Hospital Alcohol and Drug Service (HADS)

About Hospital Alcohol and Drug Service (HADS)

The Hospital Alcohol and Drug Service (HADS) is a Queensland-wide service providing inpatient withdrawal or stabilisation for people with problematic alcohol and other drug use based at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital in Herston, Brisbane.

Programs

Following an initial assessment, support will be provided through an admission to HADS, referral to a community alcohol and other drug service (AODS) or non-government agency. While in hospital there is support to withdraw from alcohol or other drugs through a medication regime, supportive counselling and group programme. They provide support to plan the next steps before leaving HADS which may include residential rehabilitation or accessing local supports or AODS within the community.

Intake, assessment and referral

Patients will need an assessment before receiving an appointment. They can get an assessment at the local community Alcohol and Drug Service,  GP or by presenting to the Department of Emergency Medicine at Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital between 8.00am-7.00pm. Following the initial assessment, patients will be given an appointment to discuss appropriate treatments available or be admitted for an inpatient stay at hospital. Admission to HADS requires an assessment to work out if this is the most appropriate treatment.

Additional information

Mobile phones are not permitted as an inpatient, but a payphone is available.

Visitors are not permitted at HADS to ensure that all clients have a safe admission without any access to alcohol or drugs that are not prescribed by the treating team.