Development of a residential rehabilitation model for co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders in a regional Australian setting

About the research project

Residential rehabilitation programs for substance use disorders demonstrate variable effectiveness, benefiting some participants while presenting limitations for others (Mutschler et al., 2022; Vilsaint et al., 2025). Substance use disorders commonly co-occur with mental health disorders, creating both challenges and opportunities for the delivery of effective treatment programs (Scott & Gorey, 2025; Otasowie, 2021).

Integrated approaches that address mental health and substance use concurrently are increasingly recognised as best practice for people with co-occurring disorders (Chetty et al., 2023). Treatment outcomes may be enhanced when programs are individualised and person-centred, incorporating evidence-based interventions such as therapeutic relationship building, coping-skills development, and relapse-prevention strategies (Mutschler et al., 2022). Client, clinician, and organisational factors all influence treatment outcomes, highlighting the importance of comprehensive implementation frameworks (Louie et al., 2021).

Despite growing support for integrated, person-centred treatment approaches (Queensland Health, 2021; Victorian Government, 2022), Australia lacks a clearly defined model of care to optimise outcomes for people with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders, particularly within regional and rural contexts (Vilsaint et al., 2025). This gap highlights the need to develop and evaluate a model of care that can guide residential rehabilitation services across Australia.

Research incorporating mixed methods (Scott & Gorey, 2025) and lived-experience perspectives may be essential to the development of an effective and contextually relevant model of care (Davis et al., 2020). The proposed study will employ a mixed-methods evaluation, informed by Participatory Action Research principles to develop, implement, and evaluate a residential rehabilitation program for people with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. Participation will be sought from key service-user and provider stakeholders associated with a regional Australian residential rehabilitation setting. The resulting model of care will underpin the program and inform best practice in residential rehabilitation more broadly.

Note: reference list available upon request

Primary supervisor

Meet Doctor David Lees

Funding

Applicants will self fund their studies, no Living Allowance scholarship is available for this project.

If successful, international applicants may receive a University of Tasmania Fees Offset for up to four years.

Other funding opportunities and fees

For further information regarding other scholarships on offer, and the various fees for undertaking a research degree, please visit our Scholarships and fees on research degrees page.

Eligibility

Applicants should review the Higher Degree by Research minimum entry requirements.

Ensure your eligibility for the scholarship round by referring to our Key Dates.

Additional eligibility criteria specific to this project/scholarship:

• English language score must be above minimum entry requirements for this project.

Selection criteria

The project is competitively assessed and awarded. Selection is based on academic merit and suitability to the project as determined by the College.

Additional essential selection criteria specific to this project:

• Excellent interpersonal, communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Demonstrated experience or knowledge in mental health care and/or alcohol and other drug (AOD) services.

Additional desirable selection criteria specific to this project:

• Experience in qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-methods research.

Application process

1. Select your project, and check that you meet the eligibility and selection criteria, including citizenship;
2. Contact Doctor David Lees to discuss your suitability and the project's requirements; and
3. In your application:
   • Copy and paste the title of the project from this advertisement into your application. If you don’t correctly do this your application may be rejected.
   • Submit a signed supervisory support form, a CV including contact details of 2 referees and your project research proposal.
4. Apply prior to 31 December 2026.

Full details of the application process can be found under the ' How to apply ' section of the Research Degrees website.

Following the closing date applications will be assessed within the College. Applicants should expect to receive notification of the outcome by email by the advertised outcome date.

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