Doctor and patient demand improved regional substance abuse services as travel to Adelaide hinders recovery

Just hours after police saved him from attempting suicide a man says he was released from Mount Gambier Hospital without the help he needed. Now he is demanding change.

Adam Scott-Gilbertson attempted sucide and says he was told to go home after 12 hours at the Mount Gambier Hospital. Picture: Jessica Ball

Adam Scott-Gilbertson is alive because the police broke down his door and foiled his suicide attempt.

He is speaking up in hopes no one else has to go through what he has and believes the first step is increasing access to alcohol rehabilitation services in the region.

“I tried to hang myself about four months ago and the police had to knock my door down because I was in a really depressive state and I needed to be in a hospital,” Mr Scott-Gilbertson said.

The Compton man was glad emergency services intervened but said once he arrived at Mount Gambier Hospital he feels he did not receive the help he needed.

Adam Scott-Gilbertson at his Compton home with his support parrot Chloe. Picture: Jessica Ball

“I spent 12 hours there, they spoke to me for half an hour and sent me home,” he said.

Mr Scott-Gilbertson lives with chronic anxiety, depression, agoraphobia and admits to drinking half a litre of gin a day as a coping mechanism.

He wants to give up drinking, and has tried detoxing three times – twice at home and a once at an Adelaide facility – and has done five stints in rehab.

Each time he detoxed he has experienced seizures, making him a poor candidate for at home services, which is predominantly what is offered in Mount Gambier.

“The problem is you go to rehab and then they send you home and there’s not enough follow up,” Mr Scott-Gilbertson said.

“Every time I’ve got out, I’ve had massive anxiety and they don’t address that and that’s the reason I drink.”

Mr Scott-Gilbertson says people with comorbidity (one or more additional conditions at the same time as their primary condition) like him struggle to find their place in the mental health system.

He said something needs to change for those battling alcohol addiction in the region.

“They wait until the crisis point when you’ve tried to hurt yourself or tried to hurt someone else,” he said.

“My counsellor even said she’s had clients that did intentionally hurt themselves just so they can get in there and get help.

“I've got a lot of concerns that a lot of people need help and they’re not giving it to them.”

Local GP Dr Kevin McEntee from Morningside House Family Practice said there was not enough funding and facilities in Mount Gambier.

“The current services are inadequate for managing the crises of mental health and substance abuse, despite the best efforts of local allied health professionals,” Dr McEntee said.

Morningside House Family Practice in Mount Gambier. Picture: Jessica Ball

“Having local detoxification therapy, including allocated inpatient beds, is a major factor in the success or otherwise of drug and alcohol management.

“Our patients have to travel to Adelaide or other regional centres like Naracoorte. There is no question that this travel hinders the likely success of therapy.

“We need to be lobbying local federal politicians to obtain these essential resources and if necessary people must be prepared to pay increased taxes as part of the solution.”

In 2019, $3m in additional Commonwealth funding was committed over three years for alcohol and drug rehabilitation services in the Limestone Coast.

It included SA Health funding six residential rehabilitation beds in Mount Gambier through Uniting Communities to service the region.

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A SA Health spokesperson said Drug and Alcohol Services South Australia provided and co-ordinated care with people admitted to inpatient withdrawal services across the state that best fit their needs including local hospitals.

“All patients needing medical treatment, including for drug and alcohol rehabilitation, will be cared for within our services across the state as clinically appropriate – no patient will be turned away,” the spokesperson said.

“We know drug and alcohol rehabilitation services are best provided in the community so people can recover close to home, surrounded by their support systems.

“Mount Gambier Hospital is currently undergoing service planning to identify opportunities for future service provisions and the need for increased drug and alcohol services will be identified and considered in partnership with DASSA.”