RACGP - The GP Edition

Withdrawal Guidance from alcohol and other drugs within a GP setting

RACGP - The GP Edition

Show Notes

Withdrawal management is an important component of an alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment system. With General Practitioners having good rapport with their patients and being integrated into their community, they play a vital role in discussing and managing withdrawal treatment options for those who present with lived experience of alcohol and other drugs.

This podcast aims to inform clinicians on how to identify, support and refer patients who may need withdrawal management from alcohol and other drugs. It also touches on how to talk to patients about withdrawal management and engaging them in options outside of withdrawal treatment. It is an evidence based insightful discussion between a GP staff specialist, Dr Robert Page, and the Chief Addiction Medicine Specialist at the Centre for Alcohol and other Drugs, Dr Deborah Zador.

Resources:

Management of withdrawal from Alcohol and Other Drugs – Clinical Guidance – https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/aod/professionals/Publications/clinical-guidance-withdrawal-alcohol-and-other-drugs.pdf

Management of withdrawal from Alcohol and Other Drugs – Handbook – https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/aod/professionals/Publications/handbook%20managing%20withdrawal%20alcohol%20and%20other%20drugs.pdf

Evidence Check Management of withdrawal from Alcohol and Other Drugs – https://www.saxinstitute.org.au/wp-content/uploads/20.08_Evidence-Check_Management-of-withdrawal-from-alcohol-and-other-drugs.pdf

Withdrawal management and residential rehabilitation services – https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/aod/Pages/wmrs-contact.aspx

Take home naloxone program – https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/aod/programs/Pages/naloxone.aspx

The Drug and Alcohol Specialist Advisory Service (DASAS) – https://www.dacas.org.au/

Screening forms for substance use – https://www.sbirt.care/tools.aspx

RACGP resources to assist GPs managing patients undergoing alcohol withdrawal as an outpatient – https://www.racgp.org.au/education/professional-development/online-learning/webinars/drugs-and-alcohol/a-practical-guide-to-alcohol-home-detox-for-gp%E2%80%99s

Nicotine withdrawal from NSW Health has separate Guidelines for managing tobacco cessation – https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/tobacco/Pages/managing-nicotine-dependence.aspx

More from RACGP - The GP Edition

Jul 3, 2026

Sexual health is a routine part of general practice, yet many GPs report finding it challenging to raise the topic or decide what tests to order and how to manage results. In this podcast, experts discuss practical approaches to sexual health testing and treatment in general practice using common clinical scenarios. The episode explores when to offer STI testing, how to take a focused sexual history, appropriate investigations, and evidence-based treatment and follow-up, helping GPs feel more confident integrating sexual health care into everyday consultations. Website Title Website Address 1 Australian PrEP Guidelines https://prepguidelines.com.au/ 2 Medicare Ineligible PrEP – Sexual Health Info Link (SHIL NSW) https://www.shil.nsw.gov.au/general-public/medicare-ineligible-prep 3 Decision Making in PrEP – ASHM https://ashm.org.au/resources/decision-making-in-prep/ 4 The Choice of PrEP Schedule: Daily versus On-Demand PrEP – Australian PrEP Guidelines https://prepguidelines.com.au/goals-of-prep/the-choice-of-prep-schedule-daily-versus-on-demand-prep/ 5 Australian PEP Guidelines https://pep.guidelines.org.au/ 6 Multicultural HIV and Hepatitis Service (MHAHS) https://mhahs.org.au/ 7 Syphilis – Australian STI Management Guidelines https://sti.guidelines.org.au/sexually-transmissible-infections/syphilis/ 8 Mpox (Monkeypox) – Australian STI Management Guidelines https://sti.guidelines.org.au/sexually-transmissible-infections/monkeypox/ 9 Sexual Health Info Link (SHIL NSW) https://www.shil.nsw.gov.au/ 10 DoxyPEP Decision-Making Tool (July 2025 PDF) – ASHM https://ashm.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/DoxyPEP-DMT-July-2025_WEB_202507.pdf 11 Doxy-PEP Decision-Making Tool – ASHM https://ashm.org.au/resources/doxy-pep-decision-making-tool/ 12 Decision Making in PrEP – ASHM https://ashm.org.au/resources/decision-making-in-prep/

Jan 19, 2026

This podcast aims to help GPs navigate the legal complexities around sexual assault medical notes.

Mar 17, 2025

Navigating the sensitive topic of violence, abuse, and neglect in clinical practice can be challenging for GPs, especially when there's concern about causing further harm to survivors. In this insightful podcast, we explore practical strategies to help GPs build confidence in addressing these critical issues.

Feb 28, 2025

In this episode, we explore the changing landscape of nicotine dependence and discuss cessation, focusing on practical strategies for GPs to support their patients in quitting smoking and vaping or other forms of nicotine.

Nov 17, 2024

Listen to this podcast series to learn more about the ACT’s real time prescription monitoring system ‘Canberra Script’ and how embedding this important system into your workflow can lead to better patient health outcomes.

See all episodes →