Alcohol & Drug Services

Community Alcohol and Drug Service

Mission statement

To work with people with complex addiction related problems and their family/whanau to improve health outcomes by offering quality evidence-based Interventions

Service principles

• Evidenced-based harm reduction philosophies and the recovery approach underpin service delivery
  
  
• A multi-disciplinary team approach is used in alcohol and other drugs (AOD) treatment planning and interventions. Teams include doctors, nurses, social workers, and counsellors to provide professional discussion in planning and an holistic approach to treatment
  
  
• The service has a commitment to the implementation of the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi. Cultural assessment, consultation and interventions are available through a cultural advisor
  
  
• Respect for and collaboration with families/whanau and the client are taken into account while planning treatment and interventions. The client’s consent is sought at all times in any collaboration involving significant others
  
  
• The service operates within the boundaries of Health Waikato policies and relevant legislative requirements within the alcohol and drug and mental health fields of practice
  
  
• A culture of learning is encouraged and opportunities provided for professional development in order to provide the best quality service delivery for clients and their family/whanau
  

Health Waikato

Within the Waikato District Health Board (DHB) region alcohol and services are provided at Hamilton, Thames and Taumarunui. The Hamilton service also provides outreach clinics in Tokoroa and Morrinsville.

The Community Alcohol and Drug Service (CADS) provide alcohol and drug assessment and treatment for:

• clients presenting with moderate to severe dependency or problematic use
• clients identified as having a co-existing disorder.
  

All services are gatekeeper referral agents to AOD residential treatment providers.

Hamilton and Thames services provide a methadone treatment programme.

The Hamilton service has a focus to provide provision of specialist services to the most severely affected client group. Comprehensive alcohol and drug assessment and treatment planning form the basis of service treatment.

Further support and professional services available from the team include;

• medical assessment and pharmacotherapy
• case management
• alcohol and drug counselling and education
• groups
• assessment/stabilisation bed
• home detoxification program
  
• consult liaison service.
  

Client group

Service criteria/eligibility is adults, 20 years and older, however treatment will be provided to younger people in some circumstances due to service gaps. This is particularly relevant for rural areas. Clients younger than 20 years of age may be seen if no other provider exists in the area. Links are being developed with Child and Adolescent Services to improve accessibility.

CADS entry criteria requires that clients have issues associated with substance abuse or dependence. In rural areas significant others who identify as being affected by another’s alcohol and drug use are seen by the service.

CADS provides specialist programmes for clients with opioid dependency and co-existing mental health disorders. To be eligible for the methadone treatment programme, entry criteria is as defined by the Opioid Substitution Treatment New Zealand Practice Guidelines 2003.

Access

• The service is available Monday to Friday 8.30 – 5pm, with a triage nurse available to take referrals on (07) 834 6902
  
  
• Self referrals are preferred although another person may make a referral with the client’s consent and knowledge
  
  
• After hours an answer phone can be reached and contact will be made within the service business hours as soon as possible
  
  
• For emergency calls after hours, weekends and public holidays phone the Crisis Assessment and Treatment Service on 0800 50 50 50.
  

Hamilton	Thames	Taumarunui
193 London Street  Hamilton Phone: (07) 834 6902 Fax: (07) 838 3176	Manaaki Centre Thames Hospital Mary Street Thames Phone: (07) 868 9550 Fax: (07) 868 9206	All referrals via Tokoroa Mental Health & Addictions Service C/o Tokoroa Hospital Private Bag Tokoroa 3444 Phone: (07) 886 4455 Fax: (07) 886 7296

 

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