Dual Diagnosis Program

Dual diagnosis treatment of alcohol and substance use disorders, alongside mental health issues

Many people who are navigating the complexities of addiction are managing more than just substance use. They’re also carrying anxiety, depression, trauma, or other mental health conditions that have become deeply intertwined with how and why they have turned to drug and alcohol use.

At Hader Clinic Queensland, we treat both conditions together, within the same program, by the same clinical staff. Our multidisciplinary team is highly experienced in treating complex presentations, providing integrated care that addresses both issues together for lasting recovery.

Call for a confidential chat

Find out what it costs

Understanding dual diagnosis

Dual diagnosis refers to the co-existence of a mental health condition and substance abuse. For example, someone may experience both depression and cannabis dependence, or anxiety and alcohol misuse. In Australia, around half of people accessing alcohol and other drug treatment are also managing a mental health condition.

These conditions often interact in ways that make it difficult to determine where one ends and the other begins. Addressing substance use without looking at the mental health factors that sustain it leaves part of the problem untouched. And treating mental health in isolation, without accounting for the role substances play, often produces the same result. Many people come to us after trying to get help elsewhere and feeling like something was missed.

Effective recovery requires both to be addressed together at the same time, so the patterns driving each can be properly understood and worked through.

Learn more about the connection between mental health and addiction

Common co-occurring conditions we treat

Our clinical team is experienced in managing a wide range of mental health conditions alongside substance use, including:

• Anxiety and addiction
• Depression and addiction
• Post-traumatic stress disorder and addiction
• Bipolar disorder and addiction
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder and addiction
• Drug-induced psychosis

These are some of the more common mental health conditions we see, but many people arrive without a clear diagnosis at all. Some have been told different things by different services, and others have a sense that something is going on but have never had it properly explored.

Whatever you’re carrying, our clinical team will take the time to understand it thoroughly before making any decisions about your care.

View all common co-occurring disorders

Common signs of dual diagnosis

Recognising the signs of dual diagnosis can be difficult, as symptoms of mental illness and substance use often overlap. However, there are some common indicators that may suggest a person is experiencing both a mental health condition and an addiction:

Behavioural signs

• Sudden changes in behaviour, mood, or personality
• Withdrawing from family, friends, or social activities
• Difficulty meeting work, study, or relationship commitments
• Engaging in risky or impulsive behaviour
• Continuing to use alcohol or drugs despite negative consequences

Emotional and psychological signs

• Persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety, or irritability
• Mood swings or emotional instability
• Feelings of hopelessness, guilt, or worthlessness
• Poor concentration or memory
• Heightened stress or inability to cope with everyday challenges

Physical signs

• Noticeable changes in sleep patterns or appetite
• Unexplained physical health issues (e.g. fatigue, headaches, stomach problems)
• Neglect of personal hygiene or appearance
• Drastic changes or fluctuations in body weight

Substance use patterns

• Increasing tolerance or needing more of a substance to achieve the same effect
• Using substances to manage emotions, stress, or mental health symptoms (“self-medicating”)
• Withdrawal symptoms when not using
• Repeated unsuccessful attempts to cut down or stop using

The best chance at long-term recovery is an integrated treatment approach

Our dual diagnosis program is built around the principle that mental health and addiction cannot be treated in isolation from each other. Both are assessed at admission and addressed throughout the residential treatment program by the same multidisciplinary clinical team.

The treatment model includes medically supervised detox where required, followed by our residential program, which runs for 4, 8, or 12 weeks. Within that program, the psychoeducation curriculum addresses both addiction and mental health across five modules:

• Addictive Behaviours
• Mental Health Mastery
• Relapse Prevention
• Trauma
• Strength and Resilience

Individual counselling sessions run weekly alongside the group program, giving each person the space to develop insight into their own presentation, the link between their mental health and substance use, and the skills they need to maintain recovery after treatment.

Hader Clinic Queensland holds QIP (Quality Innovation Performance) accreditation.

What happens after dual diagnosis treatment

For people managing a dual diagnosis, the period following residential treatment is particularly important. The work of maintaining mental health and recovery doesn’t stop when you leave.

Our residential program connects directly to a broader continuum of care. Depending on your situation, you may move into our transitional housing program for a supported living environment before returning home, or into our outpatient program to maintain structured support while returning to daily life.

Our online aftercare program is available to clients across Australia who are unable to attend in person. The support we put in place after you leave is as considered as the program you complete while you’re here.

Why dual diagnosis is often misunderstood in the health system

Living with both a mental health condition and an addiction can be incredibly complex, not only for the individual affected but also for their family and support network. Unfortunately, people with dual diagnoses often encounter significant barriers when seeking help.

A common challenge is the lack of professional understanding and coordination between mental health and addiction services. This can lead to frustration, confusion, and feelings of being “stuck between two systems.”

Common experiences include:

• Addiction services focus on substance use and treat mental health concerns as a byproduct, rather than a condition in their own right
• Health professionals acknowledge the diagnosis but treat substance use as a barrier to treatment, rather than part of the same picture
• Behaviour that reflects an untreated dual diagnosis, the mood instability, the difficulty engaging, the withdrawal from life, gets misread as someone being difficult or unmotivated, rather than someone who isn’t getting the right kind of help
• People are sent back and forth between services that don’t communicate with each other, without either addressing the underlying causes
• Families watch someone they love cycle through services that don’t seem to be working, without ever feeling like what’s really going on is being properly seen

If you’ve been through the system before and felt like something was missed, we’d encourage you to get in touch.

Call for a confidential chat

Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) approved addiction treatment provider

If you’re a veteran managing both a mental health condition and substance use, you may be able to access our treatment programs at no cost through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

We support both DVA White Card and DVA Gold Card holders, with access to medically supervised detox, integrated dual diagnosis treatment, residential rehabilitation, and ongoing aftercare.

Learn more about our support for veterans

Support for families and loved ones

We understand that addiction and mental health issues don’t just affect the individual; they have a profound impact on families, partners, and loved ones. It can be incredibly difficult to watch someone you care about struggle, especially when their behaviour feels unpredictable or their needs are misunderstood by the health system.

That’s why our family support and education program is an essential part of treatment. We work closely with families to help them understand dual diagnosis, develop healthy boundaries, and rebuild trust and communication. Our goal is to support healing not just for the individual in recovery, but for the entire support network.

Our family support includes:

• Therapeutic support: Providing monthly support sessions that allow families to express their experiences and learn effective ways to cope.
• Education and awareness: Helping families understand the connection between addiction and mental health, and how each influences recovery, through twice-monthly group education sessions.
• Involvement in treatment: Encouraging safe and supportive family participation in a staged approach through visitation and approved leave, to strengthen long-term outcomes.

We believe that when families are informed, supported, and included, recovery outcomes are stronger and more sustainable. If your family has been impacted by addiction and mental health challenges, our team is here to help.

Download our free family guide to addiction

A team dedicated to supporting both sides of recovery

Our team includes health professionals experienced in both mental health and alcohol and other drug treatment. Some have been through their own recovery, and they come to this work with something that goes beyond a qualification.

For many people who come to us, they’ve already tried to get help elsewhere. They’ve sat in waiting rooms, been told to come back when they’re sober, or felt like no one was quite seeing what was going on. The people on our team know what that’s like, and it’s part of what makes the support here different.

Meet our team

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a formal mental health diagnosis before I can access the program?

No. Many people who come to us have undiagnosed mental health disorders that are identified through our intake and assessment process. You don’t need a prior diagnosis to be eligible for treatment.

What is self-medication?

Self-medication refers to using substances to manage the symptoms of an undiagnosed or untreated mental health condition. It’s extremely common in people with dual diagnosis, as it means the substance use is serving as a coping mechanism. Simply removing the substance without addressing what it was managing leaves a gap that significantly increases the risk of returning to use.

Understanding the role substances have played, and developing other ways to meet those needs, is a core part of how we approach dual diagnosis treatment.

How long does the program run?

The residential rehabilitation program runs for 4, 8, or 12 weeks, with program length determined through a thorough clinical assessment. For clients who require medically supervised detox, this takes place first at Hader Clinic Queensland Private Hospital, before transitioning into the residential program.

Will I be prescribed medication for my mental health?

If medication is appropriate, it will be discussed with you as part of your care plan. Any decisions around medication are made by the clinical team based on your history, current presentation, and what’s likely to support your stability during and after treatment.

How is my treatment plan developed?

Your treatment plan is developed following a thorough intake assessment that covers your substance use history, mental health history, medical history, and personal goals. From there, the multidisciplinary team meets weekly to review your progress and adjust your care. It’s a collaborative process to give you the best chance of longevity in recovery.