Department of Health

Alcohol and other drug treatment services

Victoria’s specialist alcohol and other drug treatment services are available to all Victorians regardless of where they live. Around 40,000 Victorians currently access treatment services each year. A broad spectrum of community-based and residential treatment options are provided by a skilled and dedicated workforce that is passionate about providing excellent and effective services to the people who need them.

Alcohol and other drug treatment is delivered through a number of treatment streams across Victoria. These treatment streams include intake, counselling, withdrawal, rehabilitation and pharmacotherapy. They are also supported by a separate planning function, led by a funded service provider in each catchment.

People who require treatment, information or advice for alcohol and drug-related issues may contact DirectLine on 1800 888 236 or their local intake provider.

Overview of Victoria's alcohol and drug treatment system

People can access treatment - counselling, withdrawal, rehabilitation, care and recovery coordination and pharmacotherapy - through Directline or catchment-based intake.

Pathways into alcohol and other drugs treatment

Victorians can enter the alcohol and other drug treatment system through DirectLine or metropolitan and regional catchment-based intake.

Prevention and harm reduction

Prevention and harm reduction aims to prevent the use of illegal drugs and reduce harmful use of alcohol and pharmaceutical medications.

Community-based alcohol and other drug treatment services

Some alcohol and other drug treatment services are provided in the community.

Residential treatment services

Residential treatment options include rehabilitation and withdrawal services, and supported accommodation.

Hospital-based services

Victorian hospital-based withdrawal treatment provides medical supervision 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Public intoxication reform

About the health-based model: information for stakeholders and the Victorian public

Pharmacotherapy treatment

Pharmacotherapy is the use of medication to assist in the treatment of opioid addiction.

Population-specific services

Statewide and specialist services

Statewide and specialist services provide treatments that meet the needs of specific populations.

Forensic services

To reduce harm from alcohol and other drug use and crime, the Victorian Government funds dedicated forensic community-based treatment.

Services for young people

Youth-specific residential and non-residential alcohol and other drug services in Victoria help young people to address substance use issues.

Family and peer support

Services for families and other support people, as well as peer-support services, help through treatment and recovery.

Services for Aboriginal people

A range of alcohol and other drug treatment services are provided to Victorian Aboriginal people.

Key plans and strategies

Statewide Action Plan to reduce drug harms

The Statewide Action Plan launches initiatives to save lives, reduce drug harms and give more people the care they need across Victoria.

Drug rehabilitation plan

The Drug rehabilitation plan builds on the Ice Action Plan to tackle drug problems in Victoria and meet growing demand for treatment.

Aod service standards guidelines

Alcohol and other drug client charter and resources

The Victorian Alcohol and Other Drug Client Charter helps to improve treatment standards for people who use public alcohol and other drug services.

Reviewed 06 September 2024

Health.vic

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