Drug and alcohol services in Nepean Blue Mountains

The Aboriginal Liaison Officer in the Drug and Alcohol Service provides support and a link between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and specialist treatment services for substance related issues.

For information, contact the 24-hour Drug and Alcohol Central Intake Service on 1300 661 050 or our Reception on (02) 4734 2129 between 8:30am and 5pm Monday to Friday, or email NBMLHD-DrugAlcoholIntake@health.nsw.gov.au.

The Assertive Community Management (ACM) program provides case management and support for people who have severe substance problems alongside significant physical health and social issues (e.g. accommodation and housing, social isolation, employment).

The ACM team can meet people at home, a Community Health Centre or another suitable venue depending on the person's needs.

The program is for 16 weeks only.

Patients need to be able to identify their own treatment goals and prioritise their current issues, and must be available to attend appointments during normal business hours.

For information contact the ACM program team through the Drug and Alcohol Central Intake Service on 1300 661 050 or NBMLHD-DrugAlcoholACM@health.nsw.gov.au.

Our Community Drug and Alcohol Service is available to anyone aged over 18 years who is experiencing substance use issues, or affected by another person’s alcohol or other substance use.

The service provides a broad range of strategies and support to assist people in their substance use recovery. Treatment goals and strategies are developed according to individual need.

The service is available at our community health centres in Katoomba, Lithgow, Penrith, St Marys and Springwood.

People aged between 18 and 20 years should be referred to the Youth Drug and Alcohol Service (YDAS) unless they prefer to attend the adult service.

For information, contact the 24-hour Drug and Alcohol Central Intake Service on 1300 661 050 or our Reception on (02) 4734 2129 between 8:30am and 5pm Monday to Friday, or email NBMLHD-DrugAlcoholIntake@health.nsw.gov.au.

We provide drug and alcohol treatment for eligible people through the courts, including the Magistrates Early Referral into Treatment (MERIT) and the Adult Drug Court programs.

The Magistrates Early Referral Into Treatment (MERIT) Program provides treatment and counselling for people with substance-use related matters before a local court.

People over 18 years can be referred to MERIT from a local court by the magistrate, solicitors or other service providers, or can refer themselves.

The Drug Court of NSW is a specialist court that provides an alternative to custody for eligible participants with illegal drug dependencies that have committed certain offences. For referral, discuss this option with the person's solicitor.

For information, contact the 24-hour Drug and Alcohol Central Intake Service on 1300 661 050 or our Reception on (02) 4734 2129 between 8:30am and 5pm Monday to Friday, or email NBMLHD-DrugAlcoholIntake@health.nsw.gov.au.

We provide testing, assessment and treatment for Hepatitis B and C, including FibroScan as required. We also provide Hepatitis B vaccination, education, support and advocacy.

Specialist doctors can prescribe Hepatitis C medication or arrange a referral to the Liver Clinic at Nepean Hospital.

For information, contact the 24-hour Drug and Alcohol Central Intake Service on 1300 661 050 or our Reception on (02) 4734 2129 between 8:30am and 5pm Monday to Friday, or email NBMLHD-DrugAlcoholIntake@health.nsw.gov.au.

The Inpatient Withdrawal Management Unit (detoxification) at Nepean Hospital is a 15-bed, short stay unit for people over 16 years of age including pregnant women. It provides medically supervised withdrawal management from alcohol and drugs along with an educational and therapeutic program. We accept referrals from anywhere in NSW.

Staff ensure that patients go through their treatment in a safe and supportive environment.

For information, contact the 24-hour Drug and Alcohol Central Intake Service on 1300 661 050 or our Reception on (02) 4734 2129 between 8:30am and 5pm Monday to Friday, or email NBMLHD-DrugAlcoholIntake@health.nsw.gov.au.

Nepean Blue Mountains has daily specialist outpatient OAT programs (also known as Opioid Treatment or Opioid Substitution Programs) located at Nepean Hospital, Blue Mountains Hospital and Lithgow Community Health Centre.

The clinics support opioid dependent people with long-term treatment approaches that involve the regular provision of opioid medicine (Methadone/Biodone, Buprenorphine, Buprenorphine/Naloxone). Treatment also includes regular monitoring, case management, physical health screenings and referrals to other supports.

You can contact the clinics directly:

• Gateway Clinic, Nepean Hospital (Kingswood) (02) 4734 1340
• Woodlands Clinic, Blue Mountains ANZAC Memorial Hospital (Katoomba) (02) 4784 6545
• Lithgow Clinic, Lithgow Community Health Centre (02) 6350 2781

The Take Home Naloxone Intervention program makes naloxone available free to people who may experience, or witness, an opioid overdose. Speak to a treating drug and alcohol clinician.

Our Drug and Alcohol Psychology Service provides a range of psychological assessments and psychosocial interventions addressing psychological dependence, as well as the emotional and behavioural impacts of addiction to meet the holistic care needs of people who contact our service.

For information, contact the 24-hour Drug and Alcohol Central Intake Service on 1300 661 050 or our Reception on (02) 4734 2129 between 8:30am and 5pm Monday to Friday, or email NBMLHD-DrugAlcoholIntake@health.nsw.gov.au.

SUPPS is a team for pregnant women and mothers (of children up to 12 months old) who are experiencing substance use and complex health, psychological or social issues.

SUPPS provides drug and alcohol assessment, treatment and relapse prevention, home visiting, and parenting programs.

For more information about the referral process, talk to your antenatal clinic or contact the 24-hour Drug and Alcohol Central Intake Service on 1300 661 050.

The Drug and Alcohol Service offers group programs to support drug and alcohol management and recovery.

The 10-week Relapse Prevention Program provides a range of useful strategies to help people understand and manage their substance use, and related feelings and behaviour.

For information, contact the 24-hour Drug and Alcohol Central Intake Service on 1300 661 050 or our Reception on (02) 4734 2129 between 8:30am and 5pm Monday to Friday, or email NBMLHD-DrugAlcoholIntake@health.nsw.gov.au.

A walk-in clinic is available at Nepean Hospital for anyone seeking medical support to reduce the harms associated with alcohol, benzodiazepines (including valium, serapax, xanax and temazepam) or opioids (including codeine, morphine, oxycontin, endone and heroin).

A specialist drug and alcohol worker will assess your needs and help work out a treatment plan for you. Treatment may begin on the same day.

Open Monday to Thursday from 9:30am to 4pm only. No appointment needed.

For all other substances including cannabis and methamphetamines, contact the Central Intake Service on 1300 661 050.

The YDAS team provides a specialist service for young people aged 12 to 20 who are impacted by their own or a close family member's substance use.

The team provides drug and alcohol assessment, counselling and case management and works collaboratively with other youth service providers.

YDAS provides responsive and accessible service to all areas within the Nepean Blue Mountains LHD. This is in addition to access at a range of non-government agencies including Headspace Penrith.

For information, contact the 24-hour Drug and Alcohol Central Intake Service on 1300 661 050 or our Reception on (02) 4734 2129 between 8:30am and 5pm Monday to Friday, or email NBMLHD-DrugAlcoholIntake@health.nsw.gov.au.