For Health Professionals
We welcome referrals into our Alcohol and Drugs Services from any health professional, via the online form below.
We can help determine the support that will best suit your client.
Our programs include:
Five-bed residential detox unit, Nova House
Homebased detox
Specialist AOD counselling
Peer support groups
Family Drug Support Group
Pharmacotherapy Clinic.
Initial referral information needed:
If you’re an AOD service, we need: | If you’re a GP, we need: | If you’re a hospital, we need: |
AUDIT DUDIT K10 ASSIST Any other reports Please provide case plans/copy of order if applicable | Current medication Health summary | Consent Contact details, including date of birth |
For specific details and criteria of our withdrawal services, please click the applicable heading below.
Residential detox unit - Nova House eligibility
Criteria
Nova House is a five-bed low-risk residential withdrawal service in Bendigo, for people aged 18+.
We triage clients based on age, amount and type of substance used.
Most common substances for withdrawal are:
- Alcohol
- Cannabis
- Methamphetamines.
Exclusions:
- GHB
- Benzodiazepines
- Opiates (not on replacement therapy).
Initial referral information needed:
If you’re an AOD service, we need: | If you’re a GP, we need: | If you’re a hospital, we need: |
AUDIT DUDIT K10 ASSIST Any other reports Please provide case plans/copy of order if applicable | Current medication Health summary | Consent Contact details, including date of birth |
Pathology:
For all alcohol or polysubstance use we require pathology to be completed to check liver function and urine drug screen. A liver on its way to cirrhosis will require a metro-based withdrawal unit.
We are unable to accept people with the following:
- Complex cardiac conditions
- History of withdrawal seizures
- Pregnancy
- Community Violence Offending, repeat violent offenders.
Please note:
Benzodiazepines: We can assist Bendigo residents with a Benzodiazepine reduction plan in our Homebase Withdrawal service over an extended period of time, then transition them into residential withdrawal centre Nova House for the final reduction. The maximum daily amount of benzodiazepine to gain entry is 15mg.
Opioids: We can assist in withdrawal if the client is stable on Opiate Replacement Therapy.
Homebased detox eligibility
Criteria
The BCHS Homebase Withdrawal service is a caring and confidential withdrawal program for low-risk clients, aged 16+.
Most common substances for withdrawal are:
- Alcohol
- Cannabis
- Methamphetamines
- Benzodiazepine reductions.
Exclusions:
- GHB and opiates (not on replacement therapy).
Initial referral information needed:
If you’re an AOD service, we need: | If you’re a GP, we need: | If you’re a hospital, we need: |
AUDIT DUDIT K10 ASSIST Any other reports Please provide case plans/copy of order if applicable | Current medication Health summary | Consent Contact details, including date of birth |
We are unable to accept people with the following:
- Complex cardiac conditions
- History of withdrawal seizures
- Pregnancy
- GHB use
- Community violence offending, repeat violent offenders.
Please note:
We will consider all clients individually at triage as withdrawal becomes more complex as the human body ages, and with the amount and type of substances used.