Dr Matthew Frei

Overview

Dr Frei is a Foundation Fellow of the Chapter of Addiction Medicine who first worked for Turning Point 20 years ago. Over the last two decades, he has worked in private and public practice settings, taking on the role of Turning Point Clinical Director following Turning Point's amalgamation with Eastern Health. In this role, he has clinical oversight of Turning Point's bed-based services, hospital consultation-liaison, outpatient pharmacotherapy clinics and the Drug and Alcohol Clinical Advisory Service (DACAS).

Background

Dr Frei holds a Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS). Having seen addiction medicine grow out of a small group of dedicated doctors to what is now a recognised speciality within the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, he has been fortunate to have the opportunity to contribute to the specialty. He is a Fellow of the Australasian Chapter of Addiction Medicine and served a term as Chapter President. While much of his role involves governance of a constantly growing clinical team, Dr Frei is a clinician and enjoys working with people seeking help. His role at Turning Point enables him to inform the development of high quality systems and support the professionals who work within them.

Clinical Research interests

Dr Frei’s professional clinical interests include pain and pharmaceutical drug dependence, and he works sessionally for Alfred Health in their Caulfield based Pain Management Centre. Dr Frei has also worked extensively in doctor's health and continues to work in assessment and management of health professionals affected by addiction. He has provided expert medical-legal opinions on many substance use cases, including for the Coroner's Court, private insurers and professional regulatory bodies.

Dr Frei has been involved in addiction medicine clinical research with author and co-author credits on a range of papers published in peer reviewed journals. He is passionate about supporting the training of doctors in alcohol and other drug medicine. He enjoys teaching on both an individual and group level and is an adjunct senior lecturer at Monash University.