AIR Detox

18/09/2025

We were honoured to present at the Emergency Care Collective Conference on the Gold Coast this week.

Dr Hok-Yee Siu shared the latest evidence on alcohol-related harms, their impact on our community and healthcare systems, and introduced our in-home detox program — designed to provide patients with timely access to safe, doctor-led care, while making it easier for healthcare professionals to connect people with the right support.

At AIR Detox, we’re proud to be part of the conversation about new models of care that make treatment more accessible, effective, and patient-centred.

14/08/2025

We’re excited to share that AIR Detox is now part of the Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) Partnership Group for the Gold Coast Joint Regional Plan 2025–2028.

This important initiative — led by Gold Coast Primary Health Network - GCPHN and Gold Coast Health — brings together local health services, people with lived experience, and First Nations representatives to improve access, integration, and outcomes for those impacted by alcohol and other drugs.

Our fully funded home alcohol detox pilot is already helping turn this vision into reality, offering safe, person-centred care right where people feel most comfortable — at home.

It’s a privilege to work alongside other leaders in the sector to make real, lasting change in our community.

Read more:

We’re proud to be part of the implementation of the Gold Coast Joint Regional Plan 2025–2028, improving access, integration, and outcomes for alcohol and other drug support.

29/07/2025

📣 Big news for Gold Coast residents!
We’ve partnered with Gold Coast Primary Health Network - GCPHN, QuIHN, and Lives Lived Well to offer a fully funded, in-home alcohol detox pilot program — designed to help patients safely withdraw at home with medical care and support.

✅ 7-day alcohol home detox with daily doctor visits
✅ Prescription medication to manage withdrawal symptoms
✅ 3 months of follow-up care
✅ 100% funded by GCPHN

Referrals are available exclusively through QuIHN and Lives Lived Well. Contact one of these organisations to discuss options.

Thank you to Gold Coast PHN for funding this program.

More information at

Eligible Gold Coast residents can now access a fully funded, in-home alcohol detox program — thanks to a new partnership between AIR Detox, Gold Coast PHN, QuIHN, and Lives Lived Well.

01/05/2025

⚠️ Thinking of quitting alcohol “cold turkey”? Read this first.

If you’ve been drinking heavily for a long time, stopping suddenly without medical support can be dangerous — and potentially life-altering.

Attempting alcohol withdrawal without enough thiamine (vitamin B1) can cause permanent brain and neurological damage.
The problem? Most people who drink heavily are already low in thiamine.

At AIR Detox, we make sure your detox is safe and supported — including high-dose thiamine supplements before and during the withdrawal process.

💡 Learn more about why this vitamin is essential before you quit:
👉 https://www.airdetox.au/resources/why-thiamine-supplementation-is-critical-before-an-alcohol-detox

🏡 You don’t have to go cold turkey alone. We’re here to help — safely, in your own home.

Find out why thiamine deficiency is crucial for individuals recovering from alcohol use disorder and how it aids brain health.

09/04/2025

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, in 2024 alcohol contributed to 4.1% of our nation's total disease burden. This might seem small, but the impact is far greater on young men — alcohol is the LEADING risk factor for males aged 15-44, responsible for 10% of their disease burden (compared to 4.2% for women).

What does this burden look like? It's not just hangovers. It's:

— Alcohol dependence
— Various cancers
— Cardiovascular diseases
— Chronic liver disease
— Injuries

These aren't just statistics — they represent real Australians whose lives are affected every day. Let's start a conversation about healthier drinking habits and supporting those who need help.

If you're concerned about your drinking habits, please speak to your GP. If you want to stop drinking altogether we're here to support your journey to better health.

04/04/2025

🌊 Riding the wave of alcohol cravings? You're not alone.

Cravings are temporary, but they can feel overwhelming in the moment. Having a plan to tackle cravings before they arise can help you overcome them successfully. We recommend trying the 5Ds technique:

✅ Delay - Wait 20 minutes for the craving to pass
✅ Drink water - Immediately have a large glass of water
✅ Distract - Shift your focus to another activity
✅ Deep breathing - Use belly breathing to calm your nervous system
✅ Decatastrophise - Challenge negative thoughts about your ability to cope.

Learn more about the 5Ds technique in our blog and download your free relapse prevention card so you are prepared when cravings arise.

If you've experienced a relapse, remember that recovery isn't linear and you can get back on track. Speak to us if you need support.

Visit our blog to learn more

Free relapse prevention download

27/02/2025

With the right medical guidance, many people can safely withdraw from alcohol in the comfort and privacy of their own home. Everyone is carefully assessed by our medical team to ensure your safely and eligibility, however here are some of the key groups who are usually suitable to withdraw at home.
https://www.airdetox.au/resources/who-can-safely-detox-from-alcohol-at-home/

Most people can safely detox from alcohol at home with medical supervision and support. Find out if you are suitable.

14/02/2025

We have exciting news! At the start of this year we launched our telehealth home detox program, and have already started helping people all over Australia. The success of our in person program on the Gold Coast, alongside our mission to make addiction services more accessible, led us to expand our home detox service across the country.

No matter where you live, we can now help you safely start your recovery at home. Read all about it here.

Discover the convenience of our telehealth detox program, designed for safe, at-home addiction recovery and support. Available all across Australia.

31/10/2024

More than 2 drinks for men and more than 1 drink for women can decrease your quality of sleep by 39.3%. But why?

There are 4 different sleep stages which you cycle through each night. There is one stage for Rapid Eye Movement (REM) and three stages for non-REM.

When you go to sleep with alcohol in your system, you experience more N3 sleep, or ‘deep sleep’ and less REM than usual. However, as your body breaks down the alcohol, you start to experience more N1 sleep, the lightest stage of sleep, leading to more frequent wakings and low quality sleep. This is why someone often wakes in the middle of the night finding it hard to settle back to sleep.

How to break the cycle?
— Avoid alcohol at least 3hrs before bedtime
— Create a consistent bedtime routine to signal to your body it’s time to sleep
— Test different methods of relaxation. Try stretching, breathing techniques, soft music, or reading.
— Avoid caffeine in the afternoon and evening
— Get out in the sunshine to support your circadian rhythm
— Be physically active during the day

Source: https://www.sleepfoundation.org/nutrition/alcohol-and-sleep

23/10/2024

A huge thank you to the Gold Coast Primary Health Network - GCPHN for their continuing support for our home detox program. We really appreciate you sharing our service with the Gold Coast Community so we can make addiction treatment more accessible.

Patients on the Gold Coast can now access a home detox service to safely and discreetly withdraw from alcohol or cannabis. Addiction In-home Recovery (AIR Detox) was set up by Dr Hok Yee Siu, a GP with a special interest in Addiction Medicine. He created a seven-day medicated detox and 12-month afte...

10/10/2024

The stigma around mental health and alcohol use is a huge barrier to seeking help. We hope that by raising awareness people will be more forgiving towards themselves and others so they can access the help they deserve.

So, how does alcohol impact your mental health?

Alcohol changes the chemistry of your brain, increasing your risk of depression, panic disorder and impulsive behaviour.

Your brain relies on a fine balance of chemicals to regulate your mood and emotions, but alcohol depletes these chemicals, meaning you can lose your ability to maintain your mental health and reduce anxiety naturally.

Whatsmore, the more alcohol you drink the less dopamine your body releases, which can lead to prolonged periods of low mood.

Alcohol is also one of the most common ways to self-medicate. People drink to deal with stress, anxiety, depression and trauma. But this then hinders their natural ability to regulate their mental health, and so the cycle continues.

There are so many great people and services that want to help, so please reach out. Here are some contacts to get you started:

Lifeline — call 13 11 14
13 Yarn — call 13 92 76
Beyond Blue — visit beyondblue.org.au

08/10/2024

The risk of breast cancer increases with each unit of alcohol consumed per day. But why?

It is a very complex and varied process, however to simplify, when you drink alcohol your body breaks it down into acetaldehyde. Acetaldehyde damages your DNA and prevents your body from repairing the damage. When DNA is damaged, a cell can begin growing out of control and create a cancer tumour.

Another reason alcohol can cause breast cancer is the effect it has on your oestrogen levels, as oestrogen plays a significant role in the progression of many cancers.

Reducing your alcohol intake can greatly reduce your risk of developing breast cancer. Start protecting yourself today.