My client or patient needs support

Windana and TaskForce have merged into a single organisation – click to learn more about this positive change for clients and the community.

This page is for people working with people who need alcohol and other drug information/treatment. You can also see our Getting Help and Information for family and friends pages.

This page provides information for:

Legal representatives and justice system workers (including lawyers, legal aid, Legal Officers, Parole and Probation Officers, Youth Justice Workers, Case Officers, Magistrates)
Medical professionals (including GPs, nurses, allied health professionals, people working with diverse communities)
People working in community services (including Alcohol and Other Drug Workers, Social Workers, Youth Workers, Family Workers, NDIS Workers)

Information for workers

Self-referrals

To access treatment through Victoria’s public alcohol and other drug treatment system, your client can contact DirectLine (PH: 1800 888 236, www.directline.org.au) or their catchment Intake and Assessment provider. This will start an Assessment process where the person can get referred to suitable services. Your client can tell the clinician during Intake/Assessment that they are interested in Windana.

Direct referrals

We also accept referrals from GPs and other clinicians/workers for our detox (withdrawal) services and Community Services (including Counselling, Family Program and Care and Recovery Coordination).

Email with:

A Comprehensive AOD Assessment
GP patient health summary (if available).

Please contact us if you have any questions about the referral process or need any support with the Comprehensive AOD Assessment form.

Access to TaskForce programs and services – including referral contacts and processes – has remained the same since Windana and TaskForce merged on 20 November 2023.

For more information about accessing TaskForce’s services, visit the relevant TaskForce website section:

For general enquiries about TaskForce, visit the TaskForce Contact Us page or call 03 9532 0811 Monday to Friday, between 9:00am and 5:00pm.

Clients with criminal convictions/on bail (forensic clients)

We accept forensic referrals and consider the factors (including nature of a crime, and type of service requested) that determine if Windana can offer a safe and appropriate environment for a particular client.

For our residential rehabilitation programs, we are generally unable to accept new residents who have court dates in the next two months.

Providing information to courts

We may provide Courts with information when it is requested in line with the relevant Act or Acts.

Justice and sentencing schemes

We may be able to sponsor people involved with the Work and Development Permit Scheme or Spent Convictions Scheme.

Lawyer collaboration

In our residential rehabilitation programs, a resident’s main worker can work with legal representatives towards positive outcomes for the resident’s legal matters.

Where can my client get more information about Windana?
Your client can find out more by visiting the Getting help page of our website or by calling us on 03 9523 7955 Monday to Friday, between 9.00am and 4:30pm.

Your client can also contact DirectLine or their catchment Intake and Assessment service for information about Windana and other public alcohol and other drug services in Victoria.

Do clients need to pay for treatment?
Some of our services are free for the client, while others have a nominal daily amenities fee or require ongoing client co-payment (usually paid as a portion of the client’s Centrelink benefit. Check an individual service page for details of fees.

Is Windana a public service?
We are a not-for-profit, for-purpose organisation that forms part of Victoria’s public alcohol and other drug treatment system.

What are the wait times for Windana?
Wait times vary by service and change often. Please call Reception on 03 9529 7955 for the most up-to-date waiting time.

What is the difference between withdrawal (detox) and rehabilitation programs?
Withdrawal programs support clients to withdraw from alcohol and/or other drugs in a safe environment, usually over a period of two weeks or less. Rehabilitation programs involve a longer process of creating lasting behavioural change, addressing dependence on substances and building supportive links in the community for ongoing stability.

Is Windana suitable for people with Dual Diagnosis (co-occurring mental health and alcohol/drug issues)?
We are an inclusive organisation and welcome people with diverse mental health experiences and conditions. Mental health supports are embedded across Windana and staff work collaboratively with community mental health services. Before a client is admitted to Windana, a comprehensive assessment process determines whether we are the right service for their unique needs – including mental health.

What supports are available once a program is completed?
Across our services, we aim to connect clients to supports for their ongoing journey after a particular program ends. This depends on an individual’s needs and goals but can include housing, medical, family, employment and other alcohol/drug services in their local communities.

Residents who have been through a residential rehabilitation program also have access to the Aftercare program and Peer Support groups.

Drug facts by substance (Australian Drug Foundation)
Factsheets about research, stigma and harm reduction (Australian Drug Foundation)

Alcohol and other drug withdrawal guidelines (Turning Point)
Factsheets for GPs on treatment (Drug and Alcohol Clinical Advisory Service)
Screening and assessment tools (Turning Point)

List of catchment Intake and Assessment providers (Better Health Channel)
Links to alcohol and other drug courses (Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association Inc.)
Australia’s Take Home Naloxone (opioid overdose prevention) program (Dept. Health and Aged Care)
‘The Power of Words’ guide for professional AOD conversations (Australian Drug Foundation)

Last Updated on December 7, 2023