Conditions
Drug and alcohol addiction
Substance use disorders, involving alcohol, prescription medications such as opioids and benzodiazepines, cannabis, stimulants or other drugs, are common, and they are medical conditions, not moral failings. Repeated substance use changes the brain's reward, stress and self-control circuits, which is why willpower alone so often is not enough, and why effective medical and psychological treatments exist.
Substance use rarely travels alone. Around half of people with a substance use disorder also live with another mental health condition, most commonly depression, anxiety, PTSD or ADHD, a combination known as dual diagnosis. Often the substance began as a way of coping with the other condition. Treating one while ignoring the other rarely works, and integrated treatment of both together is the approach taken at Mind Connections.
Assessment without judgment
Shame keeps people from seeking help for substance use more than almost any other barrier. At Mind Connections, assessment is conducted with respect and without judgment, focused on understanding your situation: what you use, what role it plays in your life, what it costs you, your physical health, your mental health, and what you want to change. Honest information allows safe treatment; nothing you share will be met with a lecture.
Treatment
Treatment is tailored to the substance, the severity, and your goals, which may be abstinence or may begin with reduction and harm minimisation. Options include medications that reduce craving and support abstinence from alcohol and other substances, safe medically supervised withdrawal planning where needed (coordinated with appropriate inpatient or outpatient services), treatment of co-occurring depression, anxiety, PTSD and ADHD, psychological therapies addressing the patterns that drive use, and relapse prevention. Emerging evidence also supports rTMS in addiction disorders, and this option is available on site for suitable patients.
Recovery is rarely a straight line, and a lapse is information, not failure. Long-term outcomes from treatment are far better than most people expect, and they improve further when mental health care, family support and medical treatment work together.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to be ready to quit completely before seeking help?
No. You only need to be willing to talk honestly about your use. Goals are developed together, and for many people the path begins with reduction and safety rather than immediate abstinence.
Will my drinking or drug use be reported to anyone?
Consultations are confidential within the standard limits that apply to all medical care. There are specific legal obligations in narrow circumstances, such as serious safety risks, which your clinician can explain. Honest disclosure is what makes treatment safe and effective.
Is addiction really a medical condition?
Yes. Substance dependence involves measurable changes in brain circuits governing reward, stress and self-control. This is why medications and structured treatments work, and why blame and willpower alone so often do not.
What is dual diagnosis?
The combination of a substance use disorder with another mental health condition such as depression, anxiety, PTSD or ADHD. It is extremely common, and treating both conditions together, rather than being bounced between services, produces far better outcomes.
Are there medications that help with alcohol dependence?
Yes. Several effective medications reduce craving and support abstinence or reduced drinking, and they are underused in Australia. Your psychiatrist can advise which, if any, suit your situation alongside psychological treatment.
Can I stop drinking or using suddenly on my own?
For some substances, particularly alcohol and benzodiazepines, sudden unsupervised withdrawal can be medically dangerous. Always seek medical advice before stopping heavy, long-term use; safe withdrawal can be planned and supported.
What happens if I relapse during treatment?
You will be met with problem-solving, not judgment. Lapses are common in recovery and carry useful information about triggers and gaps in the plan. Treatment continues, adjusted by what was learned.
Can my family be involved?
With your consent, yes. Substance use affects whole families, and informed, supported families improve outcomes. Clinicians can also point family members towards their own support resources.
Getting Started
Your first appointment, made simple
Visit our 'What to expect' page to learn more about the booking process.
Obtain a referral
For psychiatry, ask your GP for a referral. For psychology, ask your GP for a Mental Health Care Plan and referral. This is what enables your Medicare rebates.
Book online or call us
Choose your clinician, location and time online, 24/7, or call our friendly reception team and we'll find a time that suits.
Attend your appointment
In person or by telehealth. Your first session is about understanding you, your history and what you'd like help with.