Program Overview
The Windana Youth Community House is a residential withdrawal facility located in Dandenong
The youth withdrawal unit offers a homelike environment for supported withdrawal from alcohol and other drugs. This may include medical and non-medical withdrawal.
Length of stay is determined on the individuals needs but is generally between 10 - 15 days
The program includes:
- Medical and nursing management
- case management & support services
- Complementary therapies including
naturopathy, reiki & mindfulness groups - Exercise and recreation
- Individual counselling and group work
including art therapy, nutrition,
relapse prevention, harm minimisation
and stress management
Smoking is currently allowed in restricted outside areas. Clients are required to bring swimwear for morning swimming exercise.
Program Eligibility
- Individuals 12 - 21 years of age
- Willing and able to participate in group and individual therapy and recreational and domestic activities
- Willing to abide by the House Rules & sign a client contract prior to admission
- Assessment by an addiction medicine
practitioner with consideration of:- High alcohol or other drug intake on day of admission
- History of withdrawal seizures
- Risk of harm to self or others
- Concurrent medical or mental health issues
- Clients are required to bring current medications and scripts on the day of
admission - Access to external appointments during the withdrawal period are limited and
are assessed on an individual basis
Assessment Process
Upon receipt of a referral the information will be reviewed by the Assessment Nurse and the Youth Withdrawal Team Coordinator
- A pre-admission appointment will be facilitated for the person to undertake
an interdisciplinary assessment with an addiction medicine practitioner and
the Windana nurse - On the day of admission the person will attend the treating medical practitioner
for assessment and treatment planning including any required medication
Admissions to community residential withdrawal can only occur if the medical assessment has taken place
If the person does no attend or is not suitable for admission on the day, all efforts will be made to re-schedule an appointment and subsequent admission or facilitate appropriate referrals