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Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) Resources for Health Professionals

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Content last updated 22/11/2024

Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) Resources

The importance of primary health care, and GPs in particular, in the identification and treatment of problematic AOD is highly recognised. Screening, brief interventions, motivational interviewing on patient behaviours and appropriate referrals can help improve patient outcomes. Support is available for Gold Coast GPs to deliver practical recommendations and interventions for people concerned about their drug or alcohol use.

Screening tools and standardised measures are commonly used to assess clients who may be at risk of alcohol or other drug use. They can identify motivation, dependence, mental health status, quality of life and client risk.

Some may also assist clinicians to effectively monitor client progress over time (outcomes). Standardised measures should supplement an assessment process, not replace it.

These screening and assessment tools are commonly used:

Gold Coast Primary Health Network (GCPHN) aims to increase the availability and effectiveness of Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) treatment services through improved regional coordination and planning, (refer to the Joint Regional Plan for Mental Health, Suicide Prevention, Alcohol and Other Drugs Services) targeted investment in areas of need, as identified in our 2022 AOD Needs Assessment, and enhanced sector efficiency with a focus on client outcomes.

AOD Services and Key Resources

AOD Resources for Health Professionals
https://gcphn.org.au/patient-care/alcohol-and-other-drugs/alcohol-and-other-drugs-aod-resources-for-health-professionals/#aod-resources-for-health-professionals Copied to clipboard
  • The Alcohol and Drug Clinical Advisory Service (ADCAS) is a specialist telephone support service for health professionals in Queensland, providing clinical advice regarding the management of patients with alcohol and other drug concerns. This free service is available from 8.00am-11.00pm, 7 days a week. Call 1800 290 928 for support and clinical advice.
  • The Quit Centre’s comprehensive and practical resources and training have been created by health professionals with extensive knowledge of smoking and vaping cessation. The resources and training will be updated continually; informed by emerging research and insights from ongoing consultation with Quitline counsellors, general practitioners and pharmacists.
  • The Alcohol and Other Drugs Knowledge Centre provides the evidence base to reduce harmful AOD use in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
  • To assist GPs and practice teams, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has developed the fact sheet Drugs of dependence: Responding to requests. This fact sheet outlines behaviours suggesting problematic or risky use of these medicines, considerations for responding to requests, available prescription monitoring services and resources and practice wide approaches which may assist in managing requests for drugs of dependence.

GP Champions

The expertise of local GP Champions is available to assist general practices to increase their ability to improve care of patients with concerns about their alcohol and drug use. The champions can support general practices with local and specialised knowledge and identify quality improvement opportunities in relation to the identification, intervention and treatment of problematic drug and alcohol use.

GP Champions

Dr. Serge Macanovic

Dr. Serge Macanovic is a GP Lead at Our Medical Home Gold Coast. After completing his medical training at Cambridge University in England he graduated in 1995. Dr. Mac worked at a number of different hospitals in England. He decided to pursue a career in family medicine and after attaining a Membership of the Royal College of General Practitioners in London, he started practicing as a GP in 2000. He practiced as a GP Partner for 15 years in England. During this time, he completed a Diploma in Practical Dermatology, Diploma in Occupational Medicine and a Diploma in Alcohol and Substance Use Disorders. For 10 years he worked as a Hospital Practitioner in Dermatology as well as a Lead Medical Adviser at two Alcohol and Narcotics Detoxification and Rehabilitation units in Portsmouth, UK. He provided acute detoxification as well as chronic medical management to residential patients. During this time, he produced a number of protocols and key management pathways in all aspects of addiction medicine. He has been practicing on the Gold Coast for the last 4 years. Dr Mac is happily married with children and on his days off enjoys travelling, reading, hiking and running.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (honours)
  • Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
  • Membership of the Royal College of General Practitioners UK
  • Advanced Certificate in Community Management of Alcohol Use Disorders, UK
  • Diploma of Occupational Medicine, UK
  • Diploma of Leadership and Management, Australia
  • Professional Certificate of Dermoscopy

Dr Thiruvaranga Janani Thirumurugan

Dr Thiruvaranga Janani Thirumurugan obtained her primary degree in Sri Lanka in 2003 and took up post graduate training in the field of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care.

She accompanied her husband to Australia for his overseas postgraduate training in Orthopaedics in 2014.

She started her career as a General practitioner at Pimpama Medical Centre with the Amtan group in 2015.

She obtained her fellowship with RACGP and completed certificate courses in skin cancer medicine. She has completed mental health and AOD skills training with RACGP.  She is a member of ASHM and MHPNW.  Dr Thiruvaranga is a mother of two children, enjoys classical dance and plays Veena. She is fluent in Tamil and Sinhala languages.

GP Recordings

GCPHN recruited specialist GPs to provide expertise and support on a number of projects. The below recordings were developed as key resources for AOD support.

Motivational Interviewing in Alcohol and Other Drugs 
Dr. Serge Macanovic		 Foundational Alcohol and Other Drugs – Screening and Brief Intervention
Dr Thiruvaranga Janani Thirumurugan		 Alcohol Withdrawal Management  
Dr. Serge Macanovic
Myths and Stereotypes in AOD use 
Dr Thiruvaranga Janani Thirumurugan		 A motivated client’s experience of cannabis use
Dr Thiruvaranga Janani Thirumurugan
AOD Resources for Patients
https://gcphn.org.au/patient-care/alcohol-and-other-drugs/alcohol-and-other-drugs-aod-resources-for-health-professionals/#aod-resources-for-patients Copied to clipboard
  • Adis Call 1800 177 833
    Adis provides a safe, anonymous and confidential space for people to talk when they have alcohol or drug concerns. When you call, you’ll speak with an experienced counsellor who you can talk to about your concerns and explore the right options for you.
  • Alcohol and Drug Foundation (ADF) is Australia’s leading organisation committed to inspiring positive change and delivering evidence-based approaches to minimise alcohol and drug harm.
  • Breakthrough for Families Queensland was designed to provide information and support to families and significant others of individuals affected by methamphetamine and other substances.
  • Medicines can be a helpful part of treatment, but some medicines can be harmful or even fatal, especially when mixed with other medicines. That’s why Queensland Health has introduced a real time prescription monitoring system called QScript.

Gold Coast AOD Services

The following short clips provide a brief overview of key AOD services on the Gold Coast. To refer to these services, you can find eligibility details and referral forms at GCPHN AOD Commissioned Services – Gold Coast Primary Health Network or HealthPathways.

QuIHN Community Outreach

 QuIHN Hepatitis C Treatment

 Goldbridge Rehab Services
Kalwun

 Lives Lived Well

 Salvation Army Pathways

HealthPathways

HealthPathways contains the most up to date information on support for care of patients with alcohol and drug use concerns.

Don’t have a login for HealthPathways? Register here.

Events and Training

Upcoming events and training opportunities
https://gcphn.org.au/patient-care/alcohol-and-other-drugs/alcohol-and-other-drugs-aod-resources-for-health-professionals/#upcoming-events-and-training-opportunities Copied to clipboard