1:30pm

Online: Tuesday, 6:00pm-7:00pm. Via Teams, please contact us for joining instructions.

If you are thinking about coming to stay with us, or looking for support after staying with us, you might also like to check out our peer-to-peer support groups like SMART Recovery in Auckland and Whangārei or our Choice methamphetamine workshops in Whangarei.

In Auckland and Whangārei we offer free, weekly Be SMART* support groups for people whose lives are impacted by the addictive behaviours of someone close to them.

These small groups offer family members and whānau a supportive environment to share their experiences and learn useful tools and techniques such as self-care, safety and support, assertive communication and problem-solving.

Our trained facilitators will help you understand more about addictive behaviours and can also provide guidance on coping with lapses.

*SMART = Self-Management And Recovery Training

Be SMART groups

New Lynn: Coming Soon! Please contact us to register interest
Whangarei: Mondays, 5:00-6:30pm