AOD withdrawal

CHCAOD005 Provide alcohol and other drugs withdrawal services

This unit is about supporting people withdrawing from alcohol, tobacco or other drugs, including combinations of these. This unit applies to those working with clients going through alcohol and other drugs (AOD) withdrawal in residential or non-residential settings following established withdrawal guidelines.

 

How you will be assessed

You will be assessed through:

 

Practical

You will be assessed in the workplace under industry operating conditions with:

  1. use of suitable facilities, equipment and resources , including:
  2. client information
  3. withdrawal assessment tools
  4. organisation policies and procedures
  5. scenarios that cater to a range of settings, including crisis situations

You need to show that you have provided withdrawal services according to your organisation's protocols to two clients presenting with different needs. Show your assessor your workplace and the forms and procedures. Explain how it works as you go. Your assessor may ask you any questions on how it works. Most organizations have clear procedures.

 

Interview/assignment questions

  1. What legal and ethical considerations apply in AOD work? How they applied in organisations? In individual practice? In your answer, consider international, national, state/territory, and local legal and ethical codes, for the following:
    1. children in the workplace
    2. codes of conduct
    3. codes of practice
    4. discrimination/eligibility
    5. dignity of risk
    6. duty of care
    7. human rights
    8. informed consent
    9. mandatory reporting
    10. practice standards
    11. privacy, confidentiality and disclosure, including limitations
    12. policy frameworks
    13. records management
    14. rights and responsibilities of workers, employers and clients
    15. specific AOD legislation
    16. work role boundaries – responsibilities and limitations
    17. work health and safety
  2. What are your organisation’s protocols for the assessment, monitoring and evaluation of:
    1. home-based withdrawal
    2. residential withdrawal and any restrictions on clients
    3. outpatient withdrawal?
  3. What are the stages of AOD withdrawal? What are the specific signs and symptoms of each stage?
  4. What are the appropriate responses to each stage of withdrawal?
  5. What concurrent medical illnesses can mimic or mask withdrawal?
  6. What support agencies in the AOD sector are available to you? What services does each provide (including post withdrawal services)?
  7. How can you get current information on alcohol and other drugs issues relevant to withdrawal, including relapse prevention and planning?

Note: Your assessor may also ask you a variety of what if questions.

 

Detailed requirements

1. Check client needs

  1. Review client information and do an initial assessment with the client. Use an appropriate withdrawal tool according to your organisation’s protocols
  2. Collaborate with other services according to client needs
  3. Report behaviour or physical status inconsistent with AOD use to the appropriate person (e.g. doctor, your supervisor). Ask for help if needed.
  4. Identify the need for medical or emergency help and respond appropriately within the scope of your role
  5. Evaluate the client against your organisation’s mission criteria and determine if they have been referred appropriately
  6. If their referral is not appropriate, support the client to access other available services.

 

2. Support management of withdrawal

  1. Determine most appropriate withdrawal modality based on client needs
  2. Provide an appropriate environment for withdrawal
  3. Monitor client’s physical and psychological state regularly to ensure their health and safety (Follow your organisation’s guidelines.)
  4. Provide support services within the scope of your role
  5. Identify signs of any concurrent illness and refer appropriately
  6. Document services given to client and consult with appropriate persons

 

3. Evaluate client withdrawal

  1. Evaluate and discuss withdrawal outcomes with the client and appropriate persons in the organisation
  2. Discuss relapse and relapse preventative plans with the client
  3. Help the client to link with relevant post-withdrawal services
  4. Document the outcome of the client’s withdrawal

4. Other.

  1. Manage tasks and contingencies on the job.
  2. Follow Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand standards, and industry codes of practice.