2023 Addiction Conference
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The Pinnacle Event for Behavioural Health, Addiction Treatment, and Mental Health Experts
 Wednesday 26 April – Friday 28 April 2023
 RACV Royal Pines Resort, Gold Coast

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10 year high

Alcohol induced death rate is the highest in 10 years.

25% Increase

In 2020, around 2,600,000 Australians will have an addiction to drugs or alcohol. This number is up from 2,100,000 in 2017, an increase of 25%.

More Than 1%

The number of Australians who have a gambling problem doubled over 10 years, to more than 1 percent.

Over 70%

Over 70% of internet addicts also suffered from other addictions.

Statistics: aihw.gov.au, addictionhelp.com, washingtonpost.com

Designed for the sector, by the sector.

Create safer communities by reducing and managing substance use, addiction and harmful dependencies.

From alcohol and other drugs through to exercise, gaming, gambling, technology, food, and pornography, this three day conference encompasses all aspects of behavioural, mental, and chemical addiction.

We want to broaden and promote the understanding of substance use and dependency formation and explore the many ways in which we can put steps in place to prevent, treat, and support those in need.

United, our skills, practices, plans, and research findings can create better paths for prevention, treatment, and recovery.

“I can't recommend the Australian and New Zealand Addiction Conference highly enough. It is extremely professional, with knowledgeable presenters encouraging learning and networking in an ever-changing field of addiction.” – Susan, CatholicCare

Is this event for me

Yes! The Australian & New Zealand Addiction Conference is for you if you’re looking for:  

check-solid-green Application based presentations to leave you with practical tools to create immediate and positive changes for yourself, your clients and your community.
check-solid-green Networking with like-minded AOD, behavioural and mental health professionals to discover best practice solutions.
check-solid-green Inspiration from current research, top professionals and community leaders in the AOD and behavioural health sector.
check-solid-green A platform to share your research, services, and case studies with the leaders in the AOD and behavioural health sector.
check-solid-green A space to collaborate with and support likeminded professionals and services to deliver better outcomes for communities across Australia and New Zealand.
check-solid-green A break away from your every-day to think bigger, creatively and strategically.

Join us and walk away from the event connected, inspired and excited by your sector, it’s professionals and its future.

What our past delegates say

Keynote Speakers

Dr Gabor Maté VIEW BIO

Dr Gabor Maté

Bestselling Author and Internationally Renowned Speaker

Dr Gabor Maté

Dr Gabor Maté

Bestselling Author and Internationally Renowned Speaker

Dr Gabor Maté (pronounced GAH-bor MAH-tay) is a retired physician who, after 20 years of family practice and palliative care experience, worked for over a decade in Vancouver’s Downtown East Side with patients challenged by drug addiction and mental illness. The bestselling author of four books published in thirty languages, Gabor is an internationally renowned speaker highly sought after for his expertise on addiction, trauma, childhood development, and the relationship of stress and illness. His book on addiction received the Hubert Evans Prize for literary non-fiction. For his ground-breaking medical work and writing he has been awarded the Order of Canada, his country’s highest civilian distinction, and the Civic Merit Award from his hometown, Vancouver. His books include In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters with Addiction; When the Body Says No; The Cost of Hidden Stress; Scattered Minds: The Origins and Healing of Attention Deficit Disorder; and (with Gordon Neufeld) Hold on to Your Kids: Why Parents Need to Matter More Than Peers; the International Best-Seller, The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness and Healing in a Toxic Culture. To learn more, join his e-news here: https://www.drgabormate.com.

Edward Mantler VIEW BIO

Edward Mantler

Mental Health Commission of Canada and Co-Chair, HSO Technical Committee TC011 Mental Health and Addictions

Edward Mantler

Edward Mantler

Mental Health Commission of Canada and Co-Chair, HSO Technical Committee TC011 Mental Health and Addictions

A highly motivated visionary and an expert at building partnerships, fostering stakeholder engagement, and aligning strategic objectives, Ed has led innovation and improvement in both health care and mental health for over two decades.

As Vice-President of Programs and Priorities at the Mental Health Commission of Canada, Ed is dedicated to promoting mental health in Canada and changing the attitudes of Canadians toward mental health problems and illnesses. By collaborating with stakeholders to improve access to effective, high-quality mental health services and supports, he leads the way to change, nationally and internationally. Ed also directs efforts to advance the Mental Health Strategy for Canada, with attention to reducing stigmas and increasing mental resiliency through innovative measures like Mental Health First Aid, The Working Mind/The Inquiring Mind, workplace mental health, student mental health, suicide prevention, and research into the impacts of cannabis on the mental health of Canadians.

Ed is accustomed to wearing many different hats. As a Surveyor with Accreditation Canada, he contributes to quality and safety in health care across Canada and internationally. Ed is a Registered Psychiatric Nurse, holds a Master of Science Administration degree, and is a Certified Health Executive.

Judy Atkinson VIEW BIO

Judy Atkinson

Professor of Indigenous Australian Studies

Judy Atkinson

Judy Atkinson

Professor of Indigenous Australian Studies

Of Jiman, Bundjalung, German and English ancestry, Judy Atkinson commenced a PhD after working in Queensland for the Aboriginal Coordinating Council, where she was confronted by the tragedy of colonial rule on her country men and women. She titled the outcomes of her PhD: Trauma Trails – Recreating Song Lines the transgenerational effects of trauma in Indigenous Australia. She continues to search for solutions, a way forward for all Australians, spending the last twenty years working both in the academy (as Professor of Indigenous Australian Studies) and Aboriginal communities across Australia, confronting the tragedies of the past and a possible way forward, for all our children.

Kaye Phillips VIEW BIO

Kaye Phillips

Ph.D. Executive Director, Global Programs, Health Standards Organization Canada

Kaye Phillips

Kaye Phillips

Ph.D. Executive Director, Global Programs, Health Standards Organization Canada

A collaborative leader at heart, Kaye has been dedicated to partnering for people-centered quality healthcare services innovation and improvement for over 15 years.

As Executive Director, Global Programs at the Health Standards Organization (HSO), Kaye and her team lead and foster the experience and expertise of people, families, health professionals, specialists and policymakers from across Canada and around the world - to develop evidence-based standards, assessments and quality improvement tools to achieve safer, equitable, and higher quality care, locally and globally.

Kaye directs partnered initiatives that focus on quality mental health and addictions care and services for people and the workforce across the continuum of care, including the establishment of the new national Mental Health and Addictions standard and Suicide Prevention Program standard and Canada’s Improving Integrated Care for Child and Youth Mental Health collaborative.

Promoting mental health services integration, psychological health and safety and trauma informed care practices, transcends across her teams work through partnered initiatives such as the British Columbia Cultural Safety and Humility standard the new national standard for Long-Term Care Services and the forthcoming national standards on Corrections Services in Canada, Pediatric Pain Management, Cannabis Use for Medical Purposes: Inpatient Care Settings, and Integrated People-Centred Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation standard.

As a family care partner, Kaye holds her lifelong personal experience navigating Canada's mental health and addictions services close to heart. With a deep dedication and love for her family and the outdoors Kaye is humbled on the daily in her personal and professional journey-to embrace the values, tips and tricks of mindful presence and leadership.

Kaye holds a PhD from the University of Toronto's School of Social and Administrative Pharmacy and serves on Canada's national Mental Health and Substance Use Advisory Committee.

male-place VIEW BIO

Neavin Broughton

Board Member of the New Zealand Problem Gambling Foundation

male-place

Neavin Broughton

Board Member of the New Zealand Problem Gambling Foundation

Bio coming soon.

Tony Clarkson VIEW BIO

Tony Clarkson

Principal Clinical Advisor, Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation

Tony Clarkson

Tony Clarkson

Principal Clinical Advisor, Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation

Tony trained as a psychodynamic psychotherapist for six years in London. He is the Vice-President of PACFA (Psychotherapy & Counselling Federation of Australia) and a board member with the South Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network, where he also chairs the Clinical & Community Council.

Tony also co-chairs the National Mental Health Commission’s Self Stigma Technical Advisory Group, which contributes to the development of a National Stigma & Discrimination Reduction Strategy.

He currently works as the Principal Clinical Advisor at the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation (Victorian Department of Justice & Community Safety), where he provides clinical advice for a state-wide gambling addiction service system.

He was previously Clinical Manager at Connect Health & Community and Executive Manager of Psychological Services at Better Place Australia. Tony continues to work in private practice as a psychotherapist with long term patients who present with trauma, addiction and relationship issues.

Ashley Gordon VIEW BIO

Ashley Gordon

Ashley Gordon

Ashley Gordon

Ashley is an Aboriginal Australian from the western-NSW community of Brewarrina, a descendent of the Gamilaroi and Barkindji people.

After a successful career in rugby league with the Newcastle Knights, Ashley is actively involved in the Gambling Help sector with extensive experience working with more the 200 Aboriginal communities throughout Australia. Ashley has vast experience in community education, awareness, help seeking and the delivery of successful programs for Indigenous peoples and communities.

Addressing the impacts of gambling in Aboriginal communities is his passion highlighted by the appointment to the federal Ministerial Expert Advisory Group on Gambling and the Expert Advisory Group for the Australian Gambling Research centre. A gambling counsellor with 20 years’ experience and six years has a gambling researcher with the Centre for Gambling Education and Research at Southern Cross University at Lismore. He currently joined the National Suicide Prevention Trial Evaluation Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sub-Committee.

He is the Executive Director of NSW Aboriginal Safe Gambling Services, where he manages the GambleAware Aboriginal service, which targets Aboriginal communities and GambleAware organisations across NSW each year. He is also the First Nations Advisor for the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation. Ashley has a long-term objective to be involved in the ongoing development and implementation of Gambling related policies and programs that improve the well-being of Aboriginal people. Since the gambling question has been placed in the 715 Health Checks, Ashley been focusing on training to Aboriginal Health Workers.

 

Become a Presenter

Apply to present in 2023 and share your latest projects, programs, plans, and insights in treatment, prevention, and recovery with fellow sector professionals.

Become a Presenter

Over three days, we will explore the topics of:

THEME:  Connecting, Collaborating and Creating Better Communities

Progressive change - embracing and cultivating new ways of prevention, treatment and recovery

  • Harnessing technology & new treatment tools and protocols to pave the way forward in treating addiction
  • Identifying development areas in prevention, treatment and after care services
  • Revaluating treatment models and working towards true multidisciplinary care - what are some examples of this?
  • Decriminalisation of illicit drugs - what does that mean for Australia and NZ?
  • Changing the conversation - how do we change the stigma and judgement around addiction?
  • Therapeutic potentials of Ketamine and other psychedelic medicines

Addicted to tech - understanding the connection: technology, addiction and mental health

  • Understanding the influence of technology in behavioural addictions. What are the signs of technology addiction? Causes and how to prevent and stop.

    Mental health and the rise of technology addiction in young children - trends and changes

    Teens and technology - how can parents protect their teenagers from the dark side of the web?
  • Social media's effects on self-esteem and mental health
  • The role of technology and access to addictive substances and behaviours
  • Connected versus disconnected - social media has allowed us to connect with people from all over the globe, but are we more disconnected from ourselves than ever before? What impact has COVID had on our sense of connection, merging personal with professional?
  • What are clinicians saying about telehealth?

Collaborating for change - how can addiction services better work together to provide integrated, holistic and evidence based diagnosis, care,treatment and support?

  • Exploring dual diagnosis between mental health and addiction/AOD. Best ways to integrate treatment models to provide effective treatment solutions?
  • Bridging the gap - effective treatment models and services for vulnerable communities (rural, remote, Indigenous, LGBTQIA+ etc..)
  • Upskilling the workforce on co-morbidity challenges
  • Aftercare innovations - could services combine to provide effective after care services?
  • Service integration - examples of related services working closely together
  • What is the addiction workforce? Who can work with addiction?
  • Connecting with communities to demystify addictions treatment and drawing on community resilience and wisdom in responding to addictions treatment needs.
  • How best to support the workforce and it's development?
  • What is the peer support role within addiction? How important is it, that peer support is included, supported and encouraged within the sector?

Listening, sharing and learning from Indigenous communities

  • How does cultural safety, or lack of, impact addiction service delivery for First Nations communities?
  • Successful Māori, Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander models of treatment and healing
  • What do we need to do differently to better support indigenous communities?

 

Partner With Us

Explore partnership options and gain exposure for your organisation.

Partner with the Addiction conference and expand your company’s exposure to Australian, New Zealand AOD, behavioural health and mental health professionals. Showcase (and show off) the programs, services and initiatives which can help make all AOD, behavioural health and mental health professionals lives safer, easier and more supported. Our team can assist in creating custom partnership packages designed for your specific goals, so reach out today.

Learn More

Sponsors

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Gold Sponsor

Camurus

Silver Sponsor

Abbvie

Bronze Sponsor

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Bronze Sponsor

St John of God

Bronze Sponsor

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Networking Function Sponsor

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Showcase Exhibitor

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Showcase Exhibitor

Currumbin Clinic

Showcase Exhibitor

Lives Lived Well

Showcase Exhibitor

Currumbin Clinic Aurora

Showcase Exhibitor

Star College Australia

Showcase Exhibitor

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Showcase Exhibitor

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Showcase Exhibitor

Supporters

Industry Events

Preferred Listing Partner

Research Review

Media Partner

AAPI

Partner

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Partner

Host City Partner

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Venue & Accommodation

 RACV Royal Pines Resort

Ross Street, BENOWA QLD 4217
View Map | Website

Accommodation

Run of House Rooms
Room only - $240 per night
Room + breakfast for one - $270 per night
Room + breakfast for two - $300 per night

Spa Suites
Room only - $340 per night
Room + breakfast for one - $370 per night
Room + breakfast for two - $400 per night
* Spa suites available on request - please contact the conference secretariat to book.

Accommodation can be booked when you register.

If you have any questions, please contact us.

Networking Function

Date: Thursday 27 April 2023
Time: 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Cost: Included in your delegate registration. $77 for guests.
Catering: Drinks and canapes will be provided.

Registration Options

Save $110 With Early Bird

In-Person

3 DAY PROGRAM

$1,099 + GST

  • All keynote presentations
  • All concurrent presentations
  • Discounted accommodation rates
  • Access to interactive conference app
  • 5 star conference catering package
  • Access to exclusive networking functions
  • Complete online access to audio and visual presentations for 30 days post-event
  • Printed conference materials
  • Over 10 hours towards CPD points
  • Your personalised certificate of attendance
  • Exposure for your organisation
  • Plus, chances to win great prizes!

REGISTER NOW

Please fill in your details below to begin your registration.

Save $110 With Early Bird

Virtual

2 DAY PROGRAM

$549 + GST

  • Live streaming of all keynote presenters
  • Live streaming of all sessions in the plenary room over two day conference period
  • Virtual presentations
  • Complete online access to audio and visual presentations for 30 days*
  • Over 10 hours towards CPD points
  • Your personalised certificate of attendance
    *Day 1 not included.
    *Access to all audio and visual presentations will be made available 5 business days after the conference has taken place, and will expire 30 days after access has been granted. Options to extend access will also be made available after 30 days.

REGISTER NOW

Please fill in your details below to begin your registration.

Save Over $1,000

In-Person Group of Four

3 DAY PROGRAM

$3,400 + GST

Price For Four (4) People Only

  • All keynote presentations
  • All concurrent presentations
  • Discounted accommodation rates
  • Access to interactive conference app
  • 5 star conference catering package
  • Access to exclusive networking functions
  • Complete online access to audio and visual presentations for 30 days post-event
  • Printed conference materials
  • Over 10 hours towards CPD points
  • Your personalised certificate of attendance
  • Exposure for your organisation
  • Plus, chances to win great prizes!

REGISTER NOW

Please fill in your details below to begin your registration.

Stripe

FAQ

Where is the conference being held and is there accommodation available?

The conference will be held on the sunny Gold Coast in Queensland. The venue is the RACV Royal Pines Resort and we do have special discounted conference accommodation rates available for you. You can access these rates and secure your accommodation at the same time you register for the event.

What are the conference dates and times?

The conference is being held over 2.5 days with day one being a half day of masterclasses with a later start. It looks like this: 
Day one: Wednesday, April 26th. Start time: 1:00pm. Wrap time: 4:30pm 
Day two: Thursday, April 27th. Start time: 8:30am Wrap time: 5:15pm 
Networking function: 5:15pm - 6:15pm. 
Day three: Friday, April 28th. Start time: 9:00am Wrap time: 5:00pm

Does that mean I'll need to travel on ANZAC Day?

One of Australia's most important days of national remembrance, ANZAC Day is held on Tuesday, April 25th, the day before the conference starts.

There are a few options for you to arrange your travel to the Gold Coast. You can decide to make a long weekend trip to the Gold Coast and travel up on 21st, 22nd or 23rd of April. Enjoy the weekend, take part in our Gold Coast ANZAC Day services, then attend the conference the next day.

In the coming weeks we will send more information of Gold Coast destination experiences and local ANZAC Day remembrance services to make the most of your trip.

If you do not travel before or on ANZAC Day, we've ensured the program starts later with time to travel on the morning of Wednesday, 26th. The conference commences for a half day of masterclasses at 1:00pm. The conference venue (RACV Royal Pines Resort) is roughly a 55 minute drive from the Gold Coast airport.

What are the themes and topics of the conference?

Our 2023 theme is: Connecting, Collaborating and Creating Better Communities

Topics include:

  • Progressive change - embracing and cultivating new ways of prevention, treatment and recovery
  • Addicted to tech - understanding the connection: technology, addiction and mental health
  • Collaborating for change - how can addiction services better work together to provide integrated, holistic and evidence based diagnosis, care, treatment and support?
  • Listening, sharing and learning from Indigenous communities

Where's the program agenda? 

The program agenda can be found here: Click here.

Are there any networking functions organised?

Absolutely! On the night of Thursday, April 27th you can enjoy a networking function and connect with your fellow delegates. This is scheduled for 5:15pm - 6:15pm.

Does this event count towards CPD points?

It does. You will be given a personalised certificate of attendance, counting towards ten hours of CPD points.

Who typically attends the Addiction conference?

  • AOD sector workers and mental health professionals 
  • Addiction experts and NGOs 
  • Psychologists and psychiatrists 
  • Researchers, peer workers and lived experience 
  • Rehab facility workers and leaders 
  • Government representatives and policy makers 
  • Anyone connected to the AOD sector 

Is this conference available online?

Yes, you can attend the conference online as a virtual delegate if travelling to the Gold Coast is not an option for you. The investment for online registration is $449 + GST and gives you access live online for the full two days of conference. Please note, it does not include the first half day of masterclasses. Find out more about options here.

What will I gain by attending this conference?

  • You will gain best practices, new ideas and real solutions with applicable takeaways to transport into your work and your community.
  • You'll have a platform to use your voice and experience to influence policy change and give your feedback to the decision makers.
  • You'll be involved in multi-sectoral collaboration and use the conference to share knowledge, case studies and research in order to advance the prevention, treatment and recovery of current and future generations.
  • You'll be a part of the conversation to address key mental and emotional health challenges facing addiction and improve access to adequate support services
  • Enjoy networking opportunities and professional development at the same time in a different, inspiring environment. 
  • You'll gain access to the latest research, projects, programs and strategies to help meet the diverse and complex needs of your clients. 

Contact Us

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    • 2021 Resource Centre
    • 2022 Resource Centre

    Contact

    Please use the contact form to get in touch.
    PO Box 329, Ashmore City, 4214
    +61 7 5502 2068

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    © The Australian & New Zealand Mental Health Association. All rights reserved.

    As an association that is a leader in mental health, we stand beside our First Nations people in both Australia and New Zealand to empower their people and communities to improve their wellbeing. We support our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia and Maori people in New Zealand/Aotearoa and acknowledge the beauty, strength and uniqueness in their people and cultures. We celebrate their diversity and acknowledge that we work, walk and talk on your lands and we thank and pay yindyamarra/whakaute/respect to your ancestors, Elders and people. Our association will work to continue to amplify voices and empower communities to improve the mental health within First Nations people in both countries.