Programs and Services

Home Based Withdrawal Program

DASWest's Home Based Withdrawal program works with clients and their General Practitioners to assist clients to reduce or cease their drug and alcohol use in an outpatient environment (generally within their own home environments).

The model operates similarly to Hospital In The Home or RDNS and follows similar protocols in relation to safety in relation to home visits. The program has flexibility in that the clients can be seen anywhere, and outreach can occur to clients on the waiting list, in the hospital, general practices in the area, and other services in the area.

For Example Client Journey, Eligibility, Referral Requirements, Expectations and Treatment Goals, click on the following link:: Home Based Withdrawal - Client Journey Map.pdf (379KB)

 

Homeless Dual Diagnosis Program

DASWest's Homeless Dual Diagnosis program works with clients who have concurrent mental health and substance misuse issues and who are simultaneously homeless. This involves developing treatment plans that take into account all these sometimes competing needs and ensuring a comprehensive and coordinated treatment episode for each client.

The Homeless Dual Diagnosis Worker works with client to reduce harms associated with drug use, address mental health issues, and link clients with a range of appropriate services.

For Example Client Journey, Eligibility, Referral Requirements, Expectations and Treatment Goals, click on the following link:Homeless Dual Diagnosis - Client Flow Map.pdf (376KB)


For Referral to Homeless dual Diagnosis Clinician click on the link: Referral to DASHomeless Dual Diagnosis Clinician.pdf (58KB)

 

Outreach Program

DASWest's Outreach Program supports clients whilst they are preparing to enter treatment, or waiting to engage with other services.

The Outreach Program aims to ensure that clients are linked with appropriate services and offers enhanced support for clients in order to facilitate their engagement with treatment services. Clients may be referred to the Outreach program via other DASWest's programs or external referrals.

For Example Client Journey, Eligibility, Referral Requirements, Expectations and Treatment Goals, click on the following link:
Outreach - Client Flow Map.pdf (386KB)

 

Post Withdrawal Linkages

The Post Withdrawal Linkages Worker ensures that clients maintain the gains they make whilst in the Community Resident Withdrawal Unit (CRWU). The Post Withdrawal Linkages Worker has a strong focus on ensuring that client's treatment plans are followed post discharge, and that clients remain engaged in drug and general health treatment programs beyond their initial withdrawal from substances. The Post Withdrawal Linkages Worker assists clients to establish and consolidate broader relationships in the community, including recreational, educational, and spiritual and employment pursuits.

The Post Withdrawal Linkages Worker accepts internal referrals from other DASWest programs.

 

Specialist Pharmacotherapy Program (SPP)

DASWest's Specialist Pharmacotherapy Service (SPP) manages clients on opioid substitution treatments. The majority of DASWest's SPP clients also have complex medical, psycho-social, or drug interactions. Clients are referred to the SPP via General Practitioners, with a view to completion of an Individual Treatment Plan, and then discharge back to community providers. The role of DASWest's Specialist Pharmacotherapy Program is to ensure that clients stabilise on their medications. In addition, SPP clinicians work with clients to ensure that psycho-social needs are addressed, so that each client is able to manage in the community.

For Example Client Journey, Eligibility, Referral Requirements, Expectations and Treatment Goals, click on following link:
SPP - Client Flow Map.pdf (382KB)

 

Women and Children's Service

DASWest's Women and Children's Service aims to provide a safe and comfortable therapeutic environment to assist women to explore, understand and make changes to a lifestyle of problematic or harmful substance use.

The Women's and Children's program is an intensive six week residential rehabilitation program with all clients having contact with staff over six days per week for therapy and life skills. The Women's and Children's Program recognises the strengths that women have already developed, and aims to provide them with an opportunity to learn new skills, so that they are less likely to require the use of a substances to cope.

For Example Client Journey, Eligibility, Referral Requirements, Expectations and Treatment Goals, click on following link:
Women_and_Children's - Client Flow Map.pdf (424KB)

 

DASWest Programs and Services - Quick Referral Guide

A summary referral guide, including DASWest Program Description, Client Eligibility, Referral Requirements and Expectations can be downloaded; click on following link:
DASWest Referral A4 Programs and Services 0710.pdf (476KB)

Addiction Medicine
Community Residential Withdrawal Unit (Adult)
Community Residential Withdrawal Unit (Youth)
Youth and Family Services and Programs
Assessment and Intake Team
Forensic Counselling Team
Drink Drive
Home Based Withdrawal Program
Homeless Dual Diagnosis Program
Outreach Program
Post Withdrawal Linkages
Specialist Pharmacotherapy Program (SPP)
Women and Children's Service
DASWest Programs and Services -Quick Referral Guide

Addiction Medicine

DASWest's Addiction Medicine Services offer specialist Consultant Physician expertise regarding medical management of Addiction issues. Addiction Medicine Physicians consult in a number of DASWest Outpatient clinics, in the Residential Withdrawal Unit, and in dedicated acute Addiction Medicine beds located at Western Health, Footscray campus. Addiction Medicine physicians provide clinical leadership, support and advice across all DASWest programs.

Our highly qualified Addiction Medicine Physicians also have other important medical specialist qualifications such as Toxicology and Adolescent Medicine.

Addiction Medicine Outpatient MBS Clinics include Drug and Alcohol, Drug Dependence and Pain Management, Specialist Pharmacotherapy.

Addiction Medicine Specialist also liaise very closely with Visiting Psychiatrists.

Head of Unit: Dr. Mike McDonough
Clinical Services Director: Dr. Ian Kronborg

Community Residential Withdrawal Unit (Adult)

The DASWest Community Residential Withdrawal Unit (CRWU) provides a supportive and safe environment whilst people undergo substance withdrawal. The Community Residential Withdrawal Unit aims to provide a safe, supportive non-discriminatory environment in which to withdraw from substance misuse; a therapeutic and educational program that promotes positive lifestyle choices; linkages to post withdrawal supports and other community based programs and organisations

For Example Client Journey, Eligibility, Referral Requirements, Expectations and Treatment Goals, click on following link:CRWU Adult - Client Flow Map.pdf (416KB)

Community Residential Withdrawal Unit (Youth)

DASWest Community Residential Withdrawal Unit (Youth) provides a supportive and safe environment whilst young people undergo substance withdrawal. The Community Residential Withdrawal Unit aims to provide a safe, supportive non-discriminatory environment in which young people can withdraw from substance misuse; therapeutic and educational program that promotes positive lifestyle choices for young people; linkages to post withdrawal supports and other community based programs and organisations

For Example Client Journey, Eligibility, Referral Requirements, Expectations and Treatment Goals, click on following link:
Youth Detox - Client Flow Map.pdf (417KB)

 

Youth and Family Services and Program

DASWest's Youth and Family Services Program offers a comprehensive range of options for young people with substance use issues. The Youth and Family Services Program currently provides assessment, alcohol and drug counselling and treatment, and secondary consultation services. The Program is the gateway for DASWest's Community Residential Withdrawal Unit (Youth). The Youth and Family Services Program also conducts youth focused training in alcohol and other drugs for clinicians from other services. The Youth and Family Services Program has strong partnerships with other agencies, including mental health, welfare, juvenile justice, child protection and other youth, family and drug and alcohol agencies.

For Example Client Journey, Eligibility, Referral Requirements, Expectations and Treatment Goals, click on following link: Youth & Family Services - Client Flow Map.pdf (390KB)

 

Assessment and Intake Team

The Assessments and Intake Team is the gateway to many DASWest clinical programs. This team conducts all Assessments for clients seeking admission to the Community Residential Withdrawal Unit (Adult). A brief telephone or face to face screening occurs prior to a comprehensive Assessment. A waitlist list for admission is managed by the Assessments Team, and beds are prioritized according to clinical need and other factors such as work commitments / child care availability. Via an Intake function, the team provides a coordinating role for clients entering DASWest services, to ensure that support is available in a safe and continuous manner.

The Assessments and Intake Team can be contacted on Phone 8345 6682 / Fax 8345 7042

 

Forensic Counselling Team

DASWest's Forensic Counsellors provide counselling care for clients who have substance misuse problems and who also have outstanding legal issues. These clients are referred by the courts and ACSO COATS and therapy is provided on a fee for service basis. Currently staff provide forensic counselling for Adult clients (18 years and above) both at the DASWest Eleanor St site and at other key sites in the region.

For Example Client Journey, Eligibility, Referral Requirements, Expectations and Treatment Goals, click on the following link:
Forensic Counselling - Client Flow Map.pdf (352KB)

 

Drink Drive

DASWest provides alcohol and drug assessments for community members who have been charged with drink/drug offences whilst driving and who are in the process of regaining their drivers licence.

This program is offered on a fee for service basis and involves an assessment of client progress towards understanding the impact of alcohol and other drug son their driving performance as well as educational session to more fully inform them of the same.

This service is offered from the DASWest Nicholson street site. For further details, phone 9689 5533.