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At St John of God Health Care we know your health journey can be a complex one. Our blogs, written by our trusted experts, can help you find out more about your health condition, what to expect when you come for care, treatment or surgery and how to improve your wellbeing.

Image of Manager for the Drug and Alcohol and Withdrawal Network David Balakrishnan

David Balakrishnan - Manager Drug & Alcohol Withdrawal Network

Drug and Alcohol Withdrawal Network (DAWN)

David Balakrishnan is originally from Singapore and started off his career in the military as a combat specialist. He moved on to become an Ambulance Officer with the Singapore Civil Defence Force managing a fleet of ambulances and training paramedics before settling down into the field of Mental Health, Alcohol and other Drugs. David has worked internationally completing his professional in residence training in Hazelden Betty Ford Centre in Palm Springs, California USA and at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in Toronto, Canada.

David has worked both internationally and across different states in Australia, including Victoria, Northern Territory, Queensland and Western Australia as a Senior Clinician and in management roles. He has experienced many exciting events in his career in health, the most memorable being when he was tasked as the officer in charge involving mass casualties due to an industrial building collapse where he had to attend to casualties and coordinate Ambulance services to several Emergency Departments. Another high point in his career involved leading a Community Mental Health Team (Excellence in Mental Health) as its Service Manager in achieving the WA Health Excellence Award.

David is currently the Manager for the Drug and Alcohol and Withdrawal Network, a service providing in-home withdrawal to people in Perth metropolitan.