Detox@Home has been expanded after a successful soft launch in the state’s south.
A trial of a new Detox@Home program will be launched in Tasmania after a successful pilot program earlier this year.
Detox@Home provides alcohol detoxification services and recovery support to people in the privacy of their home or suitable residence – such as a residential rehabilitation space – as a substitute for in-hospital care.
A full in-reach service will now start for eligible people requiring alcohol withdrawal support in the Hobart area.
Clients experience a supported detox involving a daily home visit to receive medication and specialist assessment, followed by a virtual appointment and optional peer support later in the day.
Alongside this model, a hybrid clinic/in-home detox model will be launched in Launceston.
The northern model will initially require clients and their nominated support person to attend the Tasmanian Government’s Alcohol and Drug Service daily for clinical care.
This model will be monitored and rolled out as a full in-reach service, mirroring that in the south, in the near future.
Premier and Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing Jeremy Rockliff said the trial was an important part of the Tasmanian Government’s reform agenda for the alcohol and other drug services sector.
“The Detox@Home will complement the existing medically supervised inpatient withdrawal management service operated by the Department of Health, and additional community-based service operated by the Salvation Army,” he said.
“[We have] committed more than $1.3 million to support the trial until June 2024, at which point outcomes will be evaluated.”
The program has been developed through comprehensive consultation with lived experience advocates and family and friend representatives.
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