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On this page we’ll tell you about our detox at home (non-residential withdrawal) service, and how it can support you to detox from alcohol or other drugs in a familiar place.

Fast facts

  • Program type: Alcohol/drug detox (withdrawal)
  • Program length: 14 days (approx.)
  • Location: In your home
  • Areas available: South-Eastern Melbourne and Frankston-Mornington Peninsula
  • Cost: Free (medication at client's expense)
  • Referral: Contact DirectLine, your local Intake & Assessment service or speak to your doctor

What is non-residential withdrawal?

This service supports people to safely detox from alcohol or other drugs at home, or another safe place. It’s called “non-residential” because you do not physically stay with Windana during your detox program.

The detox at home program is tailored to your needs. With your GP, we develop a plan to make sure your detox process is as comfortable as possible. During your program we visit you at home, or meet you in another suitable place, and we can also call you to check in.

We offer detox at home to clients who live or stay in the South-Eastern Melbourne and Frankston-Mornington Peninsula areas. If you don’t live in these areas but still want to detox at home, contact DirectLine or your local Intake and Assessment service as another agency might offer a similar program in your area.

Who are the team?

Our detox at home team includes nurses and Case Managers.

Your nurse directly works with you during your program.

Here’s a message from a member of our team:

“Our service is here to support you at home – if that’s the place you feel safest and most secure. It offers an alternative to coming to stay with us for withdrawal. Everybody is different – and during your intake/assessment you’ll be supported to find the best setting for you. We work with people from all backgrounds ready to take that brave step of withdrawal, so nobody has to do it alone. Care, non-judgement and the firm belief that people can rebuild their lives is what drives us.”

What can I expect?

Before detox

Your nurse will work with you to identify goals. These shape your treatment plan.

We’ll make sure you have:

  • A support person living with you or someone who is coming to stay (where possible and appropriate)
  • A supportive GP (who can also provide discharge support post withdrawal)
  • A pharmacy you can get to easily.

We’ll also confirm the safety of your home (e.g. no danger from overprotective pets or drug use by other residents). If there are any concerns here, we’ll explore meeting at a doctor’s clinic or another safe place.

During detox

We provide regular support during the detox process. You’ll also need to see your GP for review and get to the pharmacy to pick up any daily medications.

Usually, programs run for about two weeks. Exact length will depend on your needs and is influenced by previous detox experience and level of dependence.

After detox

Your nurse can refer you to further support services – including medical, rehabilitation and family services. We’ll also talk about diet and lifestyle to make healthy choices.

Eligibility: Is non-residential withdrawal for me?

This is a question you won’t have to answer alone. Your referrer will help you decide whether this program is right for you (more about this below).

The detox at home program may be suitable if you:

  • Are aged 18 years or older
  • Can get to your GP and pharmacy for review and to collect medication
  • Are not experiencing medical or physical conditions that may become unstable during detox.

How do I get referred?

You can start the process in three ways:

When you speak to DirectLine or your local Intake and Assessment service, they will get to know you better and help identify your individual treatment needs.

This is when you will get referred to the actual treatment programs or services. You can tell them that you wish to be referred to Windana’s Non-residential Withdrawal Service.

We also accept referrals from GPs and other clinicians, so please feel free to talk with your doctor about getting referred to us. A way you can help the process is by showing your doctor this webpage and asking for a blood test (for LFT, FBE, U&E, Vit D, Vit B, Folate) as the results will help us get a basic understanding of your health needs. You can show your doctor this webpage so they know what we are looking for in your blood test. 

GPs can email (Frankston-Mornington Peninsula) or (Dandenong and South-East) to fast-track specific Non-Residential Withdrawal Requests.

For more information, you can also call Windana Monday to Friday, 9:00am-4:30pm on 03 9529 7955.

Top 5 questions about the detox at home program

One of our nurses, Lena, answers some questions people often ask about our program.

  1. Why do some people choose to do a detox at home program?
    Being able to stay at home makes detox possible for more people. Some people have kids, work commitments, pets, plants or can’t easily travel to a detox unit. People also often choose to face challenges in their home environment. It’s all about each client’s needs and goals.
  2. Can anyone do a detox program at home?
    Before you start a detox at home program, we make sure you have a safe space to stay, that you can get to the doctor and pharmacy and that your health is stable. If there are any concerns, a residential detox such as our program in St Kilda might be a better fit.
  3. I don’t have my own home – am I still eligible for this program?
    Yes. We just need to make sure you have a stable place to stay, where we can safely visit you. If you’ve got somewhere safe and suitable for you to stay but for some reason it isn’t safe for us to visit, we might be able to meet you in a public place, such as a doctor’s clinic.
  4. I live with people – is that okay?
    Absolutely – we have many clients who live with their friends, family, partners and pets.
  5. What would I be doing during the day while detoxing at home?
    This all depends on your goals and what we come up with together in your treatment plan. On a typical day, you would have a session with your nurse, practice some strategies to help manage how you’re feeling and go to the pharmacy.

More information

Click below to download a two-page leaflet about the detox at home program.

This leaflet includes most of the information on this page and can be printed at home or emailed.

Download the Non-Residential Withdrawal Service leaflet

File size is approximately 2 MB.

Last Updated on February 1, 2024

Detox at home (non-residential withdrawal)

On this page we’ll tell you about our detox at home (non-residential withdrawal) service, and how it can support you to detox from alcohol or other drugs in a familiar place..

Fast facts.

  • Program type: Alcohol/drug detox (withdrawal)
  • Program length: 14 days (approx.)
  • Location: In your home
  • Areas available: South-Eastern Melbourne and Frankston-Mornington Peninsula
  • Cost: Free (medication at client's expense)
  • Referral: Contact DirectLine, your local Intake & Assessment service or speak to your doctor

What is non-residential withdrawal?.

This service supports people to safely detox from alcohol or other drugs at home, or another safe place. It’s called “non-residential” because you do not physically stay with Windana during your detox program.

The detox at home program is tailored to your needs. With your GP, we develop a plan to make sure your detox process is as comfortable as possible. During your program we visit you at home, or meet you in another suitable place, and we can also call you to check in.

We offer detox at home to clients who live or stay in the South-Eastern Melbourne and Frankston-Mornington Peninsula areas. If you don’t live in these areas but still want to detox at home, contact DirectLine or your local Intake and Assessment service as another agency might offer a similar program in your area.

Who are the team?.

Our detox at home team includes nurses and Case Managers.

Your nurse directly works with you during your program.

Here’s a message from a member of our team:

“Our service is here to support you at home – if that’s the place you feel safest and most secure. It offers an alternative to coming to stay with us for withdrawal. Everybody is different – and during your intake/assessment you’ll be supported to find the best setting for you. We work with people from all backgrounds ready to take that brave step of withdrawal, so nobody has to do it alone. Care, non-judgement and the firm belief that people can rebuild their lives is what drives us.”

What can I expect?.

Before detox

Your nurse will work with you to identify goals. These shape your treatment plan.

We’ll make sure you have:

  • A support person living with you or someone who is coming to stay (where possible and appropriate)
  • A supportive GP (who can also provide discharge support post withdrawal)
  • A pharmacy you can get to easily.

We’ll also confirm the safety of your home (e.g. no danger from overprotective pets or drug use by other residents). If there are any concerns here, we’ll explore meeting at a doctor’s clinic or another safe place.

During detox

We provide regular support during the detox process. You’ll also need to see your GP for review and get to the pharmacy to pick up any daily medications.

Usually, programs run for about two weeks. Exact length will depend on your needs and is influenced by previous detox experience and level of dependence.

After detox

Your nurse can refer you to further support services – including medical, rehabilitation and family services. We’ll also talk about diet and lifestyle to make healthy choices.

Eligibility: Is non-residential withdrawal for me?.

This is a question you won’t have to answer alone. Your referrer will help you decide whether this program is right for you (more about this below).

The detox at home program may be suitable if you:

  • Are aged 18 years or older
  • Can get to your GP and pharmacy for review and to collect medication
  • Are not experiencing medical or physical conditions that may become unstable during detox.

How do I get referred?.

You can start the process in three ways:

When you speak to DirectLine or your local Intake and Assessment service, they will get to know you better and help identify your individual treatment needs.

This is when you will get referred to the actual treatment programs or services. You can tell them that you wish to be referred to Windana’s Non-residential Withdrawal Service.

We also accept referrals from GPs and other clinicians, so please feel free to talk with your doctor about getting referred to us. A way you can help the process is by showing your doctor this webpage and asking for a blood test (for LFT, FBE, U&E, Vit D, Vit B, Folate) as the results will help us get a basic understanding of your health needs. You can show your doctor this webpage so they know what we are looking for in your blood test. 

GPs can email (Frankston-Mornington Peninsula) or (Dandenong and South-East) to fast-track specific Non-Residential Withdrawal Requests.

For more information, you can also call Windana Monday to Friday, 9:00am-4:30pm on 03 9529 7955.

Top 5 questions about the detox at home program.

One of our nurses, Lena, answers some questions people often ask about our program.

  1. Why do some people choose to do a detox at home program?
    Being able to stay at home makes detox possible for more people. Some people have kids, work commitments, pets, plants or can’t easily travel to a detox unit. People also often choose to face challenges in their home environment. It’s all about each client’s needs and goals.
  2. Can anyone do a detox program at home?
    Before you start a detox at home program, we make sure you have a safe space to stay, that you can get to the doctor and pharmacy and that your health is stable. If there are any concerns, a residential detox such as our program in St Kilda might be a better fit.
  3. I don’t have my own home – am I still eligible for this program?
    Yes. We just need to make sure you have a stable place to stay, where we can safely visit you. If you’ve got somewhere safe and suitable for you to stay but for some reason it isn’t safe for us to visit, we might be able to meet you in a public place, such as a doctor’s clinic.
  4. I live with people – is that okay?
    Absolutely – we have many clients who live with their friends, family, partners and pets.
  5. What would I be doing during the day while detoxing at home?
    This all depends on your goals and what we come up with together in your treatment plan. On a typical day, you would have a session with your nurse, practice some strategies to help manage how you’re feeling and go to the pharmacy.

More information.

Click below to download a two-page leaflet about the detox at home program.

This leaflet includes most of the information on this page and can be printed at home or emailed.
.

Download the Non-Residential Withdrawal Service leaflet.

File size is approximately 2 MB..

Detox at home (non-residential withdrawal)

On this page we’ll tell you about our detox at home (non-residential withdrawal) service, and how it can support you to detox from alcohol or other drugs in a familiar place.

Fast facts.

  • Program type
    Alcohol/drug detox (withdrawal)
  • Program length
    14 days (approx.)
  • Location
    In your home
  • Areas available
    South-Eastern Melbourne, Frankston-Mornington Peninsula and Barwon
  • Cost
    Free (medication at client’s expense)
  • Referral
    Contact DirectLine, your local Intake & Assessment service or speak to your doctor

What is non-residential withdrawal?

This service supports people to safely detox from alcohol or other drugs at home, or another safe place. It’s called “non-residential” because you do not physically stay with Windana during your detox program.

The detox at home program is tailored to your needs. With your GP, we develop a plan to make sure your detox process is as comfortable as possible. During your program we visit you at home, or meet you in another suitable place, and we can also call you to check in.

We offer detox at home to clients who live or stay in the South-Eastern Melbourne, Frankston-Mornington Peninsula and Barwon areas. If you don’t live in these areas but still want to detox at home, contact DirectLine or your local Intake and Assessment service as another agency might offer a similar program in your area.

Who are the team?

Our detox at home team includes nurses and Case Managers.

Your nurse directly works with you during your program.

Here’s a message from the Windana staff member who leads our caring team of nurses

“Our service is here to support you at home – if that’s the place you feel safest and most secure. It offers an alternative to coming to stay with us for withdrawal. Everybody is different – and during your intake/assessment you’ll be supported to find the best setting for you. We work with people from all backgrounds ready to take that brave step of withdrawal, so nobody has to do it alone. Care, non-judgement and the firm belief that people can rebuild their lives is what drives us.”

What can I expect?

Before detox

Your nurse will work with you to identify goals. These shape your treatment plan.

We’ll make sure you have

  • A support person living with you or someone who is coming to stay (where possible and appropriate)
  • A supportive GP (who can also provide discharge support post withdrawal)
  • A pharmacy you can get to easily.

We’ll also confirm the safety of your home (e.g. no danger from overprotective pets or drug use by other residents). If there are any concerns here, we’ll explore meeting at a doctor’s clinic or another safe place.

During detox

We provide regular support during the detox process. You’ll also need to see your GP for review and get to the pharmacy to pick up any daily medications.

Usually, programs run for about two weeks. Exact length will depend on your needs and is influenced by previous detox experience and level of dependence.

After detox

Your nurse can refer you to further support services – including medical, rehabilitation and family services. We’ll also talk about diet and lifestyle to make healthy choices.

Eligibility: Is non-residential withdrawal for me?

This is a question you won’t have to answer alone. Your referrer will help you decide whether this program is right for you (more about this below)

The detox at home program may be suitable if you

  • Are aged 18 years or older
  • Can get to your GP and pharmacy for review and to collect medication
  • Are not experiencing medical or physical conditions that may become unstable during detox.

How do I get referred?

You can start the process in three ways:

When you speak to DirectLine or your local Intake and Assessment service, they will get to know you better and help identify your individual treatment needs.

This is when you will get referred to the actual treatment programs or services. You can tell them that you wish to be referred to Windana’s Non-residential Withdrawal Service.

We also accept referrals from GPs and other clinicians, so please feel free to talk with your doctor about getting referred to us. A way you can help the process is by showing your doctor this webpage and asking for a blood test (for LFT, FBE, U&E, Vit D, Vit B, Folate) as the results will help us get a basic understanding of your health needs. You can show your doctor this webpage so they know what we are looking for in your blood test.  GPs can email (Frankston-Mornington Peninsula) or (Dandenong and South-East) to fast-track specific Non-Residential Withdrawal Requests.

For more information, you can also call Windana Monday to Friday, 9:00am-4:30pm on 03 9529 7955.

Top 5 questions about the detox at home program.

One of our nurses, Lena, answers some questions people often ask about our program.

  1. Why do some people choose to do a detox at home program?
    Being able to stay at home makes detox possible for more people. Some people have kids, work commitments, pets, plants or can’t easily travel to a detox unit. People also often choose to face challenges in their home environment. It’s all about each client’s needs and goals.
  2. Can anyone do a detox program at home?
    Before you start a detox at home program, we make sure you have a safe space to stay, that you can get to the doctor and pharmacy and that your health is stable. If there are any concerns, a residential detox such as our program in St Kilda might be a better fit.
  3. I don’t have my own home – am I still eligible for this program?
    Yes. We just need to make sure you have a stable place to stay, where we can safely visit you. If you’ve got somewhere safe and suitable for you to stay but for some reason it isn’t safe for us to visit, we might be able to meet you in a public place, such as a doctor’s clinic.
  4. I live with people – is that okay?
    Absolutely – we have many clients who live with their friends, family, partners and pets.
  5. What would I be doing during the day while detoxing at home?
    This all depends on your goals and what we come up with together in your treatment plan. On a typical day, you would have a session with your nurse, practice some strategies to help manage how you’re feeling and go to the pharmacy.

More information.

Click below to download a two-page leaflet about the detox at home program.

This leaflet includes most of the information on this page and can be printed at home or emailed.
.

Download a detox at home service leaflet.

File size is approximately 1 MB.

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Windana is committed to providing inclusive and safe services for LGBTIQ+ communities, and is working towards becoming a Rainbow Tick accredited organisation.