Clinical Treatment

A specialised Doctor attends the project every alternate Thursday afternoon, with two nurses. This allows the following medical interventions, to take place and be monitored;

Subutex

Subutex is a treatment for people with a heroin problem, which does not normally exceed 0.5g. Subutex is a synthetic opiate, which contains a blocking element against other opiates. Subutex can be offered as a 12 or 28 day structured detox or as a maintenance program.

Methadone

Methadone is a substitute medication for heroin often prescribed for higher end users that may be practising risky using behaviour i.e. injecting. Once a client is stable on methadone a reduction regime is often then introduced. Methadone programmes are often long term and address a clients withdrawal symptoms and social behaviour.

Naltrexone

Naltrexone is a blockade drug either taken orally or implanted. Once a person becomes heroin free this may be introduced as a pharmaceutical relapse prevention tool, which prevents the heroin from having any effects.

The Doctor will also consider alternative prescribing if a client has other substance misuse issues.

BBV Blood Bourne Viruses

Screening for blood bourne viruses and liver function tests such has Hepatitis and HIV can be accessed through a key worker at the project.

Hepatitis A & B vaccinations are available at the project free of charge every Thursday 12 pm – 4 pm for our client group.

Drug Screening

The project is able to screen for a range of legal and illicit substances via the use of instant micro-line urine test kits. This is not offered as a stand alone intervention but is incorporated into a client’s care plan.

Pregnancy testing

Instant pregnancy testing kits are available at the project.

Clinical treatment often draws a client to the project initially but addresses only a small element of their substance misuse problem. Clinical treatment on it’s own will not keep a client street drug free.