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Exploring the costs and effectiveness of the Drug and Alcohol Withdrawal Network: a home-based alcohol and other drug withdrawal service
Citation
Wright, CM and Norman, R and Varhol, R and Davis, J and Wilson-Taylor, E and Dorigo, J and Robinson, S, Exploring the costs and effectiveness of the Drug and Alcohol Withdrawal Network: a home-based alcohol and other drug withdrawal service, Australian Journal of Primary Health, 24, (5) pp. 385-390. ISSN 1448-7527 (2018) [Refereed Article]
Copyright Statement
Copyright 2018 La Trobe University
DOI: doi:10.1071/PY17110
Abstract
The Drug and Alcohol Withdrawal Network (DAWN) is a home-based withdrawal service based in Perth,
Western Australia. Literature on outcomes, costs and client attitudes towards this type of home-based detoxification in
Australia is sparse. Therefore, this study assessed these factors for clients enrolled over a 5-year period (July 2011–June
2016). Client experience was explored through semi-structured interviews with 10 clients. Over the study period, 1800
clients (54% male, mean age 38 years) were assessed, and there were 2045 episodes of care. Although most first-episode
clients (52%) listed alcohol as the primary drug of concern, the proportion listing methamphetamine increased from 4%
in 2011–12 to 23% in 2015–16. In 94% (n = 639) of withdrawal detoxification episodes with completed surveys, clients
used their‘drug of primary concern’most days or more often at baseline; this had reduced to 23% (n = 149) at the conclusion
of detoxification. Five-year direct costs were A$4.8 million. Clients valued the person-centred holistic approach to care,
including linking with other health providers. Barriers included low awareness of the program and difficulties finding
an appropriate support person. Further exploration of cost-effectiveness would substantiate the apparently lower per
client cost, assuming medical suitability for both programs, for home-based relative to inpatient withdrawal.
Item Details
| Item Type: | Refereed Article |
|---|---|
| Keywords: | alcoholism, community health services, home care services, street drugs, substance-related disorders, substance withdrawal syndrome |
| Research Division: | Health Sciences |
| Research Group: | Health services and systems |
| Research Field: | Health and community services |
| Objective Division: | Health |
| Objective Group: | Public health (excl. specific population health) |
| Objective Field: | Public health (excl. specific population health) not elsewhere classified |
| UTAS Author: | Wright, CM (Mr Cameron Wright) |
| ID Code: | 129708 |
| Year Published: | 2018 |
| Web of Science® Times Cited: | 1 |
| Deposited By: | Medicine |
| Deposited On: | 2018-12-14 |
| Last Modified: | 2019-04-08 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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