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- Title
Exploring the costs and effectiveness of the Drug and Alcohol Withdrawal Network: a home-based alcohol and other drug withdrawal service.
- Authors
Wright, Cameron M.; Norman, Richard; Varhol, Richard; Davis, Jacqueline; Wilson-Taylor, Elizabeth; Dorigo, Justin; Robinson, Suzanne
- Abstract
The Drug and Alcohol Withdrawal Network (DAWN) is a home-based withdrawal service based in Perth, Western Australia. Literature on outcomes, costs and client attitudes towards this type of home-based detoxification in Australia is sparse. Therefore, this study assessed these factors for clients enrolled over a 5-year period (July 2011–June 2016). Client experience was explored through semi-structured interviews with 10 clients. Over the study period, 1800 clients (54% male, mean age 38 years) were assessed, and there were 2045 episodes of care. Although most first-episode clients (52%) listed alcohol as the primary drug of concern, the proportion listing methamphetamine increased from 4% in 2011–12 to 23% in 2015–16. In 94% (n = 639) of withdrawal detoxification episodes with completed surveys, clients used their 'drug of primary concern' most days or more often at baseline; this had reduced to 23% (n = 149) at the conclusion of detoxification. Five-year direct costs were A$4.8 million. Clients valued the person-centred holistic approach to care, including linking with other health providers. Barriers included low awareness of the program and difficulties finding an appropriate support person. Further exploration of cost-effectiveness would substantiate the apparently lower per client cost, assuming medical suitability for both programs, for home-based relative to inpatient withdrawal.
- Subjects
AUSTRALIA; PREVENTION of alcoholism; SUBSTANCE abuse prevention; SUBSTANCE abuse treatment; TREATMENT programs; REHABILITATION of people with alcoholism; CHI-squared test; COMMUNITY health services; CONTENT analysis; HOME care services; INTERVIEWING; RESEARCH methodology; MEDICAL quality control; PATIENT-professional relations; COST analysis; SOCIAL support; THEMATIC analysis; EVALUATION of human services programs; ECONOMICS
- Publication
Australian Journal of Primary Health, 2018, Vol 24, Issue 5, p385
- ISSN
1448-7527
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1071/PY17110