Withdrawal management is an important component of an alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment system. With General Practitioners having good rapport with their patients and being integrated into their community, they play a vital role in discussing and managing withdrawal treatment options for those who present with lived experience of alcohol and other drugs.

This podcast aims to inform clinicians on how to identify, support and refer patients who may need withdrawal management from alcohol and other drugs. It also touches on how to talk to patients about withdrawal management and engaging them in options outside of withdrawal treatment. It is an evidence based insightful discussion between a GP staff specialist, Dr Robert Page, and the Chief Addiction Medicine Specialist at the Centre for Alcohol and other Drugs, Dr Deborah Zador.

Resources:

Management of withdrawal from Alcohol and Other Drugs – Clinical Guidance – https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/aod/professionals/Publications/clinical-guidance-withdrawal-alcohol-and-other-drugs.pdf

Management of withdrawal from Alcohol and Other Drugs – Handbook –

https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/aod/professionals/Publications/handbook%20managing%20withdrawal%20alcohol%20and%20other%20drugs.pdf

Evidence Check Management of withdrawal from Alcohol and Other Drugs – https://www.saxinstitute.org.au/wp-content/uploads/20.08_Evidence-Check_Management-of-withdrawal-from-alcohol-and-other-drugs.pdf

Withdrawal management and residential rehabilitation services – https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/aod/Pages/wmrs-contact.aspx

Take home naloxone program – https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/aod/programs/Pages/naloxone.aspx

The Drug and Alcohol Specialist Advisory Service (DASAS) – https://www.dacas.org.au/

Screening forms for substance use – https://www.sbirt.care/tools.aspx

RACGP resources to assist GPs managing patients undergoing alcohol withdrawal as an outpatient –

https://www.racgp.org.au/education/professional-development/online-learning/webinars/drugs-and-alcohol/a-practical-guide-to-alcohol-home-detox-for-gp%E2%80%99s

Nicotine withdrawal from NSW Health has separate Guidelines for managing tobacco cessation –

https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/tobacco/Pages/managing-nicotine-dependence.aspx