Withdrawal, often called “detox”, is the period when your body adjusts after you cut down or stop alcohol or other drugs. For some people it is mild. For others, especially after heavy alcohol use, it can be risky without medical care. If you need an alcohol detox GP referral in Melbourne, our GPs and AOD Nurse Practitioner at Mediclinic in Clayton South can assess you, plan safe withdrawal, and refer you to the right service.
Withdrawal is an important step, but it is only one step. Lasting change usually comes from the support you have afterwards.
What happens during withdrawal?
When your body is used to a substance, stopping it causes withdrawal symptoms. These depend on what you use, how much and for how long. They can include:
- anxiety, restlessness and irritability
- sweating, shaking and a racing heart
- nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea
- trouble sleeping
- strong cravings
- with alcohol or some sedatives, confusion, hallucinations or seizures in more severe cases
Symptoms often settle within a few days to a week or two, but this varies. Withdrawal management is medically supervised and planned with your clinician. It may include medicines to ease symptoms, vitamins, and regular check-ins so you can stay as safe and comfortable as possible.
Don’t stop suddenly after heavy drinking or long-term sedative use without talking to a clinician. This can cause serious withdrawal, including seizures. If someone is confused, has a seizure or is very unwell, call 000.
Your GP’s role in an alcohol detox GP referral in Melbourne
Your GP can help at every stage:
- Assessment: we look at your substance use, past withdrawals, physical and mental health, medicines, and your home situation.
- Risk check: we consider your risk of severe withdrawal, such as a history of seizures or other medical conditions.
- Planning: together we decide which type of withdrawal is safest for you.
- Referral: we write referrals and help you connect with Victorian alcohol and other drug (AOD) services.
- Follow-up: we stay involved before, during and after withdrawal.
Types of withdrawal care
Where you withdraw depends mainly on safety.
At home
For people at lower risk who have a safe home and a support person. Your GP or a community AOD team plans your care, may prescribe medicines, and checks in regularly.
Outpatient
You live at home but attend a service, or have regular visits from a clinician, during withdrawal. This suits people who need closer monitoring.
Residential withdrawal unit
You stay in a dedicated unit with staff around the clock, usually for several days. This suits people at higher risk, or without a safe place to withdraw.
People at high risk of severe withdrawal, or with other serious health problems, may need hospital care. Your clinician will talk with you about this if it applies.
Referral pathways in Victoria
There are several ways into AOD treatment in Victoria. We can help you choose and connect.
- DirectLine (1800 888 236): free, confidential alcohol and drug counselling and referral, available 24 hours, by phone or online. It can also point you to services near you.
- AOD intake and assessment services: publicly funded services across Victoria that assess your needs and link you into withdrawal, counselling and rehab programs. We can refer you, or DirectLine can help you find your local service.
- Residential rehabilitation: live-in programs, usually after withdrawal, with structured therapy, groups and life-skills support over weeks to months.
- Non-residential programs: day programs and counselling that let you keep living at home.
- Private services: private hospitals and rehabs are another option, usually with costs or private health insurance.
Waiting times for public programs vary. While you wait, we can keep seeing you to manage your health and help keep you safe.
What is rehabilitation?
Rehabilitation, or “rehab”, helps you build a life that supports your recovery. Programs usually include counselling, group work, relapse-prevention skills, and help with daily routines, relationships and health. Rehab can be challenging, so programs are structured to help you work through the hard parts.
Aftercare: staying well after withdrawal
The weeks and months after withdrawal are an important time. We can help with:
- regular GP reviews to check your physical and mental health
- medicines that may help reduce cravings or support you to stay alcohol- or drug-free, where suitable
- opioid pharmacotherapy for people with opioid dependence
- counselling and psychology onsite
- links to peer support such as SMART Recovery, Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous
- practical help from our Patient Support Services team for regular patients
Important safety note
After withdrawal, your tolerance drops. If you use opioids or other drugs again at your old amount, the risk of overdose is much higher. Ask us or your pharmacist about naloxone, which can temporarily reverse an opioid overdose.
Need help right now?
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 000 or go to your nearest emergency department. These free services are available 24 hours a day:
- Lifeline — 13 11 14 (crisis support and suicide prevention)
- DirectLine — 1800 888 236 (alcohol and drug counselling, Victoria)
- Suicide Call Back Service — 1300 659 467
- 13YARN — 13 92 76 (for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people)
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a GP referral for detox or rehab?
Not always. You can contact DirectLine or a Victorian AOD intake service yourself. A GP referral can still help, because it shares your medical history and makes sure your withdrawal plan is safe.
Can I detox at home?
Sometimes. Home withdrawal may suit people at lower risk who have a safe home and a support person. Your GP will check your risk first. It is not safe for everyone.
How long does withdrawal take?
It depends on the substance, how much you use and your health. Symptoms often ease within a few days to a week or two, but some effects, like poor sleep or cravings, can last longer.
What happens after detox?
Withdrawal is the first step. Ongoing support such as counselling, rehab, medicines, peer support and regular GP reviews can help you stay on track.
Is it confidential?
Yes. Your information is kept private and is shared with other services only with your consent, unless the law requires it.
Does it cost anything?
Mediclinic is a mixed-billing practice. Bulk billing is at the practitioner’s discretion for some eligible patients. See our fees. Many public AOD services are free or low cost.
To plan safe withdrawal or get a referral, call (03) 9544 1555 or book online.