How we help
Alcohol & Substance Use Support Gold Coast
People use alcohol and other substances for understandable reasons - to unwind, to sleep, to quiet anxiety, to blunt grief, or simply because it became part of the routine. Difficulties tend to develop gradually, and by the time someone notices, the substance is often doing a job that nothing else is currently doing. That is not a character flaw, and it is not something you need to have resolved before seeking help.
Our Clinical Psychologists at MindTree Psychology in Mermaid Beach offer confidential, non-judgemental support to adults across the Gold Coast who are questioning their relationship with alcohol or other substances. You do not need to have decided on abstinence, or on anything at all, to start. Many people come simply to think it through with someone who will not tell them what to do.
Signs and symptoms
Patterns of dependence build quietly. Some signs worth paying attention to include:
- Drinking or using more, or for longer, than you intended
- Needing more than you used to for the same effect
- Difficulty cutting down despite genuinely wanting to
- Using to manage stress, anxiety, low mood, pain or sleep
- Withdrawal symptoms - shakiness, sweating, agitation, poor sleep - when you stop
- Time increasingly organised around obtaining, using or recovering
- Continuing despite effects on work, health, finances or relationships
- Concern expressed by family, friends or your GP
- Secrecy about quantities, or minimising when asked
- Guilt or shame afterwards, followed by resolutions that do not hold
How therapy helps
Ambivalence is normal and expected. Almost everyone who considers change also has good reasons for keeping things as they are, and being pushed tends to strengthen the case for staying put. Our approach is collaborative: we explore both sides honestly and support the direction you choose, whether that is cutting back, taking a break, or stopping altogether.
Treatment also addresses what the substance has been managing, because change is far more sustainable when those needs are met another way.
Motivational interviewing (MI)
A respectful, evidence-based conversational approach that helps you explore your own reasons for and against change, and resolve ambivalence without pressure or confrontation.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Identifies the triggers, thoughts and situations that lead to use, and builds practical alternatives - coping strategies, refusal skills and new routines to occupy the space the substance filled.
Relapse-prevention planning
Anticipating high-risk situations, recognising early warning signs, and preparing specific responses. A lapse is treated as information to learn from rather than evidence of failure.
Treating co-occurring difficulties
Anxiety, depression, trauma, chronic pain and sleep problems very often sit underneath substance use. Addressing them alongside is central to lasting change.
What to expect at MindTree
- A confidential, non-judgemental first session. We are interested in understanding your situation, not in labelling it.
- No requirement to commit to abstinence before you begin - your goals are yours to set, and can change over time.
- Coordination with your GP where medical support, withdrawal management or medication may be appropriate, with your consent.
- Referral to specialist alcohol and other drug or withdrawal services if that would better meet your needs, and support in accessing them.
- A private consulting suite at Mermaid Plaza, with telehealth available across Australia.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to stop completely to get help?
No. Many people begin with a goal of cutting back or taking a break, and some are still deciding. Support is available wherever you are in that process, and your goals can be revised as you go.
Is what I say confidential?
Yes. Sessions are confidential within the standard legal and ethical limits that apply to all psychological practice, which your psychologist will explain clearly in your first session.
What if I have tried to cut down before and it did not last?
That is very common and does not predict future outcomes. Previous attempts usually contain valuable information about what helped and what got in the way, and we build the next plan using it.
Speak with our team about alcohol and substance use
Our reception team can help you find the right psychologist and a time that suits you.