Opioid Treatment Service
What is Opioid Substitution?
This is a type of treatment for people who are addicted to opiate or opiate containing drugs such morphine, MST, methadone, heroin, oxycodone and codeine.
In this treatment, the addicted person is prescribed a substitution medication such as methadone or suboxone, so that they can stabilise their opiate use. This usually means that they stop having to buy illegal opiates and can get their life back, whether that is through returning to work or study, or just by being part of their whanau again.
Is it for me?
If you think you or someone you care about is addicted to opiates, give us a ring or drop in to see us in our clinic in Thorndon Quay. You don’t need an appointment for your first visit so just pop in. The duty nurse will talk to you and can help you decide if this treatment could help you.
You can also talk to your doctor or health professional who can refer you. Check out some of the links below to help you decide.
We work with people from the Wellington, Hutt, Porirua and Kapiti Coast areas. Sometimes we can help, or offer advice, to people who are visiting the Wellington area. If you are from outside these areas, please contact your local DHB.
How does it work?
If you think you want to start opioid substitution treatment, you will be offered an appointment with one of one of the case managers at OTS, they will also talk to you about other treatment options. If it is felt that opioid substitution could help you, your name goes on a waitlist until there is a space on the treatment programme. We know that this is a difficult time for people and try to make this wait as short as possible. Before commencing opioid substitution, you will have a comprehensive assessment, and there are a few tests that we need to carry out to check that you are opioid dependent. When opioid dependence is established you will see a doctor who will prescribe substitution medication for you.
The treatment itself starts on a Monday, we need to see you twice on the first day of treatment and then every day at the clinic, this is to check for signs of intoxication or withdrawal, it is to keep you safe and to get you on the correct dose as soon as we can,. During this time we expect you to participate in your treatment plan. After that, your medication will be dispensed at a pharmacy and you will see your doctor as frequently as necessary, but at least every six months. You will see your case manager more frequently, the frequency of case management is determined collaboratively between you and your case manager. We are a specialist service so when people have achieved stability we encourage them to move on to primary care if their GP will prescribe for them.
Who are we?
In our team there are 8 case managers, 2 psychiatrists, 2 staff grade doctors, one administrator and a team leader. Part of our job involves teaching and promoting issues about opiate addiction, so sometimes there are junior doctors and students attached to the service.
When are we open?
Monday to Friday, 8.30 to 5pm (closed public holidays)
Where are we?
Team Leader
Clarissa Broderick
clarissa.broderick "at" ccdhb.org.nz
Useful links
1.Methadone http://www.drugtext.org/library/books/methadone/section4.html
2.Alcohol and Drug Association NZ www.adanz.org.nz
3.Methamphetamine www.alcoholdrughelp.org.nz/Helpline/Subnav/Drug%20Information/p
4.Gambling www.gamblingproblem.co.nz
5. Kaupapa Maori Services, Wellington www.rmauriora.org.nz
6. Rangatahi Alcohol and Drug Treatment www.oratoa.co.nz/rangataua_poneke.htm