About the new residential rehabilitation and withdrawal services

With commencement of the new Rockhampton Residential Rehabilitation and Withdrawal Management Service in December 2021, the Queensland Government has committed to deliver 3 additional alcohol and other drug residential treatment services in Ipswich, Bundaberg and Cairns. New services include:

  • Ipswich: 45-bed residential treatment service for adults including 10 withdrawal management beds and 35 rehabilitation treatment beds.
  • Bundaberg: 28-bed residential treatment service for adults including 8 withdrawal management beds and 20 rehabilitation beds.
  • Cairns: 10-bed residential rehabilitation service for young people as well as other non-residential treatment and support services, including a focus on delivering culturally safe and tailored programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people.

Land and buildings will be owned by the local Hospital and Health Service with the treatment services delivered by a provider of specialist alcohol and other drugs treatment and care.

Establishing the new services in Bundaberg, Cairns and Ipswich involves a planning process including site selection, Ministerial Infrastructure Designation, design development and construction anticipated to occur over 2022 to 2025.

The need for services

The new alcohol and other drug services will improve access to specialist treatment and support for people in Rockhampton, Bundaberg, Ipswich and for young people in Cairns and their surrounding regions.

Better and earlier access to treatment helps people with problematic alcohol and other drug use make positive behaviour changes and reduces stress on families.

Admission to the new services is voluntary and for people assessed as suitable for residential treatment programs.

Service updates

Understanding residential rehabilitation services

Residential rehabilitation is a live-in service for people to engage in treatment for alcohol and/or other drug dependence. There are a variety of service models and programs that can range from 6 weeks to several months.

Residential rehabilitation services offer a range of therapeutic activities and programs that focus on structured support and involve clinical, cultural, social, and other skills that support recovery into everyday living.

Based on comprehensive assessment, a treatment and support plan is tailored in collaboration with the client to meet their individual need.

After leaving a residential rehabilitation program, post-treatment support (aftercare) is provided to help with the transition back into everyday living and to support continued recovery.

Participation in treatment is voluntary. Many people seek help themselves as they are ready to make positive changes to their health and wellbeing. Some people may also be referred by others, such as families or through other services and systems, however it is always the choice of the person as to whether they wish to participate or not.

For young people, depending on their age, parent/guardian consent to participate may also be required.

Community impact

Residential rehabilitation services benefit communities by allowing better and earlier access to more structured and intensive treatment for people with problematic alcohol and other drug use, allowing them to make positive life and behavioural changes.

When people need and are ready for help with their alcohol and other drug use, having closer and more immediate access to specialist services can make a big difference.

People can be supported to address their substance use more quickly and this also reduces their risk of alcohol and drug related harms (like injury and illness, loss of employment, impact on relationships)

Better and quicker access to treatment also reduces the stress on families and loved ones.

Queensland Health will be undertaking consultation with communities and stakeholders in each location as part of planning and establishment of new services. Updates on progress will be included on this website at key milestones.

Questions or comments

For enquiries about the new services, please email AOD_CapitalProjects@health.qld.gov.au

Last updated: 28 April 2023