Outpatient Drug Rehab Center to Re-Open in New Orleans

Outpatient drug rehab center "Orana House Detoxification Center" has highlighted the need for a similar facility to be built in the Shoalhaven, New Orleans. Damage caused by recent heavy rains closed Orana House, located in Port Kembla. But that closure has exposed the region's lack of detoxification beds, particularly ones designated for women. A local resident who spent time in Orana House and did want to be named, said without a proper detoxification centre people in the worst case could die. "The staff at Orana House saved my life," she said. "Alcoholism is a terrible disease and I did not want to start drinking again."

The Orana House drug rehab center also provided inpatient detoxification for drug and alcohol dependent patients. The treatment was usually completed within five days after which patients accessed support and medical care in outpatient clinics or through other community-based services. Southern Hospital Network general manager Sue Browbank said the recent rain caused roof damage to the Orana House building, and given the predictions for more showers in coming weeks, the decision was made to deliver detoxification and rehabilitation programs as an outpatient service only - the same way these services are provided from specialist centers in Sydney.

Mrs. Browbank said outpatient drug rehab treatment of dependent patients was considered clinical best practice, and there would be no impact on access to treatment. As someone who was battling to overcome alcoholism, the local resident disagreed with claims the outpatient service was best practice. She said a person looking to detoxify from alcoholism was not thinking straight and could misuse the medicine given, causing more harm. She said the dangers heightened when a patient was living alone, and was adamant a detoxification center was the best model to use.

Personal issues resulted in her alcoholic relapse after 12 years and she said not only did the Orana House staff help her overcome alcoholism; they also helped with some psychological issues. "They helped me deal with some problems that were being caused on a sub-conscious level, problems I did not know I had," she said. Meanwhile, the Shoalhaven Safe Community Aboriginal Partnership (SSCAP) would like all Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people who have an interest in establishing an outpatient drug rehab unit for women in the Shoalhaven to attend a meeting.

SSCAP wants to set up a local unit because women who need treatment currently have to travel out of the area and away from support people and systems. Hopefully the center will be built, because a lot of people suffering from addiction could really benefit, and most likely more locals would be inclined to get help. There can never been too much help, in fact there couldn't possibly be enough. Thankfully, more outpatient drug rehab facilities are being built all over the world every day, because the number of addicts is growing as well.