Treating alcohol and drug use

Our health

Treating alcohol

and drug use

People seeking to address their substance use can benefit from evidence-based treatments that help them to achieve their goals and change their lives.

Opportunities

Our region would benefit from increased availability and access to specialised counselling, support and rehabilitation services that deal with alcohol and drug use but also focus on other aspects of health and wellbeing.

Potential focus areas include:

education and prevention activities focused on young people
alcohol and drug training for health service staff, including general practitioners
peer support programs for health service staff
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers trained in alcohol and drug care, especially in rural and remote regional areas
educational resources for allied professions such as police, youth workers and teachers
integration between mental health, alcohol and other drug services, and other providers in the primary healthcare system
Local Drug Action Teams
transport options and mobile treatment services for rural areas
after-hours treatment options for alcohol and drug cases
day and residential rehabilitation services
prescribers and pharmacies involved in opioid replacement therapy.

Collaborative partners

Hospital and Health Services
Local Governments
Peak bodies and service partners
Accreditation and training agencies
Regional Child, Youth and Family Committee
Queensland Network of Alcohol and Other Drug Agencies.

The outcomes of these actions will be seen in:

increased help-seeking related to alcohol and drug use
decreased rates of presentation of alcohol and drug cases to emergency departments.

Our progress

Consistent with the findings of the 2019–21 HNA, rates of drug and alcohol consumption are similar to Queensland averages across the region, but some regional areas have much higher rates. Support in these areas to promote health and encourage the use of mental health and allied services will continue to be important to deliver improved outcomes.

Related priorities

Providing primary mental health care - read more ›

Improving the health of vulnerable groups - read more ›

Improving the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples - read more ›

Promoting health and preventing disease - read more ›

Alcohol and drug use

Alcohol consumption is associated with an increased risk of chronic disease, injury and premature death (Schuckit 2009). Illicit drug use can have severe health effects, including mental health and death by accidental poisoning (overdose).

The social and economic impacts of the use and misuse of alcohol and other drugs includes increased criminal activity, engagement in risky behaviours, victimisation, and substantial financial costs on the Australian community (AIHW 2021e).

Our area of focus

Rates of alcohol and drug consumption are very high in some of our regional areas, though moderate in the region as a whole.

Evidence

Around 33% of adults in the region were risky alcohol drinkers, meaning they exceed guidelines about the regular consumption of alcohol. This was below the Queensland average of 38%. Rates were higher in the Goondiwindi (44%), Scenic Rim (41%) and Western Downs (40%) regional areas (Queensland Health 2020).

Amphetamines (34%), cannabis (28%), alcohol (19%) and heroin (5%) were the four most common drugs that people in the region sought treatment for during 2019–20 (AIHW 2021e).

Residents told us that when it comes to preventing and accessing alcohol and other drug support services, they would like to see (Health Consumer Queensland 2023):

support for an early intervention program
integration of care between AOD, mental health, and GP service providers.
integration between AOD and social services.
intervention addressing the root causes of AOD use and addiction.
deep and meaningful engagement and consumer-led service design.
peer workforce support and training for AOD professionals.
realistic outreach programs.
peer support programs.
flexible delivery of services, such as virtual support, afterhours services or offering the most effective approach to an individual’s situation.
access and equity for marginalised communities seeking AOD treatment.

Darling Downs and West Moreton Health Needs Assessment

The Darling Downs and West Moreton Primary Health Network (PHN) Health Needs Assessment (HNA) identifies the health priorities and opportunities for our region.

Acknowledgement of Country

The Darling Downs and West Moreton PHN wishes to acknowledge Australia’s Aboriginal people as the Custodians of this land. We pay our respect and recognise their unique cultures and customs and honour their Elders past, present and emerging.

While the Australian Government Department of Health has contributed to the funding of this website, the information on this website does not necessarily reflect the views of the Australian Government and is not advice that is provided, or information that is endorsed, by the Australian Government. The Australian Government is not responsible in negligence or otherwise for any injury, loss or damage however arising from the use of or reliance on the information provided on this website.