Accessing alcohol and drug treatment services after an assessment

Access to alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment is an important part of reducing the harms associated with alcohol and drug use, as recognised in Australia’s National Drug Strategy 2017–2026 (Department of Health and Aged Care 2019a). AOD treatment often involves multiple episodes of care spanning several years and is often “stepped up” or “stepped down” in intensity depending on people’s individual needs over time (Department of Health and Aged Care 2019b).

What is an alcohol and drug treatment assessment?

Assessment is often a crucial first step in AOD treatment, clients are assessed by a treatment provider to identify clients’ needs and goals, develop treatment plans and match clients to appropriate support services (Department of Health and Aged Care 2019b). It can also occur at other times during a client’s treatment journey as an early intervention, to help identify and target emerging or risky AOD use. Australia’s National Framework for Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Treatment 2019–2029 states that assessment should be ongoing, as it helps to ensure that treatment aligns with people’s needs and goals throughout their treatment journey.

Why is it important to know whether people receive an assessment only episode?

An ‘Assessment only’ episode is when the client has been assessed and there was no other treatment provided during that episode, such as clinical treatment or other interventions. This usually means the service focused on assessing the person’s needs, addressed any immediate risks, help set goals and plan the next steps, and made referrals where necessary. ‘Assessment only’ episodes can happen for various reasons, such as service availability, state and territory treatment practices, referral pathways, or whether the person chooses to continue with treatment.

From the client perspective, AOD treatment depends on the person’s needs at assessment. Highlighting it may serve as the first motivating step to entering further treatment. People access AOD treatment for various reasons, including concern for their own wellbeing or others, pressure from family or friends, or requirements related to employment or legal/court-orders or involuntary treatment which is rare.

An assessment alone may not be enough to address longer-term harms associated with alcohol and other drug use, and therefore for some clients, further treatment is required.

Why is it important to know if people who are assessed go on to receive further treatment?

In 2023, it was estimated that between 753,000 and 1.3 million people in Australia met the criteria for a substance use disorder. It was also estimated that between 30% and 48% of this population would seek and benefit from AOD treatment. This results in a potential treatment population of about 407,000 to 668,000 people. However, only around 199,000 people were estimated to have received AOD treatment in Australia in 2023 (Ritter and O’Reilly 2025).

These estimates suggest that many people who could benefit from AOD treatment may not be receiving it. It is important to make the most of available data to know what happens after an ‘Assessment only’ episode as it shows whether people are being connected to further treatment when they need it.

What is the purpose of this report?

In this report, continuity of AOD treatment following an assessment is examined to identify factors that may help to engage clients assessed as needing further treatment, and how quickly people can access further treatment. This information can inform service planning and help improve continuity of care.

This analysis looks at how people who received an ‘Assessment only’ accessed specialist alcohol and drug services between 2018–19 and 2023–24. It aims to answer:

• What is happening with trends in ‘Assessment only’ episodes?
• Who received an ‘Assessment only’ treatment?
• Who goes on to receive further treatment and who did not?
• What factors support further treatment?
• How long does it take to access further treatment?