Detox@Home

About Detox@Home

• Detox@Home is a community based, medically assisted, alcohol withdrawal program.
• Detox@Home clients are supported by a team of specialist alcohol and other drug (AOD) clinical staff and qualified peer workers with lived expertise.
• Detox@Home is a specialised service providing alcohol detoxification support to help clients progress on their recovery journey.
• The service is provided at a client’s permanent or temporary residence (including private residences, shelters and residential care facilities).
• The service is guided by principles of person-centred, trauma informed and recovery orientated care.
• The service aims to improve access to timely, appropriate, and evidence-based managed withdrawal support (also known as managed detox).

Eligibility

This service is available to clients who

• are aged over the age of 18
• have an appropriate and safe place in which they can complete a five-day detoxification process
• have someone who they can nominate as a support person to support them for the duration of the five-day detoxification process (or have an appropriate support plan in place where a support person is not identified)
• agree to have post detox follow up support to guide and support the client’s recovery journey to follow the five-day detoxification process
• have no medical or mental health reasons not to proceed (for example, complex health needs)

How to access

The program operates from two locations in Tasmania - Launceston (north) and New Town (south).

• The service in the north is trialling an ambulatory model. This operates as an outpatient model from 13 Mulgrave Street, Launceston (with a view to expand to a full home-based model in the future). Under this model, clients will attend the service daily for clinical care and detox support.
• The service in the south operates within a 40km radius of St John’s Park, New Town (please note: these boundaries are flexible and can be extended on a case by case basis)

Admission to Detox@Home is via the Alcohol and Drug Service (ADS).

Accessing the service is free, voluntary, and confidential.

Learn more about accessing alcohol and drug services

Who will support you?

The service consists of a specialised, multidisciplinary, alcohol and other drug (AOD) team.

• Medical Officer
• Clinical Nurse Consultant
• Clinical Nurse Specialist
• Peer Workers
• Pharmacist

Our services

As a client of the Detox@Home service, we will provide you with:

• supervised withdrawal management support in your home (or another appropriate and safe location), or with support from a local clinic.
• care planning (in consultation with you and the person you have identified as your support person).
• regular support during the detoxification process, including peer-to-peer discussions and medication management to help manage withdrawal symptoms.
• information regarding diagnosis, treatment, discharge arrangements to you and the person you have identified as your support person.
• post- discharge follow up.

Your privacy

• We protect your privacy while in our care.
• Any discussions between you and your doctor, nurse, peer worker or other health service provider are confidential.
• There are some rare situations where personal information may have to be released. We will explain these to you prior to admission.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why do some people choose to do a Detox@Home Program?

Being able to stay at home (or in another safe and appropriate location) makes detox possible for more people. 

Some people have children, work or volunteer commitments (although we do recommend time off work for the duration of treatment), pets, housing difficulties, or cannot easily travel to a detox unit. People also often choose to face challenges in their own home environment. It is all about the person’s individual needs and goals.

What is the Detox@Home Program?

Our program is a community based, medically assisted, alcohol withdrawal service supported by a team of specialist alcohol and other drug (AOD) clinical staff and qualified peer workers with lived experience.

How long does the program last?

The program is five (5) days and includes daily monitoring of your health and progress of the detoxification. The program includes face to face and over the phone support.

I don't have a support person. Can I still access this program?

Detox@Home works closely with family and friends and relies on their support and assistance to administer your care in the home. 

If you do not have a support person, you can still access Detox@Home. However, you will need to have an appropriate support plan in place. We can work with you to identify a suitable plan. 

Inpatient treatment is also available if there is no support person or appropriate support plan available to you.

I don't have access to safe permanent home. Can I still access this program?

Detox@Home requires a safe and supportive environment. We understand that this can look a bit different for each person. 

Generally, the Detox@Home program is provided at a client’s permanent or temporary residence (including private residences, shelters, and residential care facilities). Our team can work with you to identify the most appropriate detoxification environment for you.

Inpatient treatment is also available where an appropriate and safe environment for detox is not available.

I don't reside within the 40 kms of Alcohol and Drug Services. What's my other option?

Clients residing outside of this kilometre range may access the Detox@Home Program. An assessment will be made on a case-by-case basis based on the distance between your chosen place of detox and the relevant Alcohol and Drug Service base (in New Town and Launceston).

Inpatient treatment is also available to clients residing outside of this kilometre range.

Are the detox at home models the same in the North and South of the State?

In the South of the State, the program is operating as a fully 'in-home' model. This means Detox@Home team members will arrive at your home daily to support you through your five-day detox process.

In the North of the State, the program will initially operate as an 'ambulatory' model. This means that you will attend 13 Mulgrave St daily to receive support from the Detox@Home team over your five-day detox process. We plan to extend into a fully in-home model in the future.

What happens if I drink alcohol during my detox?

You will be required to undergo breathalyser testing on every home/site visit. You must remain abstinent from alcohol for the duration of the treatment. If you have a positive blood alcohol reading immediate cessation of the treatment will occur and the Detox@Home team will reassess if further engagement is suitable.

Will I have after hours support?

Yes. You will be provided with an out of hours contact number for the Alcohol and Drug Service Inpatient Withdrawal Unit. The Unit is staffed 24/7 by specially trained nurses that will assist you in providing any advice necessary.

What resources will I have access to?

We strongly recommend going through our factsheets that will be made available to you before you start the program. Our factsheets includes information and strategies that will further help you with your detox journey or supporting your friend/family.

What ongoing support is available?

Follow up support after detox is required for ongoing recovery. This will be organised as part of your treatment plan and can include ADS community team or an alternative general practitioner or AOD counselling service provider.

Resources

• Participating in the Detox@Home program
• Supporting someone through a detox
• Information for referrers

We have a limited range of printable resources available by request. Please use our online form to view and request our current promotional resources.

Request resources

Other support services