People are often reluctant to discuss their AOD use or seek treatment, often due to stigma or limited awareness of the severity and consequences of their consumption. As a result, treatment uptake remains low. Data from the 2025 Australian National Survey indicate that only 27% of individuals ever seek treatment, and those who do wait a median of about eight years from onset before first accessing care. Primary care settings thus offer a crucial first step to identify and address any potential AOD-related problems.

This toolkit brings together key information about AOD use, what you can do as a rural mental health practitioner, some of the frequently asked questions, and guidance on where to access further learning, all in one place.

This resource was developed for the Rural Mental Health Partnership by Kate Tan and Dr Dayle Raftery (Clinical Psychologist) at The Peregrine Centre. The Rural Mental Health Partnership is funded by NSW Health.

We thank Suzie Hudson (Centre for Alcohol and Other Drugs) and Bec Bennett (Lived Experience Expert)  for their valuable contributions to this resource.

This resource is an introduction to working with people presenting with AOD use concerns. It is not exhaustive nor designed as a treatment manual. It is also not designed to replace clinical judgement or specialised training. Health professionals working in this area are encouraged to seek training in evidence-based treatments, and to continue engaging in supervision and reflective practice.