Withdrawal management in the NSW NGO sector

Originally developed by the NPLG in 2018, this brief is being reviewed for relevance and currency given several changes over recent years.

The purpose of this brief is to describe the withdrawal management options provided by the NGO specialist AOD sector in NSW and to outline recommendations for improving the client’s journey and transfer of care between services.

Withdrawal management is a key component of service provision in the specialist AOD treatment services sector in NSW. The NSW Health Management of Withdrawal from Alcohol and Other Drugs: Clinical Guidance outlines that the purpose of withdrawal care is to provide appropriate support to clients to enable withdrawal to be completed safely, while ensuring people have a voice in their treatment options. The primary aims of substance withdrawal are to cease substance use, whether permanently or temporarily; treat symptoms, coexisting conditions and complications of chronic use; and engage the client in ongoing treatment and care. Withdrawal is not a standalone treatment.i

According to the NADA Treatment Service Specificationsii developed specifically for the NGO sector, effective withdrawal management care should include the following elements:

Screening, comprehensive assessment and care planning
Core program intervention (withdrawal management)
Exit and transfer of care.

These specifications are also in line with the NSW Health Clinical Care Standards: Alcohol and other Drug Treatment 2020iii which include the foundation standards of intake, comprehensive assessment, care planning, assessing and monitoring risk, ongoing monitoring and review, and transfer of care.

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i. NSW Health, Management of Withdrawal from Alcohol and other Drugs: Clinical Guidance, August 2022. NSW Ministry of Health

ii AOD NGO Service Specification Guideline: Funded Activity Descriptions and Requirements. Updated October 2022. NSW Centre for Alcohol and other Drugs, Ministry of Health