The Turning Point Addiction Medicine Unit (TPAMU)

The Turning Point Addiction Medicine Unit (TPAMU) is a comprehensive AOD treatment service providing medically-managed withdrawal and stabilisation. The Unit offers residential 24/7 care supported by a multi-disciplinary medical, nursing and allied health team, overseen by senior addiction medical specialists.

Referral to these services is via the Eastern Consortium of Alcohol and Drug Services (ECADS) central intake number: 1800 778 278.

For more information watch our videos, we have developed them specifically for clients, clinicians as well as family and friends to help improve your experience of our service.
 

Client information

Clinician information

Family & friends information

Box Hill Hospital 1East ward

Subacute hospital-based withdrawal beds

Ward 1East is supported by 24/7 medical and nursing staff who are experts in managing AOD withdrawal complicated by medical or psychiatric issues. Ward 1East has the capacity to manage patients with a diagnosis of severe substance use disorder or dependence, whose treatment may be outside the scope of standard community residential withdrawal. Admissions to 1East include patients with:

  • alcohol and other drug dependence complicated by:
    • comorbid medical conditions
    • comorbid psychiatric conditions
    • other complexities such as withdrawal seizures.
  • dependence on high doses of painkiller opioids needing stabilisation or substitution with high dose methadone or buprenorphine
  • dependence on novel psychoactive and synthetic drugs including cannabis-like substances, methamphetamine and GHB.
  • transfer from high dose methadone (or other opioids) to buprenorphine.
  • high dose and unstable illicit benzodiazepine use.

A 1East admission will often be the first phase in the TPAMU model of withdrawal management and recovery, and most patients undertaking withdrawal with TPAMU will be admitted to 1East initially, prior to transfer to a TPAMU step down bed at Wellington House.

Wellington House

Community residential withdrawal beds 

Wellington House is a community residential detoxification unit and receives step-down clients from 1 East. It offers up to 28 days of stabilization treatment. In addition to consolidating medical treatment commenced in 1East, the program for clients at Wellington House includes:

  • group psychotherapy,
  • in house mutual aid sessions,
  • life skills including financial advice, and 
  • physical activities.

While at Wellington House, clients are supported to develop their own recovery plans post-discharge and encouraged to attend counselling and mutual aid groups.

Referral to these services is via the Eastern Consortium of Alcohol and Drug Services (ECADS) central intake number: 1800 778 278.