Home-based withdrawal service

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Adult

Home-based withdrawal services are provided in cases where the withdrawal syndrome is of mild to moderate severity and the client is able to be supported by a family member or friend at home. This service may be provided as part of the Rural Withdrawal Support Service either in conjunction with a brief hospital stay or as a complete treatment. The service is provided by an experienced nurse in conjunction with a medical practitioner.

People requiring withdrawal where the withdrawal syndrome is of mild to moderate severity and not complicated by illness or significant psychosocial problems, and where a support person is available and in the immediate vicinity during withdrawal.

• Provide a home-based withdrawal service by an experienced nurse in conjunction with a medical practitioner.
  
  
• Provide an initial assessment and physical examination of the client.
  
  
• Provide information and support to the client and support person about the course of withdrawal including information on how to deal with an emergency.
  
  
• Monitor the course of the withdrawal in liaison with the medical practitioner concerning the need for pharmacotherapy and medical care.
  
  
• Provide on-call, out-of-hours service to advise on and manage and difficulties that may arise during the withdrawal.
  
  
• Negotiate an Individual Treatment Plan with the client.
  
  
• Provide appropriate services, where relevant, to carers and families of those effected by alcohol and drug use.
  
  
• Facilitate links with other services for post-withdrawal support.

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Youth

Youth home-based withdrawal is the provision of a safe and effective drug withdrawal in the young person's home, with medical, pharmacotherapy and supportive care. It aims to provide support for both the young person undergoing withdrawal and their carer/family members, develop linkages with a range of service systems which impact on a person's life.

Young people up to the age of 21 years requiring withdrawal where the withdrawal syndrome is of not complicated by illness or significant psychosocial problems, and where a support person is available and in the immediate vicinity during withdrawal.

• Provide a home-based withdrawal service by an experienced, youth-friendly, registered nurse, in conjunction with a medical practitioner.
  
  
• Ensure that the assessment and treatment of the client is youth, gender and culturally sensitive and that practice incorporates motivational approaches to the engagement and retention of the young clients in the program.
  
  
• Ensure the availability of an appropriate support person, nominated by the client.
  
  
• Provide information and support to the client and support person about the course of withdrawal, including information on how to deal with emergencies.
  
  
• Monitor the course of withdrawal in liaison with the medical practitioner concerning the need for pharmacotherapy and medical care.
  
  
• Provide an on-call, out-of-hours service to advise on and manage issues that may arise during the course of withdrawal.
  
  
• Ensure the development of appropriate procedures for the referral, assessment, intake and exit of clients using the service.
  
  
• Develop an individual service plan in consultation with the client.
  
  
• Improve awareness of harm minimisation strategies within a developmentally appropriate framework, and increase the capacity of the individual to maintain behaviour which reduces drug related harm.
  
  
• Retain appropriate contact with the referring agency.
  
  
• Provide information and referral services for clients' carers and families.

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