The
Bluefield Clinic
Alcohol Recovery
The Role of Medication in Alcohol Recovery
For many people, medication can play an important role in reducing cravings, supporting behaviour change, and lowering the risk of relapse. Medication is not a stand-alone solution, but when combined with structured clinical psychological therapy, it can significantly improve outcomes for alcohol use disorder.
Our role is to integrate clinical psychological treatment with appropriate medication support, working collaboratively with your GP to ensure care is safe, monitored and tailored to you.
Why Ongoing GP Care Is Essential
People with a history of heavy drinking often require medical monitoring during recovery. This may include liver function, mood, blood sugar levels, blood pressure and other health indicators.
For this reason, medication for alcohol use disorder is prescribed and monitored by your GP. We support this process by providing clinical input, clinical psychological treatment, and collaboration where appropriate.
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Medication-Based Treatment and GP Collaboration
Combination therapy approach is regarded as the gold-standard in alcohol recovery treatment. A large body of contemporary research in alcohol recovery treatment shows the best outcomes occur when pharmacotherapy and psychological therapy are combined. Medication addresses the neurobiological reinforcement, while psychological therapy addresses behaviour, coping, stress regulation and relapse prevention.
Medication for alcohol use disorder is prescribed and monitored by the patient’s GP. We support this process through clinical psychological treatment and the monitoring of adherence and response with the aid of a daily drink diary.
Ongoing GP involvement is essential given the need for monitoring liver function, mood, metabolic parameters and overall physical health during recovery.
(15 Mins. Free)
Collaborative Care With Your GP
We do not prescribe medication. Instead, we work alongside your GP to support evidence-based treatment decisions. With your consent, this may include sharing relevant clinical information, supporting medication adherence and aligning clinical psychological treatment with your medical care.
This collaborative approach ensures treatment remains safe, coordinated, and responsive to changes in your health or goals.
A Gradual, Supported Approach to Change
Our Programme does not require abrupt cessation or intensive detoxification. For many people, a gradual, medically supported reduction in alcohol use is safer, more tolerable and more sustainable.
This approach can help minimise unpleasant withdrawal symptoms and often allows clients to continue working, caring for family and maintaining daily responsibilities without the disruption associated with residential and intensive detox programmes.
Flexible, Accessible Care
Appointments are provided via telehealth and are Medicare-rebate eligible. There are no contracts and no upfront payments required. This allows treatment to proceed at a pace that suits your needs, without the financial pressure or long-term commitments sometimes associated with residential or bundled programmes.
Who May Benefit From This Approach
This model may be appropriate if you:
• Want to reduce or stop drinking with medical support
• Prefer a gradual, outpatient approach rather than intensive detox
• Value coordinated care between psychological and medical providers
• Want flexible, telehealth-based treatment without contracts