Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre

Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre is an alcohol and other drugs organisation located in the inner Melbourne (Australia) suburb of Fitzroy. Established in 1994, the organisation provides clinical treatment and support to those with substance addiction issues, as well as conducting clinical and epidemiological research and development. In addition, the organisation provides education and training to health and welfare professionals.^[2]

The organisation's approach to alcohol and other drugs clinical treatment is primarily based upon the medical model of treatment.^[3] This includes using an evidence based approach to treatment services and implementing harm minimisation techniques towards relevant client issues.^[4]

The organisation is affiliated with St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne and the University of Melbourne. In addition, Turning Point collaborates with international organisations including The United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC); International Network of Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Resource Centres, California State University; Center for Behavioral Research and Services, Yale University; Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS and The International Harm Reduction Association.^[5]

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Services

Clinical and Forensic Treatment and Support

Turning Point provides counselling, case management and primary care services from a wide range of health professionals and practitioners, including; Alcohol and Other Drug Clinicians (more commonly known as Case Managers), Forensic Alcohol and Other Drug Clinicians (Forensic Case Managers) General Practitioners, Psychiatrists, Psychologists (both Clinical and Counselling), Pharmacists and Nurses.^[6]

Treatment and support can be provided in the following forms:^{[7] [8]}

• Traditional face to face counselling (see Therapeutic Relationship).

• Group therapy.

• Outreach response.

• Home-based withdrawal.

• Telephone counselling.

• Online counselling.

Specialist Pharmacotherapy Programs

Turning Point provides eligible clients access to medically supervised drug substitution pharmacotherapies such as Methadone (see Methadone Maintenance), Suboxone and Subutex.^[9]

Specialist Assessment and Consultancy Services

Turning Point provides services in the following areas:^[10]

• Alcohol and other drug use assessment.

• Dual Diagnosis (a combination of a mental health issue and a substance abuse issue).^[11]

• Comorbidity.

• Acquired Brain Injury (ABI).

• Chronic pain.

Needle and Syringe Program (NSP)

Turning Point provides a comprehensive program to the local general public, including the supply and exchange of hypodermic needles as well as various other harm minimisation provisions.^[12]

References

Further Reading

• Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre Inc., (2007). Turning Point Alcohol & Drug Centre Annual Report 2006. Fitzroy, Australia. ISSN 1443-640X, ISSN (Online) 1448-5761.

• Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre is at coordinates 37°48′21″S 144°58′33″E / -37.80583, 144.97583Coordinates: 37°48′21″S 144°58′33″E / -37.80583, 144.97583