Procedure - Alcohol and Drug Withdrawal

Purpose

To provide appropriate and standardised assessment and management for drug and alcohol withdrawal.

1. Process

Information about the prisoner's drug use must be obtained from the following sources-

1. the prisoner's self-reported substance use history (interviewing the prisoner and or accompanying persons);
2. data obtained from the clinicians assessment of the prisoner's presenting physical and mental status;
3. toxicologic analysis of the prisoner's body products (breath analysis, urine and blood); and;
4. the prisoner's Medical In Confidence (MIC) - particularly the Drug and Alcohol History component.

2. Alcohol withdrawal

For assessing and prescribing prisoners for alcohol withdrawal, use the departmental forms / assessment tools. Refer administrative form - Alcohol Withdrawal Assessment Reporting Record.

3. Benzodiazepam withdrawal

For assessing and prescribing prisoners for Benzodiazepam withdrawal, use the guide and assessment tools. Refer administrative form - Doctor's Guide to Benzodiazepam Detoxification.

4. Heroin withdrawal

When prescribing for prisoner's withdrawing from Heroin, use the guide and assessment tools. Refer to Guide to the Use of Subjective Opioid Withdrawal Scale (SOWS).

5. Methadone Withdrawal

When assessing and prescribing for prisoner's withdrawing from Methadone, use the guide and assessment tools. Refer administrative form - Methadone 14-Day Withdrawal.

F P Rockett
Director-General