Paying for alcohol and drug treatments services
Paying for alcohol and drug treatments services
In Australia
alcohol
and other
drug treatment services
are provided by a mix of government, non-government and private sector providers. In Victoria the government does not directly provide alcohol and other drug treatment services but funds non-government organisations to deliver these services for free or at a reduced cost to eligible
Medicare card holders
.
Government-funded alcohol and other drug treatment services
Alcohol and other drug treatment services funded by the
Victorian
Government
External Link
are delivered via seven treatment functions:
intake and assessment
– where the person is assessed to work out their treatment needs
care and recovery coordination
– for people who need help with more than just a substance-abuse problem, such as homelessness or
domestic violence
counselling
– where ‘talk therapies’ are used to help the person
withdrawal (non-residential and residential)
– where the person is supported to stop taking drugs
residential rehabilitation
– where the person stays at a facility away from home while they recover from their alcohol or drug problem
therapeutic day rehabilitation
– where, over a period of weeks, a person attends a structured day program providing counselling and a range of other supports designed to build life skills and promote general wellbeing, such as financial management and nutrition
pharmacotherapy
– where medication is used to help the person stop their illicit drug use.
If you need help with an alcohol or other drug problem you will first be assessed through the intake and assessment process. From there, you will be directed to the most appropriate service.
Costs for government-funded alcohol and other drug treatment services
Non-live-in (‘non-residential’) alcohol and other drug treatment services funded by the
Department of
Health
External Link
do not generally charge a fee for Victorians.
Residential (live-in) withdrawal, residential rehabilitation and some other programs charge a small fee drawn from your
Centrelink
External Link
, disability or other government benefit. This fee varies across services.
Pharmacotherapy
services
External Link
are delivered at a small cost. Pharmacies charge a dosing fee (usually between $35 and $50 per month). Pharmacotherapy prescribers (local
GP (doctors)
or addiction medicine specialists) may bulk-bill or charge a fee. If you have a concession card (such as a healthcare card) you are entitled to reduced fees.
Accessing private alcohol and other drug treatment services directly
Private alcohol and drug treatment services are also available. First check with the
Australian Health Practitioners Regulation
Authority
External Link
that the practitioner you plan to use is qualified to deliver this kind of service.
The costs associated with accessing private treatment services may vary depending on the program and the organisation delivering them. Ask the provider to explain all costs associated with the service before you sign up to ensure that you understand all fees and costs. For general information on your rights as a consumer of services visit the
Consumer Affairs
website
External Link
.
Some aspects of private programs might be claimable on
Medicare
External Link
, so check with the provider directly. If you have private health insurance, ask your insurer about programs that are part or fully covered by your plan.
Where to get help
Your
GP (doctor)
DirectLine
External Link
, call
1800 888 236
Alcohol and Drug Foundation - Help and Support
Services
External Link
. Tel.
1300 85 85 85
.