Addiction Services is a professional and confidential service for individuals, families, carers and communities impacted by substance use. Our service provides a specialist team approach and works within a harm minimisation framework.

Conditions we treat

The following list identifies the most common conditions managed by Addiction Services:

• any kind of substance use including alcohol, tobacco, illicit drugs, prescription drugs, inhalants and over the counter preparations.
• co-occurring alcohol and drug and mental health disorders.

Accessing our service

Anyone with a substance use issue or their family members and friends are eligible for an assessment. Services provided by Addiction Services are free of charge to Medicare Card holders, excluding any costs associated with any prescribed medications.

A referral to the service is not necessary - people can make an appointment either by phone or in person at a clinic.

Services or agencies can make a referral. On referral, an intake form will be completed to gather personal demographics and relevant clinical information. This information will be discussed at a team meeting on the next business day and will be allocated to a clinician to follow up. Urgency is assessed at the time of referral.

Please see our service brochure for more information. 

Services we provide

• counselling interventions
• opiate replacement services, including methadone and buprenorphine programs for individuals with opiate dependence (inclusive of therapeutic dependence)
• a range of other medical interventions, including pharmacotherapies for alcohol and tobacco dependence
• outpatient withdrawal services
• consultation and liaison
• information and education
• relapse prevention
• needle and syringe program - supply of equipment and brief interventions
• Indigenous alcohol and drug outreach
• prevention and community development
• outreach clinics in a variety of locations, including Wynnum, Beenleigh, Beaudesert, Stradbroke Island.

In addition, the following specialist services are provided:

Logan Adolescent Drug Dependencies Early Response Service (LADDERS)

Logan Adolescent Drug Dependencies Early Response Service (LADDERS) The LADDERS team provides a free service for young people aged 12-25 and their families/significant others who are experiencing problematic drug and alcohol use. LADDERS aims to reduce the harms of drug and alcohol use by offering a range of services in a friendly and non-judgmental space.

• Logan Central Community Mental Health Centre- 51 Wembley Rd, Logan Central
• Ph: 3489 2700
• E: MSAMHS_ADS_Logan@health.qld.gov.au

Homeless Outreach Team (inner city Brisbane)

This team provides intensive outreach support and interventions to primary and secondary homeless people with a focus on enhancing access to support and interventions.

These interventions are provided through a consultative/liaison framework for community and government agencies to seek specialist advice on alcohol and drug interventions.

The team works within an outreach model, which includes:

• education and training for community and government agencies
• activities focusing on health promotion
• specialist advice on alcohol and drug interventions
• client case management
• advocacy to enhance access primary health care services.

Preventative Team

The team works within the Metro South area providing community education, developing resources and raising awareness to prevent or minimise the harms associated with alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.

Diversion programs

Police and court diversion programs operate from nominated services within the Metro South Hospital and Health Service.

Therapies

Interventions for the treatment of alcohol and drug presentations fall into three main categories:

Biological

• pharmacotherapy - opiate replacement therapies, nicotine replacement therapies, alcohol anti-craving medications, nicotine anti-craving medications, antipsychotics medications, antidepressants medications, anti-anxiety medications
• detoxifications - medicated and symptomatic
• medical investigations for possible other factors

Psychological

• brief interventions
• psychoeducation
• motivational interviewing
• cognitive behavioural therapies
• solution focused anxiety and stress management
• grief and loss
• sleep hygiene

Social

• relationships
• employment
• budgeting
• life skills
• housing
• advocacy
• legal
• referrals
• cultural
• spiritual.