Alcohol and Other Drug AND Mental Health Services Directory

Free and confidential counselling is available for service users who want to
stop using or cut down their substance use. Counselling is provided by case
managers, counsellors and psychologists and is also available to partners and
family members.
Ambulant and outreach withdrawal services are available for individuals who want
to withdraw from alcohol, opiates, cannabis, amphetamines and benzodiazepines.
Clients are assessed to identify the best withdrawal option which could include:
daily assessment at withdrawal services, (service user resides at home); daily
home visits by case manager (for alcohol and cannabis withdrawal only);
residential withdrawal referral to a nongovernment agency for co-management.
The Withdrawal Service provides counselling and support. Service users attend
the Withdrawal Service offices as outpatients. Relapse prevention strategies are
also provided.
To assist service users to withdraw from drug use some pharmacotherapies
are available under a managed program, including Buprenorphine, Subutex/
Suboxone, Biodone, Naltrexone and Campral. Service users have to be assessed
for admission to the pharmacotherapy program and, if suitable, must follow the
program protocols to ensure their safety. Waiting lists may apply.
The Opiate Pharmacotherapies program is confidential and requires participants
to sign a behavioural contract and obtain authorization from the Poisons Branch,
prior to commencing the program. The pharmacotherapies are prescribed by
a doctor and are free while dosing at TAODS, from Monday to Saturday. The
TAODS pharmacy is closed on Sundays.
As service users progress through their treatment they move to dosing at local
pharmacies, however this incurs a daily pharmacy-dosing fee. The TAODS Opiate
Pharmacotherapy Program is only provided from the Royal Darwin Hospital
Office, however arrangements can be put in place for service users outside the
Darwin area.
Access to assistance regarding volatile substance abuse (VSA) is via referral
under the Volatile Substance Abuse Prevention Act 2006. Once referred an
assessment is undertaken and if required either voluntary treatment or (for people
at risk who are refusing treatment) mandated treatment is provided.
The VSA team provides assessment, education, counselling, case management
and support for the clients, their families in urban, rural and remote communities.
Additional Locations
A limited service is provided at the Palmerston Health Precinct on Monday
afternoon by appointment. Case management, counselling and medical reviews
are available. Appointments for this clinic are made through the main TAODS
number above.
82