Detox bed ‘bottleneck’ hinders people fighting addiction

Geelong does not have enough drug withdrawal beds and a shortfall around the state is creating a bottleneck for people seeking help, the sector’s peak body says.

Windana chief executive Andrea McLeod. Picture: Supplied

Geelong does not have enough drug detox beds and a shortfall around Victoria can create a bottleneck for people battling addiction, a peak body says.

Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association acting executive officer Scott Drummond said while Geelong had more detox beds than other regional centres, the number was still too few for a growing region.

A state government spokeswoman said support had been boosted via investment in 14 adult residential withdrawal beds at The Salvation Army in Geelong.

She said the organisation received funding for an additional two beds, up from 12, this year.

Mr Drummond said other parts of Victoria had a shortfall in residential withdrawal capacity which could cause a bottleneck to form for people seeking residential rehabilitation.

Scott Drummond from VAADA. Picture: Supplied

“This can place pressures on detox beds in other regions, as clients look further afield for help,” he said.

Andrea McLeod is chief executive of Windana, which has services including a government funded 30-bed rehabilitation facility in Geelong, and residential detox in Melbourne.

Ms McLeod said the weeks leading up to detox and rehabilitation were very complex.

“Not only are there bed-capacity challenges, but people need to put their lives on hold – particularly those looking to continue to longer-term rehabilitation,” she said.

“It’s rare that when someone decides they’re ready to enter the system that they are actually able to do so – there’s a lot of planning and support needed, which can take up to eight weeks.”

She said an increased risk of relapse and overdose came with a wait time like this.

“Our experience is that many people want to undertake their detox or rehabilitation away from their local community,” Ms McLeod said.

“There needs to be a balance of beds across the state to ensure smooth transfer between detox and rehabilitation beds.”

She said Windana would welcome the opportunity to work with the state government and stakeholders to expand the capacity of the Barwon site, including the option of having co-located detox beds.

Mr Drummond said co-locating detox and rehab services likely achieved a range of benefits.

“This may include a smoother transition from residential detox to rehabilitation,” he said.

“While ratio between residential withdrawal and rehabilitation beds has improved in recent years, there is a need … to increase the number of residential rehabilitation and withdrawal beds in general.”

Barwon Health Drugs and Alcohol Services provides non-residential withdrawal treatment and support for people both before and after residential or hospital withdrawal.

It is funded to provide services through home-based or outpatient support.

Private treatment centres in Geelong also offer detox and rehab.

The state government spokeswoman said it was dedicated to improving the outcomes of people with mental health and addiction issues.

The Salvation Army did not comment.

Originally published as Detox bed ‘bottleneck’ hinders people fighting addiction