A Safe Place for Your Recovery from
Mental Health and Substance Addiction
You may feel like no one sees the full picture. At Fullarton Clinic, we listen—and treat both your mental health and substance use concerns in one coordinated plan.
The term Dual Diagnosis is used when you are living with both a mental health concern and a substance addiction. People living with Dual Diagnosis often experience symptoms at the same time. Whilst it is complex, it is not unusual to see two conditions present. In Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment Programs across Australia, between 50% and 76% of participants meet the diagnostic criteria for at least one co-occurring mental illness.
Co-occurring conditions can be misdiagnosed or misunderstood. The two conditions often overlap and affect each other, making your recovery more complex, but not impossible.
Reference – (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2024)
Living with Dual Diagnosis:
Do you use alcohol or other drugs to cope with Depression or Anxiety?
It is more common than you think. Among Australians diagnosed with a Substance Use Disorder, nearly half (46%) also met the criteria for an Anxiety or Affective Disorder.
People start drinking more or taking other drugs to manage feelings of Depression or block out memories from Trauma or some other reason. Whilst it may initially appear to work, in the long term, it is causing you more harm, and your substance use may contribute to the development or worsening of symptoms such as Depression, Psychosis and other mental health conditions.
Reference – (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2024)
Dual Diagnosis is often misunderstood. But with the right care, recovery is always possible.
Substance Use
Substance use among people aged 18 years and over according to mental health status
Reference: National Drug Strategy Household Survey, AIHW 2022–2023
(Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2024)
Recognising the signs of Dual Diagnosis is an important step toward understanding your unique challenges and seeking the right support.
Signs You May Be Living with Dual Diagnosis
Are you experiencing the following symptoms?
- Using alcohol or drugs to manage overwhelming emotions or distress.
- You notice your mental health symptoms increase with substance abuse.
- Finding it challenging to maintain medication or therapeutic intervention due to substance abuse.
- You've had a substance abuse problem in the past and now have a mental health problem or vice versa.
- You experience feelings of hopelessness, shame or numbness.
- You move through cycles of recovery and relapse.
Your lived experience is significant, and you do not need to manage it alone. Dual diagnosis is treatable with the proper support.
Effectively managing Dual Diagnosis requires addressing mental health and substance use together.
Treating one condition and ignoring the other significantly increases the risk of relapse or ongoing distress.
That’s why we take an integrated approach, grounded in clinical evidence and delivered in a compassionate, private setting. Our programs typically run for 28 days, including detox when it’s needed. If you're not currently using drugs or alcohol but have a history that supports a Dual Diagnosis, you may still benefit from integrated care. The length of your stay may vary depending on the complexity and severity of your needs—but we’ll work with you to make sure your treatment is appropriate, supportive, and effective.
You don’t have to do this alone.
Evidence-based support can make recovery not just possible — but sustainable.
The Importance of Integrated Treatment
You may feel misunderstood or poorly supported without integrated care if your conditions aren't treated together.
Treating both issues at the same time can help prevent common setbacks, including:
- Misdiagnosis or gaps in care
- Self-medicating
- Increased mental health symptoms and increased addictive behaviours
- Poor treatment outcomes
- Relapse
- Loss of trust in the health system
Fullarton Clinic is designed to meet the needs of individuals with complex presentations, supporting your recovery from start to finish.
Our commitment to complete care extends to every aspect of your recovery journey—supporting your mental health and addiction needs right here in Epping, Melbourne.
Ways We Support Your Journey
Fullarton Clinic provides discreet Mental Health and Addiction Recovery support for Dual Diagnosis, including:
1
Comprehensive Mental Health Assessment
An in depth evaluation to understand your mental health, substance use, and overall wellbeing—so your treatment plan meets your unique needs.
2
Medical Detox
Safe, medically supervised withdrawal management is available if required, with care tailored to your physical and emotional wellbeing.
3
Integrated Addiction Support
Evidence-based strategies that treat substance use within the context of your mental health—never in isolation.
4
Therapeutic Interventions
Individual counselling, group therapy, and structured support focused on Dual Diagnosis and long term recovery.
5
Ongoing Mental Health Care
Consistent, compassionate mental health support during your stay—addressing Mood, Anxiety, Trauma or other conditions.
6
Aftercare Planning
We help you prepare for life after treatment with Outpatient services, Day Programs, and recovery planning that supports sustainable wellness.
With integrated mental health and addiction care, you can take back control of your health and wellbeing—supported by specialists who understand the complexities of Dual Diagnosis.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below is a list of common questions associated with Dual Diagnosis.
Your Recovery Starts at Fullarton Clinic
When you stay at Fullarton Clinic in Epping, you don’t need to leave Melbourne to access high quality Dual Diagnosis care in a safe and supportive environment.
Our care model addresses more than just the symptoms of addiction — we consider the whole person. That includes coexisting mental health challenges or physical health concerns that may be impacting your recovery.
Whether you're seeking help for the first time or returning after previous treatment, Fullarton Clinic offers discreet, compassionate support tailored to your needs.
Our mental health facility is designed for comfort, privacy, and healing, providing a calm and caring environment where you can focus on your recovery journey.
Inpatient and Day Programs for Dual Diagnosis Treatment in Melbourne
Begin or continue treatment with evidence-based, tailored Dual Diagnosis care. Our Mental Health and Addiction Recovery Inpatient and Day Programs are delivered in a safe, private hospital located in Melbourne.
Explore the programs below—it's best to start with the symptom affecting you most. Alternatively, if you would like support to determine the right program for you, call our intake team on 1300 377 464 (1300 EPPING).
Recovery starts with integrated care
Access comprehensive Dual Diagnosis treatment in a private mental health hospital. Our Inpatient Program supports individuals facing both addiction and mental health challenges, offering medically supervised detox (if required), evidence-based therapies, and compassionate care tailored to your unique recovery journey.
Stay supported while moving forward
Continue your recovery with integrated care through our Day Program. Designed for individuals managing both addiction and mental health concerns, this program provides ongoing support following Inpatient treatment—or as a standalone pathway. Delivered in a premium private hospital, with a focus on stability, progress, and connection.
Specialist care for complex mental health needs
Our Inpatient Program offers tailored Dual Diagnosis support for individuals experiencing mental health concerns alongside substance use. Delivered in a private hospital, care includes detox (if needed), evidence-based therapies, and integrated treatment designed around your mental health goals and recovery priorities.
Ongoing support for mental health and recovery
This structured Day Program supports those navigating mental health challenges—either alone or in combination with substance use. It offers flexible, integrated care in a premium private mental health setting, helping you build momentum and confidence post-inpatient care or as a direct entry point.
Ready to take the next step?
If you or someone you know is living with both mental health and substance, use challenges, Fullarton Clinic offers safe, specialised support with tailored programs designed to meet your unique needs.
You don’t need a referral to get in touch — but a referral is required for admission into our Dual Diagnosis Program.
Whether you’re seeking support for yourself or someone you care about, we’re here to help — without pressure or judgement. Please complete the form or contact our team, and we’ll support you with an assessment, help coordinate the referral process, and connect you with a Psychiatrist.