Brisbane-based addiction medicine
specialist, with a whole-person
approach to recovery.
Dr Douglas Brown is a Brisbane-based Addiction Medicine Specialist who provides compassionate, evidence-based care for alcohol, drug and behavioural addictions.
He provides specialist assessment and treatment for alcohol use disorder, opioid dependence, stimulant use, cannabis-related problems, benzodiazepine and prescription medication dependence, relapse prevention, and withdrawal planning. He also has a particular interest in gambling disorder and behavioural addictions. Douglas completed advanced training at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital along with Caboolture Hospital, gaining experience in both inpatient and outpatient addiction medicine. He is a Fellow of the Australasian Chapter of Addiction Medicine of the Royal Australasian College of Physician.
Douglas is also a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, bringing a broad whole-person medical perspective to addiction care. His background includes general practice, hospital-based addiction medicine, Defence health, occupational medicine and aviation medicine.
He previously served full-time as an Aviation Medical Officer in the Royal Australian Air Force and continues to serve in the Air Force Reserve in a senior primary health leadership role, contributing to clinical governance, policy and alcohol and other drug-related work with the Australian Defence Force. This experience has shaped a practical and structured approach to care, with attention to physical health, mental health, medication safety, occupational functioning, family circumstances and long-term recovery goals.
He consults privately in Brisbane and has admitting rights for inpatient detoxification and day programs at Damascus Health Service, located at Brisbane Private Hospital.
Douglas also maintains an active public addiction medicine practice, working as a staff specialist at Queensland Health, alongside academic appointments as an Honorary Adjunct Assistant Professor at Bond University and Honorary Lecturer at the University of Queensland.
His aim is to provide care that is compassionate, clear, non-judgemental and grounded in evidence.
Specialist assessment and treatment for substance use and behavioural concerns.
Every plan is tailored to your circumstances — combining medical assessment, medication options, withdrawal and relapse-prevention planning, and coordination with your existing care
Alcohol
Withdrawal planning, relapse prevention, medication options and long-term recovery support
Opioids
Prescription and illicit opioid dependence, withdrawal management, treatment options and overdose-risk reduction.
Benzodiazepines & Sedatives
Dependence, withdrawal risk, gradual reduction plans and safer prescribing advice.
Stimulants
Methamphetamine, cocaine and related stimulant use — dependence, cravings, sleep, mood and harm-reduction support
Cannabis
Daily use, dependence, withdrawal, sleep, anxiety, motivation and reduction planning
Gambling & Behavioural Addictions
Gambling disorder, gaming, internet use, compulsive spending and other behaviours causing loss of control, distress or impairment.
Complex Addiction Care
Addiction alongside mental health concerns, chronic pain, trauma, sleep problems, prescribed medications or medical complexity.
Independent Medical & Occupational Assessments
Fitness for work, prescribing risk, driving and CASA concerns, professional obligations and independent reports.
Your first appointment.
A careful, confidential and non-judgemental conversation to understand your situation and build a plan that suits you.
What will we talk about?
The first consultation is a chance to understand your situation in a careful and non-judgemental way. This may include:
- What has brought you to the appointment
- Alcohol, drug, medication, gambling or behavioural concerns
- Physical health and mental health history
- Current medications and previous treatments
- Sleep, mood, anxiety, pain and trauma
- Work, family, legal, financial or relationship impacts
- Previous detoxification, rehabilitation or counselling
- Your goals for treatment and recovery
How long does it run?
The first consultation usually runs for approximately 45 to 60 minutes. This allows time to understand your concerns, medical history, current medications, substance use or behavioural concerns, and what you would like help with.
Follow-up appointments are usually shorter and focus on reviewing progress, treatment planning, medications, risk, goals and next steps.
Exact location & access details are provided when your appointment is confirmed.
The aim is to develop a practical treatment plan that suits your circumstances – which may include medication options, withdrawal planning, relapse prevention, harm reduction, further investigations, referrals, or communication with your GP and other treating clinicians.
Common questions
about treatment.
If your question isn’t here, send a private enquiry – no obligation to book.
Addiction medicine is a medical specialty focused on the assessment and treatment of alcohol, drug, medication and behavioural addictions.
It considers the whole person — including physical health, mental health, medication safety, withdrawal symptoms, relapse risk, family and work circumstances, and long-term recovery goals. Treatment may include medical assessment, medication options, withdrawal planning, relapse prevention, harm reduction, counselling supports, and coordination with your GP or other treating clinicians.
A referral is preferred, especially if you would like to access Medicare rebates or if you have a complex medical history.
A referral from your GP or another medical specialist can also help provide important background information, including your current medications, past treatments, mental health history and relevant blood tests or investigations.
You can still make an enquiry before you have a referral, and the practice can advise what is needed before your appointment.
Yes. Your care is treated confidentially and respectfully.
Information is not shared with family members, employers or other parties without your consent, except in situations where disclosure is legally required or necessary to manage a serious risk to your safety or someone else’s safety.
With your permission, communication with your GP or other treating clinicians can help make your care safer and better coordinated.
Dr Brown provides assessment and treatment for a range of substance use and addictive disorders, including alcohol, opioids, benzodiazepines and sedatives, stimulants, cannabis, prescribed medication dependence, and relapse prevention after detoxification or rehabilitation.
He also has a particular interest in gambling disorder and behavioural addictions, including gaming, internet use, compulsive spending and related concerns where there is loss of control, distress or impairment.
Relapse can happen and does not mean treatment has failed.
The aim is to understand what contributed to the relapse, reduce immediate harm, review medication and supports, and adjust the treatment plan. Treatment is provided in a non-judgemental way, with a focus on safety, learning, relapse prevention and long-term recovery.
Treatment length varies depending on your goals, the substance or behaviour involved, medical complexity, withdrawal risk, mental health, and the level of support you already have.
Some people attend for a focused assessment and treatment plan. Others benefit from ongoing review over weeks or months, particularly where medication treatment, withdrawal planning, relapse prevention or coordination with other clinicians is needed.
Yes. You do not need to be certain that you have an addiction before seeking advice.
Many people book because they are concerned about their alcohol, drug, medication, gambling or other behaviour and want a confidential medical opinion. The first consultation can help clarify what is happening, whether treatment is needed, and what options are available.
Yes. Dr Brown can provide withdrawal assessment and planning, including advice about whether detoxification is appropriate and what setting is safest.
Some people may be suitable for outpatient withdrawal planning, while others may require inpatient detoxification depending on the substance involved, medical risks, mental health, previous withdrawal history and home supports.
Dr Brown has admitting rights for inpatient detoxification and day programs at Damascus Health Service, located at Brisbane Private Hospital.
Yes. You are welcome to bring a trusted family member, partner or support person if you feel comfortable. This can be helpful for understanding your situation, planning support and improving safety. Your privacy and consent remain central to the consultation.
Yes. Dr Brown welcomes enquiries from veterans, current-serving Defence personnel and DVA patients.
A GP or specialist referral is recommended. If you are seeking care through DVA, reception can advise what information is needed before your appointment and whether DVA arrangements may apply.
Make a confidential enquiry.
Dr Douglas Brown accepts enquiries from patients, families, GPs, medical specialists, allied health clinicians and other referring professionals.
A GP or specialist referral is recommended, particularly if you wish to access Medicare rebates or have a complex medical history. You can still make an enquiry before a referral has been arranged, and reception can advise what is needed before your appointment.
Outpatient consultations are usually held at Dr Brown’s consulting room in Spring Hill. Inpatient detoxification and day program care can be arranged throughout the week at Damascus Health Service, located at Brisbane Private Hospital, where clinically appropriate and subject to availability.
Urgent concerns
This website and enquiry form are not monitored for urgent or emergency care.
If you are in immediate danger, experiencing a medical emergency, at risk of overdose, severe withdrawal, seizures, confusion, or serious self-harm, call 000 or attend your nearest emergency department.
Send us a referral via
reception@drdouglasbrown.com.auSeeking help for yourself
You are welcome to make an enquiry if you are concerned about alcohol, drugs, prescribed medications, gambling or other addictive behaviours. You do not need to be certain that you have an addiction before seeking advice.
A support person, partner or family member may attend with you if you would find this helpful.
Fees and rebates
Fees vary depending on the type and complexity of appointment.
A valid referral may allow access to Medicare rebates for eligible consultations. Reception can provide fee information before confirming an appointment.
Inpatient detoxification and day programs
Dr Brown has admitting rights for inpatient detoxification and day programs at Damascus Health Service, located at Brisbane Private Hospital.
Admission suitability depends on clinical assessment, the substance involved, medical and mental health risks, home supports, private health insurance arrangements and bed availability.
Making a referral
Referrals are welcome for specialist assessment and treatment planning related to substance use, prescribed medication dependence, withdrawal planning, relapse prevention, medication options, inpatient detoxification, day programs, gambling disorder, behavioural addictions, and complex addiction care.
Helpful referral information includes the reason for referral, current medications, relevant substance use or behavioural concerns, medical and mental health history, previous treatment or detoxification, risk concerns, and any specific questions you would like addressed.
Unsure if it's a problem? You can still book.
You don’t need to be certain you have an addiction before seeking advice. A careful, confidential assessment can help clarify what’s happening and what options are available.
Supporting those who serve.
Dr Brown welcomes referrals and enquiries from veterans, current-serving Defence personnel and DVA patients seeking support for alcohol, drug, prescribed medication or behavioural addiction concerns.
His background in Defence health, aviation medicine, occupational medicine and addiction medicine informs a practical approach to care, with attention to mental health, physical health, medication safety, occupational functioning, family circumstances and long-term recovery.
DVA arrangements and referral requirements can be discussed with reception before confirming an appointment.
Recognised specialist training.
Fellow of the Australasian College of Addiction Medicine
Dr Brown holds Fellowship of the Australasian Chapter of Addiction Medicine (FAChAM – Royal Australasian College of Physicians) and Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (FRACGP).
Make an enquiry.
A referral from your GP or another medical specialist is recommended and may allow access to Medicare rebates. Send us a message via email and reception will be in touch. If you have any questions please contact us via telephone.
33 North Street, Spring Hill, 4000, Brisbane
07 3180 6020
Other times by arrangement
Helps coordinate care & access Medicare rebates
Inpatient detoxification and day program care can be arranged throughout the week, where clinically appropriate and subject to availability