At-home alcohol and drug detox program now available
29 Jul 2025
People struggling with dependence on alcohol and other drugs (AOD) can now access an at-home alcohol and drug detox program offering withdrawal and recovery support.
SWSPHN is funding Clean Slate Clinic to deliver the program for 50 clinically eligible clients from across the region.
The at-home alcohol and drug detox program will prioritise clients dependent on alcohol, stimulants and/or cannabis who:
- could not otherwise afford the program
- or are from culturally or linguistically diverse communities
SWSPHN Acting Chief Executive Officer, Amy Prince, said stigma, cultural and language barriers meant people from diverse backgrounds had significantly lower levels of access to mental health services, including AOD services.
“Stigma has been highlighted as a significant barrier to seeking assistance by GPs, consumers and service providers,” she said. “Compounding the concern, consultation with community has also identified specific issues around stigma for different communities.
“Difficulties in understanding and accessing mainstream services, and a lack of access to services which are culturally and linguistically safe, have also been identified as obstacles to seeking support.”
As part of the program, Clean Slate will work with other PHN-funded services to close the gaps in access to AOD services by providing assessment, withdrawal support and prescribing for individuals.
It will also work in partnership with SWSPHN and community organisations to increase accessibility to Clean Slate for culturally and linguistically diverse people, including awareness raising and tailoring of materials into priority languages.
More broadly, Clean Slate will provide an integrated program of assessment, withdrawal and recovery support for clients.
This will include:
- an initial comprehensive assessment by a nurse
- access to recovery groups
- doctor’s appointments to discuss recovery goals and relapse risks, and prescription of withdrawal medications
- liaison with local pharmacy
- detox support with daily nurse check-ins and clinical withdrawal assessment, and daily medication review and dispensing
- follow up appointments with a nurse for 12 months
Clean Slate will liaise closely with the client’s regular GP (with client consent) to ensure they feel supported with the client’s ongoing care coordination and management, and provide educational webinars for healthcare providers in South Western Sydney on a range of AOD topics.
Ms Prince said: “This program will not only help clients be better prepared for the withdrawal process which is both physically and psychologically challenging, but counsel them through the detox itself and provide ongoing support to help clients”.
GPs or community members with enquiries can contact Clean Slate via email at services@cleanslateclinic.com or phone 02 3813 8104. GPs interested in referring patients to the at-home alcohol and drug detox program can learn more at www.cleanslateclinic.com.
This article appeared in Practice Pulse on Wednesday, 30 July 2025. If you are a GP, practice nurse or practice manager in South Western Sydney and do not get the weekly Practice Pulse email, speak to your Practice Support Officer.