Integrated Support Team

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Providing integrated medical, case management and peer support for people in the Wheatbelt with complex and ongoing alcohol and other drug (AOD) and mental health support needs.

About the program

Our team in Northam is part of the Wheatbelt Community Alcohol and Drugs Service (WCADS), offering integrated medical, counselling and psychosocial AOD support for people with complex needs. This includes co-morbid physical and mental health issues, social dysfunction or AOD use.

Complementing existing counselling services available through WCADS and access to the Wheatbelt’s Community Program for Opioid Pharmacotherapy (CPOP) program, our integrated approach combines GP, case management and peer support that helps people:

• feel more confident in managing their past or current AOD use
• understand their health and triggers
• build their life skills and capability (with a view to education, work etc)
• improve their relationships with others and self
• improve their mood, emotions and sense of wellbeing
• live in the community independently.

In the past, I thought going to detox or rehab was the only way to stop drinking. I’m so glad to receive both case management and pharmacotherapy support here. I stopped my drinking with the assistance of medication and counselling.

I’m so grateful for the support that has been provided. I’ve been engaged with many services and no other service has ever given me the support that I get from this organisation.

How does the program work

For each person we support, we assign:

• a GP to provide medical examinations, BBV risk assessments, blood screening, general referrals and pharmacotherapy support (e.g. Community Program for Opioid Pharmacotherapy [CPOP], medications to treat AOD withdrawal, antidepressants [SSRIs])
• a Case Manager to help the person we’re supporting action their recovery plan, which will include implementing psycho-educational clinical interventions, assertive follow-up and referrals to internal and external service providers
• a Peer Support Worker to provide lived-experience and additional support that helps the person re-engage and overcome barriers to intervention.

The program comprises four key stages: 

• Stage 1: Assessment and Recovery Planning.Our team completes our intake assessment with the person who has been referred to us.
• Stage 2: Brief Intervention. Our team provides immediate case management support, counselling, peer support or a combination.
• Stage 3: Long-Term Individual Interventions.We provide 12 sessions of individual counselling and group-based interventions, drawing on evidence-based approaches (e.g. CBT, motivational interviewing, relapse prevention, pharmacotherapy). The 12-session limit doesn’t apply to CPOP participants who require ongoing medical care.
• Stage 4: Program Completion. Once the participant’s agreed goals have been achieved, the program is complete, although we have follow-up procedures in place, if required.

Frequently asked questions

May I ask for a Mental Health Care Plan in WCADS? 

Unfortunately, our service is not covered by Medicare. We cannot complete a Mental Health Care Plan or refer to allied professionals (e.g. psychologists, dietitians, physical therapists). We recommend you talk to your GP.

Can I receive medication on a phone/video session?

Due to the medical guidelines from our GP, we need to complete at least one face-to-face medical assessment before prescribing medications.

Can you prescribe medicinal cannabis?

No, we cannot prescribe medicinal cannabis.

To make a referral to the Integrated Support team, go to Get Support

Contact our team today Refer a client