Frequently Asked Questions About Our In-Home Detox Program

We’re actively working to expand our in-person detox services across Australia. While we don’t have specific launch dates for each location, we prioritise areas based on patient demand. Contact us to express interest in having our in-person services available in your area.

Yes, our telehealth program is available to residents throughout Australia, including NSW, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, ACT, and Northern Territory. All you need is a reliable internet connection for video consultations.

No, flights and accommodation are not included in the cost of treatment.

While we don’t directly book accommodation, we can provide you with recommendations on where to stay on the Gold Coast. 

Our telehealth program follows the same medical protocols as our in-person service. We conduct comprehensive virtual medical assessments, prescribe withdrawal medications to manage your symptoms, closely monitor your detox via daily video consultations with our doctor, and remain available 24/7 for support.

This depends on your personal circumstances, severity of alcohol dependency, and care preferences. Our Telehealth Detox Program is best suited to lower risk patients. It also allows you to remain in Sydney, which may be more convenient as you of not need to arrange accommodation or flights. Whereas our In-Person Detox on the Gold Coast provides face-to-face medical care which is essential for higher risk patients, or those who feel a change of environment may help them in their recovery. Speak to our friendly team to see what option suits your needs. 

We offer comprehensive telehealth detox services for patients unable to access our in-person care. This virtual option provides medical supervision and support regardless of your location within Australia.

We’re the only provider offering medically supervised home detox on the Gold Coast. Our approach brings medical care to you rather than requiring facility stays, providing exceptional privacy and personalised care.

Yes, when professionally supervised by our medical team. Our Gold Coast doctors conduct thorough assessments to ensure you’re a suitable candidate for home detox and provide daily monitoring throughout the process.

Our detox program focuses specifically on the medical process of safely withdrawing from alcohol, which is typically the first phase of recovery. Traditional Gold Coast rehab facilities usually require 28+ day commitments and focus more on psychological counselling and group therapy after detox. Our program provides the critical medical supervision during withdrawal without requiring you to put your life on hold for an extended residential stay. Although we do not provide psychology or counselling services, we provide you with a personalised aftercare plan to help you manage your own recovery and access services that will work for you and your ongoing needs.

Both our telehealth detox and in-person detox follow the same process, however there are a few differences to how the service is delivered.

Low risk vs high risk

Your risk is dependent on how much you consume, your level of dependency and your past medical history. Our doctor will review your pre-assessment form to determine which program is most suitable for you.

• Lower risk patients are suitable for a telehealth detox as there is less risk of complications during the detox
• Higher risk patients need to be monitored more closely. Having a medical professional review the patient in person each morning reduces the risk of complications during the detox.

Location

• Our telehealth program is available to people all across Australia as we conduct all your appointments via video call
• Our in-person program is available to those who live or can stay on the Gold Coast during the seven-day detox phase of treatment. Some patients have travelled to the Gold Coast and rented temporary accommodation to access our in-person detox program. We are currently looking to expand our in-person program to other areas in Australia so please enquire if you live outside the Gold Coast area.

Medications

• Patients on the telehealth program will need to pay for and pick up their withdrawal medications from the chemist each day.
• Patients on the in-person program will be given their withdrawal medications by our doctor at their appointment free of charge.

Equipment

• Patients on the telehealth program will be sent a blood pressure machine, a thermometer and a blood alcohol level (BAC) device so they can take these readings themselves during the detox.
• Patients on the in-person program do not have to take any of these readings as the doctor will do this for them.

Cost

The cost of the telehealth program is less because it typically requires less time from our medical professionals and slightly more steps for our patients. For example:

• we do not need to factor in travel time for our medical professionals
• patients tend to need slightly less medical supervision as you are at lower risk of complications
• there are more steps for the patient. You will need to make daily trips to the chemist to pick up and pay for your medications. You will also need to monitor your own blood pressure, temperature and blood alcohol level each day of the detox.

The cost of our in-person program is more because it requires more time from our medical staff. It is also much more convenient for our patients. Fo example:

• our medical professionals travel to your house for your initial assessment and detox consultations
• your appointments tend to be longer as you need closer medical supervision and additional support throughout your treatment. This is because you are at much higher risk of complications.
• we provide you with your daily withdrawal medications so you can stay at home and focus on your recovery, rather than making daily trips to the chemist. These medications are also included in the cost of the program.
• you don’t need to monitor your own blood pressure, temperature and blood alcohol levels. This is all done by our medical professionals during your appointment giving you one less thing to think about.

If you are a lower risk patient and stay on the Gold Coast, you can access either program. However, if you are classified as a higher risk patient you will only be suitable for our in-person program. This is to ensure your safety during the detox process.

Yes! Many patients travel to the Gold Coast specifically for our detox services. You’ll need accommodation for the 7-day program duration, and our team can provide recommendations for suitable options if needed. If travelling to the Gold Coast isn’t an option, our telehealth detox program is available to people all across Australia.

Your risk will be determined by one of our medical professionals to ensure your safety throughout your treatment with us. Your risk is based on the amount of alcohol or drugs you consume, your level of dependency and your medical history. When you contact us we will send you a pre-assessment form to help our medical team determine which program is best and safest for you. We also assess your suitability during your initial planning and assessment consultation with our doctor.

Some patients may not be suitable for an in-home detox. Patients with previous delirium tremens or withdrawal seizures may require an in-patient withdrawal service. Any patient who does not have a safe environment or a support person who can live with them during the detox will be unlikely to be accepted onto the program, however we welcome enquiries.

No, we prepare the patient for the detox. As part of the program our doctor visits the patient at their home for an Initial Assessment to ensure their safety and eligibility for the detox, fully explain the process and meet with their support person. The patient is also provided with pathology requests, including a urine drug screen. The patient should be started on 200mg oral Thiamine as soon as possible.

Patients can be directed to our website for self referral, although we do prefer referrals with alcohol history, medical history, current medications and recent bloods if any. Referrals can be made via Medical Objects 480356GY or via email.

If you wish to discuss the detox process with you can email us or call 0415 617 313 and our team will connect you directly to our doctor.

Your support person will need to know as they play a crucial part in keeping you safe during your withdrawal. They also need to be present at your initial appointment to learn about emergency procedures and stay with you during the detox. However, you do not need to tell anyone else that you are going through a withdrawal.

At the end of the detox we will link you in with the right healthcare professionals of your choosing so they can support you through your rehabilitation journey, but this is your choice. Your confidentiality is paramount to us, so if you prefer, we will not inform anyone, including Medicare, if you do not want us to.

At the moment, Private Health Insurers don’t cover the cost of this program, however we hope they will in the future. We will update our website as soon as this has been approved.

Monthly payment plans are available to help spread the cost of the program. Please contact us for more information.

You don’t need to commit to a life free from alcohol to be accepted onto this program. We want to help you break the cycle of alcohol dependancy. Whether you’re looking to quit drinking altogether or simply cut back on your consumption, we’re here to help you take the first step.

If you are a patient of ours you will be provided with our doctor’s personal mobile number to support you during your withdrawal. There are additional support numbers for different scenarios which will be discussed at your initial Planning and Assessment Consultation. These can be found in your Patient and Support Person Welcome Pack.

If you need urgent medical care call 000.

If you are feeling acutely unwell please contact your out-of-hours GP or nearest emergency department. Our contact page has a more comprehensive list of out-of-hours support numbers should you need them.

Our doctor will provide you with a personalised plan to help you prepare for your upcoming detox. As a guide, you will be taking a selection of vitamins to prepare your body and set you up for success.  Exercising daily, reducing stress and eating a healthy, balanced diet will also help. We do not recommend making any major reductions to your alcohol consumption without speaking to our doctor or your GP first.

The total cost of our withdrawal program is $3,300. Payment plans are available to help spread the cost if required. Please contact us directly to find out about the payment plans that are available.

For your comfort, we recommend taking the full week off work so you can focus on your recovery. However, you may be able to participate in work activities from home towards the end of the week when you are feeling well enough. Have a chat to our doctor so we can put a plan in place for you to resume your usual activities as soon as possible.

If you drink alcohol during your detox we will stop the detox program. You will be breathalysed each morning.

From your initial assessment to the end of your detox is typically around two weeks. We then provide ongoing support for approximately 12 months by booking regular check in appointments at 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months post-detox. However, the timings of these reviews can be adjusted so they suit you and the ongoing support that you need.

We have minimal wait times and can usually book your initial assessment within 24hrs of you contacting us, including evenings and weekends. Our doctor will come to your house to meet with you and your support person to conduct a full clinical review. We then book in the seven-day detox about a week later. This gives you time to get your pathology tests done and the results back to us before your withdrawal. If you are withdrawing from alcohol, we will also start you on a course of multivitamins and thiamine to prevent alcohol related brain damage. Once you are on your aftercare plan, we book in review appointments to see how you are progressing and provide ongoing support.