Curran Place Adult & Mother Baby Withdrawal Service

UnitingCare ReGen is an Alcohol and Other Drugs Treatment and Education Agency of UnitingCare

Victoria and Tasmania

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Contents Welcome to Curran Place .......................................................................................................... 3

How to access Curran Place ....................................................................................................... 3

Prior to Admission ...................................................................................................................... 4

On Day of Admission .................................................................................................................. 6

Handy hints for a successful stay at Curran Place ..................................................................... 6

General Information .................................................................................................................. 6

Sleep and Medications ............................................................................................................... 7

Participating in the Program ...................................................................................................... 7

Unacceptable behaviour whilst at Curran Place ........................................................................ 8

Client’s Responsibilities ............................................................................................................. 9

Visitors ....................................................................................................................................... 9

Safety Considerations & Day of Discharge .............................................................................. 10

Post-Withdrawal Planning ....................................................................................................... 10

Client Charter ........................................................................................................................... 11

Client Feedback ........................................................................................................................ 11

Directions to Curran Place ....................................................................................................... 12

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Welcome to Curran Place

ReGen welcomes you to Curran Place, our 16 bed adult facility, including mother and baby beds. Curran Place provides a short stay residential program for adults, and mothers and babies, wishing to withdraw from alcohol and other substances. We are a tobacco free site, but provide extensive Nicotine Replacement Therapy options tailored to the client’s needs. At Curran Place we aim to provide a safe, supportive and pleasant withdrawal environment where people are treated with respect. We use a holistic approach which considers the mental, physical, social and spiritual well-being of all people. We encourage people to take responsibility for the choices they make and to identify aspects of their lives they wish to change. With the help of staff realistic goals are established and small practical actions are planned to help you achieve these goals using a strengths based model. Whilst at Curran Place the program includes activities such as recreational and therapeutic groups (yoga, AA, nutrition, etc.) as well as helping with the cooking and cleaning. We recognise that you are taking a big and very positive step in order to deal with your substance use. The staff are here to support you and to ensure your withdrawal is as comfortable as possible. Please let us know if you are having any problems.

Cost Curran Place is funded by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) so there is no cost to clients for admission but you may wish to bring up to $30 for sundry expenses (phone card, soft drinks). On occasion, clients may have to contribute to the cost of non-withdrawal related medications.

Staff Curran Place is staffed 24 hours a day by an experienced and professional multi-disciplinary team who come from diverse cultural backgrounds. We employ RN’s, AOD workers, a Family Worker, Childcare Workers and Administration staff.

How to access Curran Place Location Curran Place is located in Ivanhoe, at 164 Banksia Street (corner of Banksia and Edwin St Ivanhoe) refer to the last page for a map and directions. It is a modern building with an open plan lounge, kitchen dining area. There are 16 single bedrooms, 4 of which can accommodate mothers with babies up to 12 months of age. The building is divided into a male wing, female wing and mother baby wing. In 2016 we completed mother and baby wing building works and refurbishment of the current facility.

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Curran Place provides

Medical, psycho-social, pharmacological and spiritual support to assist adults to withdraw from alcohol or other drugs.

Assistance with ongoing planning towards the treatment goals identified at assessment.

Accessing Curran Place

For referral to the program contact your local catchment intake service (find here: http://www.vaada.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/VIC-AOD-Catchment-Intake-and-Assessment-details.pdf)

o For NW Metro: 1800 700 514 between 9.00am and 5.00pm Monday to Friday.

If you are assessed as suitable for the Adult and Mother Baby Withdrawal Service, you will be placed on the waiting list and will be advised as soon as an admission date is available. You may need to attend a preadmission medical appointment with one of our prescribers. You will need a confirmed exit plan.

What some clients have said about the program:

"I'm learning it’s more about me motivating myself.”

"This time I am using my time in detox to look at strategies that I can use to help me stay clean when I leave here.”

“Staff are here for you.”

Prior to Admission Please ensure you organise the following if they apply to you:

The day before admission it can be helpful to pack your bags (see list of What to Bring), know where you are travelling to, have your transport arranged and have sorted any Centrelink issues including collection of your next form. We encourage you to enroll for online services as you can access a computer whilst here to lodge any forms.

If you have bail conditions or sign in conditions contact your informant or police station regarding your admission to Curran Place. We also fax them on the day that you arrive and day you leave.

Contact agencies if you are planning further rehabilitation after withdrawal.

If you have a court hearing coming up, we will arrange your admission to Curran Place before or after the court date, as you are unable to leave the service to attend court, even to adjourn a hearing.

Confirm accommodation arrangements for when you leave Curran Place, including an Exit Plan for unexpected early discharge from the service (including transport plan i.e. PTV, taxi, person to collect you).

If you have any dental issues such as toothache, please see a dentist prior to coming into Curran Place, as we are unable to address dental issues during your admission.

You should be aware that an education and activities program runs at the unit and there may be up to 20 residents here (including babies). If you don't want to participate in a program or be around other people, Curran Place may not suit your needs and non-residential options may work best for you. From day 4 onwards you must participate in the group program.

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ReGen provides services to people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds. If you require an interpreter through the Telephone Interpreter Service (TIS) when contacting ReGen, let a member of staff know. For further information about the TIS or to access such a service, please contact 13 14 50.

What to Bring: Bags brought into the unit are checked by staff.

Medicare Card, Health Care or Pension Card.

Your regular prescription medications, if you are taking any, such as anti-depressants, anti-psychotics, Ventolin etc. Bring in Authority Prescriptions medications. Curran Place only supplies the medications that are needed for withdrawal.

Contact numbers for GP, psychiatrist, pharmacy, workers, CCO, etc.

Appropriate comfortable clothing for 7 – 14 days. Do not bring clothing that shows too much skin (i.e. midriff, cleavage, singlets, for all genders), or clothing with offensive logos/words, alcohol/drug branding. You may like to bring sports shoes. We have a basketball ring.

Thongs to wear in the showers

Linen/Blankets are supplied but you may bring your own pillow, doona and/or blanket.

The building is heated in winter and air-conditioned in summer but you can’t adjust your individual room temperature. If you get extra cold easily you can bring warm pyjamas or your own extra warm blanket for overnight.

Money for a phone card ($5 or $10)

Small radio, iPod, MP3 or walkman with headphones if required. It must be separate from your mobile phone, no exceptions allowed.

eReaders without internet access are allowed.

Toiletries (shampoo, toothbrush and toothpaste, non-alcohol based mouthwash).

Baby’s necessities (i.e. clothes, formula, dummies, disposable nappies, baby wipes, bibs, pram, favourite toy, etc.)

Jacket / coat / jumper for cooler weather. Hat / sunscreen for warmer weather.

We have washing machines and dryers.

We are unable to store large volumes of personal belongings. Aim to bring only 2 to 3 bags or 1 to 2 suitcases maximum.

You should not bring

Knives or any kind of weapon.

Cash in excess of $30.

Your car, as parking is not available.

Valuables, i.e. jewellery, expensive items

Needles/syringes, please dispose of appropriately prior to admission.

Tobacco products or e-cigarettes

Any device that connects to the internet, including: Laptops or iPads/tablets, Smart Watches, Personal DVD players

Consider preparing your home environment for your return post-withdrawal (i.e. removing drug/alcohol paraphernalia, deleting telephone contacts)

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On Day of Admission Arrive at your designated admission time. If you are running late, please ring us. If you are too late we may reschedule the admission for another day. If you have changed your mind or don't want to come in just call us and let us know. Generally the admission can be rescheduled again within a week, but on occasions when the unit is full this may take a little longer.

Methadone or Suboxone Dose:

Pick up or take your dose of methadone or Suboxone from your pharmacy on the day of admission to enable us time to arrange the permit and prescriptions for your dose the following day.

You should present upon admission:

Medicare Card, Health Care or Pension Card.

Handy hints for a successful stay at Curran Place Please treat yourself and others with respect and dignity.

Please be mindful that some language is offensive (e.g. swearing, discriminatory language including sexism or racism).

Please wear shoes at all times.

Please don’t exchange personal phone numbers and addresses with other clients in the unit. It is important that you focus on your own issues and strategies to gain maximum benefit throughout your withdrawal.

Many rehabs have long waiting lists so you are unlikely to go directly to rehabilitation on your first admission but it is the time to begin making contact. Some people return to us the week prior to going on to the rehabilitation service.

If you need to discuss any issues (i.e. facilities, co-clients, personal issues) please approach staff.

General Information Length of stay at Curran Place

This is generally 7 – 10 days (or up to 14 days for the Mother Baby Unit)

Certificates of completion can be given from Day 5 onwards.

You are welcome to let us know if you feel ready to go home. Do not feel obliged to stay if you decide you want to go home earlier.

We can’t always accommodate extended stays due to demand.

If you require a medical certificate to cover your admission days, please request this from the GP who sees you at Curran Place.

Clients are involved in meal preparation under staff supervision. The food is provided by ReGen. Homemade/unsealed/unpackaged foods as well as foods that require refrigeration are not to be brought into the unit. No soft drinks containing caffeine, no guarana, ‘V”, Mother or Red Bull type products.

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Smoking is not allowed anywhere on the site of Curran Place, this extends to group activities / walks that occur outside of Curran Place.

A telephone is available for client use. The number is 9499 6362. We ask you to limit your calls to 5-10 minutes, so that other clients can make and receive phone calls. The telephone is disconnected during group activities including meals; and between 9:30 pm and 7am. Telstra phone cards are available for purchase at a cost of $5 or $10.

If you require transportation to hospital for any reason, you will be required to pay the account from Ambulance Victoria if you do not have a Health Care Card or Ambulance Membership.

It is important to remember that this is the beginning of the journey towards recovery and

for many this will take many years. All the years of substance use are not undone in the time that people are with us. Many people will return to us. Each time they get closer to their

goals of recovery.

Sleep and Medications Sleep

Good quality sleep aids your progress during withdrawal. We therefore encourage clients to attempt to sleep by midnight. If you are unable to sleep you can remain in your room with the lights on but are unable to stay up watching TV. It is turned off at 11pm.

We encourage you to reduce your caffeine intake in the latter part of the afternoon. We take the caffeine based coffee out of the kitchen at 7pm to assist residents to focus on winding down later in the evening to reduce sleeping issues.

If Sleeping medications are required, it is just for the first 4 nights.

Medications

ReGen follows current best practice guidelines and has a policy for the management of opiate substitution therapy. In general, where the treating team have clinically assessed that the use of OST is the most appropriate treatment regimen, we may be unable to support symptomatic withdrawal from moderate to high doses of opiates.

Most clients have a regimen that is tailored to their individual needs. Many elect to take no medications. Some clients are offered the opportunity to commence anti craving medication primarily for alcohol

Generally, withdrawal medications are reduced over a 5 to 6 day period of time.

If you are going to a rehabilitation program that does not take you on benzodiazepines you should begin reducing these in the community before coming to Curran Place as it can be difficult to cease in 7 days.

Participating in the Program In the first few days it may be appropriate for a person to remain in bed and not attend some of the program meetings as negotiated with staff. Where a person is spending an extended time in the general area on days 1 to 3, they would be expected to participate in the program. In general, your first day with us is called Day 1. Day 1-Admission

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Attendance at groups and programs is optional. Groups last between 45 minutes and 90 minutes. If you are not attending group, we expect you to be quiet and respectful and for the most part stay in your room, unless you need access to the kitchen.

Day 2

You will be allowed to remain sleeping. You can ask to be woken.

Due to the number of admissions that occur daily, the Registered nurse may be unavailable to see you for a while.

You do not have to attend groups and program activities. Day 3

Participation in the program is optional, however you will be woken in the morning Day 4

From day four onwards you will attend all groups, programs and activities from the Morning meeting onwards and participate in house hold chores whilst you are in the program.

Challenges during program down time For some residents there will be not enough activity, however there are plenty of opportunities to self-direct activities, including arts and crafts, basketball, games, puzzles, reading, exercise, etc.

Unacceptable behaviour whilst at Curran Place On admission we provide you with a set of guidelines outlining the rules of Curran Place. These set out what you can and cannot do during your stay. Most are covered in this book. The following behaviours may result in your discharge:

Use, dealing or being in possession of any drugs or alcohol on the premises, or arranging for any to be brought in to Curran Place

Accumulating medications for the purpose of taking it later or giving it to another client.

Physical contact or sexual behaviour with another client.

Other clients can provide support and companionship during your withdrawal. However it is advisable not to form exclusive relationships while you are in withdrawal as it is a time to focus on yourself. Speak to staff if you have any concerns.

Where a client willfully damages property of ReGen, they will be asked to pay for repairs or replacement of the damaged property.

Disruptive or aggressive behaviour, verbal or physical threats to other clients and staff which make them feel unsafe.

Entering another client’s bedroom, regardless of gender.

Smoking inside or on the property.

Stealing of any kind.

On occasions some residents are placed on an extended behavioural contract to ensure they are given the opportunity to complete their stay with us. It is important to understand that staff are approaching this to increase the opportunity for you to stay. We want residents to stay however the overall safety of the residents and staff is paramount.

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Client’s Responsibilities It is an expectation of ReGen that clients will accept responsibility for their health state. This includes:

To give accurate information about past and present health status and report changes in health state.

To treat staff with respect and dignity.

To work with staff in planning, developing and carrying out your treatment program.

To comply with treatment or sign a refusal of treatment document if compliance with treatment is not observed.

To participate in all aspects of the program, including groups, meetings, gentle exercise, walks, cooking, cleaning and other household duties.

To consider other clients regarding privacy, property and noise.

To submit for inspection any goods brought in by relatives or friends.

To submit a random urine specimen and / or room search upon request.

To attend groups on time and refrain from disruptive behaviour during the groups.

To refrain from smoking inside the building or on the property

To refrain from drug talk as this can distress other clients.

The facilities at ReGen are for everyone’s use, so please remember to consider others.

When another client is receiving their medication, please allow them the privacy to discuss any issues of concern with the Nurse.

Visitors Visiting hours are generally between 4:00pm to 7:00pm Monday to Friday and between

3:00 pm to 7:00 pm on weekends and Public holidays. These times do not interfere with the program activities.

Visitors should be people who will be supportive as you complete your withdrawal.

Visits are limited to 1 hour and due to limited space we cannot accommodate groups of visitors. They cannot participate in groups or other activities whilst visiting Curran Place

Visitors are not allowed in clients’ rooms regardless of gender. The exception is for children visiting their parent in the Mother Baby Unit, who can enter the room to see the room, use the toilet, or visit the baby.The baby can be wheeled out in the cot for the partner to visit in the hallway or lounge. Partners are not allowed in the client’s room in the Mother Baby Unit.

Visitors are not to bring hot food from home or take-away food to Curran Place for health reasons. Your visitor will be asked to take it home or it will be discarded. Visitors may like to bring you small unopened snacks.

Substance affected visitors will not be allowed into the service.

Visitors can only smoke off the property and the resident cannot come out to that area to be with them.

Recent clients, within the last 90 days, are not able to visit Curran Place or telephone clients at the service. Exceptions to this rule are to be discussed with the Manager.

Visitors to Curran Place will be issued with an ID badge, which is to be returned at the end of the visit.

Visitors are requested not to let clients use their mobile phones to make calls.

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Safety Considerations & Day of Discharge For safety reasons we are unable to return to you:

Alcohol or illicit drugs and weapons.

Some medications such as Diazepam (Valium) or medications you are no longer prescribed. If you have any queries, please contact Curran Place before admission.

Day of Discharge

You must vacate your room by 8am at the latest to allow the cleaners to prepare the room for admissions that day. You can then leave Curran Place between 0830 and 0845am. You are welcome to leave earlier if the person transporting you needs to collect you prior to their work commitments.

If catching public transport ensure you have a Myki card. We cannot transport you.

You are unable to visit or telephone other clients in the service after you have left for a period of 90 days. Exceptions to this rule are to be discussed with the Manager.

Belongings left in unit Any belongings left in the unit will be discarded after one week, unless arrangements are made with staff prior to discharge.

We hope that you have a safe and comfortable stay as you work towards your goals.

Post-Withdrawal Planning Post Withdrawal Planning

People are encouraged to have their follow up plans already established where possible.

During your admission there are resources provided to help you look for support services that you may need when you leave. These include leaflets and brochures related to counselling, residential rehabilitation, financial counselling, accommodation, family services, and other resources. You can have access to a computer to look at resources.

During your admission you will be encouraged to develop an Individual Treatment Plan (ITP) for your ongoing recovery.

There may be times when staff can follow up referral information for you but we encourage you to undertake what you can using your own resources. If you have a case manager or worker we may liaise with them about the long term goals of treatment.

The Education and Activities worker facilitates the group program. The program and group activities provide you with opportunities to learn new information and skills that can assist you towards recovery.

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Client Charter Client Charter: ReGen has a Client Charter that describes your rights and responsibilities as a client participating in our services. It is a partnership to help you achieve the best possible outcomes.

Rights As a client, you can expect to:

Be treated with respect and dignity at all times.

Have fair access to appropriate services regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion or disability.

Be involved in decisions about all aspects of your treatment.

Ask a support person to be involved in discussions about your treatment.

Make an informed decision as to whether you take part in any recommended treatment (except where legislated).

Receive feedback about your progress throughout treatment.

Have access to any written records about your treatment through ReGen’s processes to access information.

Responsibilities As a client of ReGen you are expected to:

Contribute to an environment that is safe and supportive for everyone.

Treat all people and their property with respect and dignity.

Provide accurate information on issues that affect your treatment.

Respect the privacy of others.

Client Feedback Providing feedback: Feedback is important whether it is a complement or an expression of dissatisfaction or concern. Feedback assists ReGen to improve its services. Any feedback that you give will not prejudice your treatment at ReGen. You can expect to:

Be given opportunities to provide feedback on your experiences of

treatment through ReGen

Be listened to whether you have a compliment, a complaint or a concern

Be able to raise you concerns directly with the person involved

Raise a concern or make a formal complaint using the ReGen complaints procedure

Be able to bring a support person with you while you provide feedback

Receive feedback about ways you might be able to improve the outcomes of your treatment

Privacy ReGen abides by the appropriate privacy and health records legislation. You may request the Privacy Statement at any time.

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Directions to Curran Place

164 Banksia Street Ivanhoe VIC 3079

T: 03 9490 2400 F: 03 9490 2499

We are located on the grounds of the Austin and Repatriation Hospital on the corner of Edwin and Banksia Streets.

Coming by train: Get off at Heidelberg station on the hospital side, walk south towards Banksia St and west up Banksia St up the hill. Cross Lower Heidelberg Road and continue walking west until you reach Edwin St. It is a 20 minute walk from the station.

Coming by bus: The Bell St bus 513 travels between Glenroy and Eltham along Bell St. You need to get off the bus at the corner of Edwin and Bell Streets. It is a 5 minute walk heading south along Edwin St to Banksia St.

Coming by tram: Take the tram to Bell St, then change to the Bell St bus 513 heading towards Eltham. You need to get off the bus at the corner of Edwin and Bell Streets. It is a 5 minute walk south along Edwin St to Banksia St. (the Repatriation Hospital will be on your right)

Head Office: 26 Jessie Street Coburg 3058

Opening hours: 9am—5pm Mon, Tues, & Fri 9am—8.30pm Wed & Thurs

Telephone: 03 9386 2876 Fax: 03 9383 6705

Email: contact@regen.org.au www.regen.org.au

Intake: 1 800 700 514