Medical Detoxification

It can be very difficult – and in some cases life threatening – to suddenly stop using alcohol, drugs or other substances.



Our 7 day inpatient medical detoxification program helps you ease off alcohol, drugs and substances in a supported and controlled environment.


You’ll receive clinical, psychological and pharmacological support as part of treatment to relieve withdrawal symptoms.

Following completion of the detox program, your treating doctor may recommend that you complete our Dual Diagnosis Inpatient Program.

Dual Diagnosis Inpatient Program

Put simply, Dual Diagnosis means that a person is experiencing both a mental health condition (like depression or anxiety) and a substance use disorder (like alcohol or drug addiction) at the same time.

Facilitated by highly experienced clinicians, our Dual Diagnosis Inpatient Program is a 21-day structured program that aims to help participants understand and address their addictive behaviours and simultaneously provide them with treatment and skills to manage their concurrent mental health diagnosis.
 
During your stay, you’ll receive both individual and group-based therapy alongside people that may be experiencing something similar to you. Our goal is to provide a safe and supportive environment for you while you are on your recovery journey.You’ll be cared for by a team of experts with extensive experience in treating people with drug, alcohol and substance use disorders and mental health conditions.
 

Who is the Dual Diagnosis Program suitable for?

Co-occurring substance misuse and mental health conditions are common.

It can be difficult for some people to recognise dual diagnosis as the links between mental illness and substance use are complex and people's experience of dual diagnosis do vary. Assessment and diagnosis by a healthcare professional is recommended.


To access this program, a referral from a GP or psychiatrist is required. Once this referral is received, our intake team will contact the patient for assessment prior to admission to establish their suitability for the Dual Diagnosis Program.

Your treating team includes:

• Psychiatrists
• Addiction medicine specialists
• Nursing staff trained in addiction
• Allied health professionals including psychologists, social workers, physiotherapists, dietician, sleep specialist and an art therapist
• People with lived experience of an alcohol, drug or other addiction.

Program participants have the opportunity to explore how mental health and addictive behaviours are interrelated, incorporate individual goals and objectives and participate in personalised treatment planning and decision making.

Family and other close support networks are invited to be involved where appropriate.

Ongoing care and support

To increase the likelihood of your long-term recovery, the treating team will work with you to understand and plan for your discharge including the co-ordination of community-based resources and additional support services you may need.


This may include a referral to group therapy (also known as a day program) at one of Healthscope’s other facilities including The Melbourne Clinic in Richmond.

Outpatient appointments

Private appointments are available with our Addiction Medicine Specialists and Psychiatrists and do not require a hospital stay. Depending on your individual needs, this may include an appointment with a psychiatrist or addiction medicine specialist for an assessment and short or long-term care.


The private consulting suites are conveniently located on level 4 of our Prahran-based facility. Please see your GP for a referral to our Addiction Medicine Specialists.

 Dr Ferghal Armstrong
 Addiction Medicine Specialist

 Dr Richard Bradlow
 Psychiatrist and Addiction
 Medicine Specialist

For Medical Detoxification and the Dual Diagnosis Inpatient Program, you’ll stay with us and receive 24-hour care in a recently completed facility with a comfortable, home-like feel that includes:


• Private room with air conditioning, ensuite, TV, telephone and a nurse call button
• Access to a shared rooftop garden and onsite gym
• Patient lounge and relaxation areas
• Chef-prepared meals that cater to dietary requirements
• Visitor and disabled parking

Medical Detoxification and Dual Diagnosis Inpatient Program

To be admitted for medical detoxification or to one of our inpatient programs, you’ll need to see a GP first to get a referral to an admitting psychiatrist or addiction medicine specialist at The Victoria Clinic.

GPs can address their referral generally to ‘Dear Doctor’ or directly by name to one of our accredited addiction specialists listed above. Visit our Information for GPs page for our specialist directory.

GPs can submit inpatient referrals via fax to our Intake Team on 03 9526 0268.

Outpatient appointments

For outpatient appointments with our addiction medicine specialist or psychiatrists in their consulting suites, you’ll need a referral from a GP.

GPs can address their referral generally to ‘Dear Doctor’ or directly by name to one of our accredited addiction specialists listed above. Visit our Information for GPs page for our specialist directory.

GPs can submit outpatient referrals directly via fax to our consulting suites on 03 9521 2799.

Our consulting suite staff will then contact the patient to make an appointment.

Private health insurance
Depending on your level of cover we can estimate hospital charges, outline how much cover your fund offers, and inform you about any out-of-pocket costs you may need to pay. We’ll need to do a private health fund check before you can be admitted or start a program.


We’re recognised by all major private health funds that reimburse treatment costs.
 

No private health insurance

If you don’t have private health insurance, you can call us on 03 9526 0258 to discuss self-funding your stay. Please call before admission for an estimate of the cost of your stay. You’ll need to pay for your stay in full upon admission

Workcover, TAC or DVA

If you’re admitted under Workcover, TAC or DVA you’ll need prior approval. Please call us first on 03 9526 0258 to discuss. We’re a Tier 1 Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) contracted hospital which means all DVA patients with a Gold Card are fully covered for shared accommodation.