Alcohol and Other Drugs Service (AODS)
Mental Health

Available through
Face to Face
Telehealth
Adult

Urgent Advice

For urgent advice and support for AOD concerns, please call ADIS (Alcohol and Drug Information Service) on 1800 177 833 - 24 hours, 7 days a week.

If you're a health professional seeking clinical advice regarding the management of patients with alcohol and other drug concerns, please contact ADCAS (Alcohol and Drug Clinical Advisory Service) on 1800 290 928 (08:00am to 11:00pm 7 days).

Are you referring to the right service?

AODS provides a range of confidential interventions that help to support the decision to reduce or cease harmful substance use. AODS works closely with Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) referring clients for continuing support

  • AODS provides the following services: (*Comprehensive assessment required)
    • Triage, assessment, and referrals
    • Case-management and co-ordination
    • Group Programs
    • Counselling and support
    • Treatment and intervention
    • Medical Assisted Treatment for Opioid Dependence (MATOD/QOTP)*
    • Community-Based Alcohol Withdrawal*
    • Lived Experience Support/Peer support
    • Carer and family support
  • AODS can be contacted for information, if you are concerned about a drug or alcohol issues and/or referral options. Clients may also be referred to our services through family and friends, community services, medical professionals, emergency workers or corrective services.

Essential Referral Information

  • Details of substance use (substances, frequency of use, method of use etc)
  • Previous and/or current AODS intervention
  • Risk concerns
  • Physical and mental health history
  • Current medications
  • Psychosocial history
  • Other stakeholders/supports (i.e. psychologist, psychiatrist, GP, support workers, NDIS service provider, etc).

Out of Scope Services

  • Urgent and/or crisis referrals
  • Continued prescribing of opioid based medications
  • Assessments/reports for the purpose for court matters

Out of Catchment

Gold Coast Health is responsible for providing public health services to the people who reside within its boundaries. Special consideration is made for patients requiring tertiary services or for services that are not provided by their local hospital and health service district. If your patient lives outside the Gold Coast Health catchment area and you wish to refer them to one of our services, please indicate relevant medical or social information that will assist with the processing of your referral.

Notes

Please note that where appropriate and where available, the referral may be streamed to an associated public allied health and/or nursing service. Access to some specific services may include initial assessment and management by associated allied health and/or nursing, which may either facilitate or negate the need to see the public medical specialist.

  • A change in patient circumstance (such as condition deteriorating or becoming pregnant) may affect the urgency categorisation and should be communicated as soon as possible.
  • Please indicate in the referral if the patient is unable to access mandatory tests or investigations as they incur a cost or are unavailable locally.
  • If your patient consents to telehealth, please indicate in the body of the referral.

Patient Must Bring

  • Medicare card
  • Any concession cards (e.g. Pension, Health Care, DVA, PBS Safety Net, ADF, etc.)
  • Current medication list
  • Reading glasses, hearing and mobility aids
Last updated 19 May 2023

Send Referrals To

Smart Referrals

Not available

Secure Web Transfer

Not available

Internal Referrals

Not Available

Fax

07 5687 9345

Post

Not available

Enquiries

(07) 5687 9119

Service Availability

Dr Thomas John
Medical Director Specialist Services and AODS

Facilities

Southport Health Precinct
Palm Beach Community Health Centre

If you would like to send a named referral, please address it to the specialist listed above, who will allocate a suitably qualified specialist to see the patient. Alternatively, you can view a full list of our specialists.

Gold Coast Health - For Clinicians
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