All Medicare-eligible consultations are bulk billed for patients with a valid Medicare card. Some items, including privately purchased vaccines and consumables, attract a fee.
Most people who want to change their drinking or drug use never raise it with a doctor, because they expect judgement. What you will actually get is a confidential conversation and some practical options.
Do not stop alcohol or sedatives abruptly on your ownWithdrawal from heavy alcohol use or from some sedative medicines can cause seizures and can be fatal. Call 000 for confusion, hallucinations, severe shaking, a seizure, or a very high temperature during withdrawal. For advice any hour: NSW Alcohol and Drug Information Service 1800 250 015. If you are struggling to cope: Lifeline 13 11 14.
Support here starts with an honest conversation about what you are actually using and what you would like to be different. It might end with nothing more than information, or with blood tests, a plan to cut down, a withdrawal plan, a referral to a specialist service, or treatment for something underlying like anxiety, chronic pain or sleep.
The Australian guidelines suggest healthy adults drink no more than ten standard drinks a week and no more than four on any one day to reduce the risk of alcohol-related harm, with no safe level established for people who are pregnant or under 18. Most people who exceed this are not dependent — which is precisely why raising it early is worth doing.
Yes, like any health information, and it is confidential like any health information. It is not shared with employers, family or police.
Do I have to stop completely?
Not necessarily. Cutting down is a legitimate goal, and for many people it is the right one.
Is stopping ever dangerous?
Yes. Withdrawal from alcohol and from some sedative medicines can cause seizures and can be life-threatening. This is a medical reason to get help rather than stop abruptly on your own.
What can help
Cutting down
Read more →
What can helpCutting down
A structured plan with a target, not just an intention. Often enough on its own.
What can help
Withdrawal planning
Read more →
What can helpWithdrawal planning
Done safely, sometimes at home with support, sometimes in a facility.
What can help
Treating what is underneath
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What can helpTreating what is underneath
Anxiety, depression, chronic pain and sleep problems very often drive use.
What can help
Specialist referral
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What can helpSpecialist referral
Local and regional alcohol and other drug services, arranged through us.
What can help
Bloods and a health check
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What can helpBloods and a health check
Liver, blood count and other markers, so you know where you stand.
For families
Support for you too
Read more →
For familiesSupport for you too
Living with someone else's use is its own burden. Family Drug Support runs a 24-hour line on 1300 368 186.
Not justthe obvious ones.
Dependence is one end of a spectrum. Most harm happens well before it.
How much is too much?
The guidelines suggest no more than ten standard drinks a week and no more than four on any day. Many people are surprised how large an actual standard drink is compared with what they pour.
I only drink on weekends. Is that a problem?
It can be. Four or more drinks on one occasion carries its own risks, separate from weekly totals.
What about someone else's use?
You can come in about that too. Family Drug Support runs a 24-hour line for families and friends on 1300 368 186.
Weekly
More than ten standard drinks a week
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WeeklyMore than ten standard drinks a week
The current Australian guideline for reducing lifetime risk.
In one session
More than four on any one day
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In one sessionMore than four on any one day
Carries its own risk, separate from the weekly total.
Standard drinks
Pouring without measuring
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Standard drinksPouring without measuring
A home pour is very often two standard drinks, not one.
Drinking more
Drinking more than a year ago
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Drinking moreDrinking more than a year ago
Gradual increase is the most common pattern and the easiest to miss.
Trying to cut back
Drinking more than you planned
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Trying to cut backDrinking more than you planned
Repeatedly, rather than occasionally.
Cutting down
Trying to cut back and not managing
Read more →
Cutting downTrying to cut back and not managing
One of the most useful single questions to ask yourself.
Timing
Starting earlier in the day
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TimingStarting earlier in the day
Or planning the day around when you can.
Stopping
Needing it to feel normal
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StoppingNeeding it to feel normal
Rather than to feel good. A meaningful shift.
Morning
Shaky, sweaty or nauseated in the morning
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MorningShaky, sweaty or nauseated in the morning
An important sign, and a reason not to stop abruptly alone.
Sleep
Sleeping badly, or only with it
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SleepSleeping badly, or only with it
Alcohol fragments sleep even when it helps you fall asleep.
Mood
More anxious or low than you used to be
Read more →
MoodMore anxious or low than you used to be
Alcohol worsens both, which drives a cycle that is hard to see from inside.
Memory
Gaps in the evening
Read more →
MemoryGaps in the evening
Blackouts are a significant marker at any level of use.
What others notice
Someone has raised it with you
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What others noticeSomeone has raised it with you
Often the most accurate signal, and the easiest to dismiss.
Work
Missing work, or working through a hangover
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WorkMissing work, or working through a hangover
Including on a mine site or around machinery, where the stakes are higher.
Money
Spending more than you would say out loud
Read more →
MoneySpending more than you would say out loud
A quiet but reliable measure.
None of this requires a label. Wanting something to be different is enough reason to book.
Bloods tell you where you actually stand.Liver, blood count and other markers — useful information to work with, not a verdict.
Confidential,and without a lecture.
Book a longer appointment and say it is something you want to talk through. Reception will not ask what about.
Yes. The same confidentiality applies as to any consultation.
Will you tell my employer?
No. Medical information is not shared with employers without your consent.
What if I am not ready to stop?
Then that is where we start. Coming in to think about it is a legitimate appointment.
1Book a longer appointmentSay you would like to talk something through. No detail needed at reception.Book ahead
2An honest conversationWhat you use, how much, what you would like different. No judgement, no lecture.20–30 minutes
3A planCutting down, withdrawal planning, treating what is underneath, or referral.Same visit
4Follow-upBooked before you leave. Regular contact is what makes plans work.Ongoing
Confidential support
No judgement
Alcohol & other drugs
Withdrawal planning
Referral to specialist services
Family support
Bulk billed
Your GP stays involved
Confidential support
No judgement
Alcohol & other drugs
Withdrawal planning
Referral to specialist services
Family support
Bulk billed
Your GP stays involved
Confidential support
No judgement
Alcohol & other drugs
Withdrawal planning
Referral to specialist services
Family support
Bulk billed
Your GP stays involved
Alcohol & other drugsquestions, answered.
Is this confidential?
Yes, the same as any consultation. It is not shared with employers, family or police.
How much alcohol is too much?
The guidelines suggest no more than ten standard drinks a week and no more than four on any one day.
Do I have to stop completely?
No. Cutting down is a legitimate goal and often the right one.
Is it dangerous to stop suddenly?
It can be. Alcohol and sedative withdrawal can cause seizures. Get help rather than stopping abruptly alone.
Is it bulk billed?
Consultations are, with a valid Medicare card.
Can you refer me to a specialist service?
Yes. Local and regional alcohol and other drug services can be arranged through us.
Can I come about someone else's use?
Yes. Family Drug Support also runs a 24-hour line for families and friends on 1300 368 186.
Where can I get advice right now?
NSW Alcohol and Drug Information Service, 1800 250 015, any hour of any day.
General information onlyThis page is general health information for anyone who finds it useful. It is not advice about your own situation and it does not replace a consultation with a doctor who knows you. If you are worried about a symptom, book an appointment or call (02) 6530 7404. In an emergency, call 000.
Standard GP consultations are bulk billed for everyone with a valid Medicare card.