Inquiry into the Health Impacts of Alcohol and Other Drug Use in Australia - Submission 100

Oct 6, 2026

Uploaded by ahduag

Submission 100 addresses the health impacts of alcohol and other drug use in Australia and proposes a new recovery approach using Dungeons & Dragons as a therapeutic, peer-support tool. The submission argues the program can be equitable and accessible in urban and rural settings, low-cost to run, and scalable with minimal upfront investment. It also claims role-play, storytelling, and creativity can support emotional expression, resilience, neuroplasticity, relapse prevention, and better outcomes for individuals, families, and society. Additional clauses discuss potential harm reduction and applicability beyond the health sector.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages9

Reading Time23 min

AccessFree to download

Clause "a": Equity, Value for Money, and Best Outcomes

Equity of Access

Value for Money

Best Outcomes for Individuals, Families, and Society

Additional Clauses Addressed

Clause b

Clause c

Clause d

Conclusion

Inquiry into the health impacts of alcohol and other drugs in Australia Submission 100 Submission to the Inquiry by House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care, and Sport Inquiry into the Health Impacts of Alcohol and Other Drug Use in Australia. To the Committee, I am writing as someone who has experienced addiction and recovery firsthand, and I want to share an idea that has the potential to reshape how we approach addiction recovery in Australia. This program, which uses Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) as a therapeutic tool, is a brand-new concept. To the best of my knowledge, no program like this has been trialled anywhere in the world. But it should be. The possibilities are endless when you combine creativity, peer support, and role-playing games to help people overcome their addiction. Clause "a": Equity, Value for Money, and Best Outcomes D&D is just one of many role-playing games. I’m using “the simplest terms, and the most convenient definitions,”. Any imaginary world is usable. From sci-fi dytopias (or utopias), to high fanatasy, or child friendly cartoon. Every narrative imageable is either a published game or is in production. What is key is that that it could be adapted to create a world of recovery, designed specifically for a small group, to reflect the challenges, strengths, and hopes of people battling addiction. As individuals in a small party. This isn’t about making the game itself the solution—it’s about using the storytelling and creativity within the game to unlock new ways to heal, structured but infinitely flexible. Equity of Access One of the reasons this program has so much potential is because it’s accessible to everyone. Not everyone feels comfortable walking into a traditional treatment centre. For some, those environments are intimidating or don’t feel like a good fit. In this program, however, we would create a space where people can feel safe, creative, and heard. Playing a character allows participants to step into themselves as beginning a hero’s journey, explore difficult emotions, and find ways to express themselves that might be impossible in a more formal setting. And because D&D requires very little in the way of physical resources, this could work in urban and rural areas alike. All you need is a table, some dice, and a willingness to participate. The game even provides a tangible reason to attend next week, is my character going to survive? On-going participation is a struggle in most addiction therapies, and it is often the feeling of not wanting to let the group down, that your participation in helping others, is what keeps people coming back. My feeling is that it creates an accessible, equitable program that could reach people who are often overlooked by more traditional services. Value for Money The potential cost-effectiveness of this program is another key benefit. A D&D-based peer support model would be inexpensive to run, relying on a facilitator and peer engagement rather than or in conjuction with high-cost medical interventions. The program’s difference and power lies in the way people come together, supporting each other through the Inquiry into the health impacts of alcohol and other drugs in Australia Submission 100 storytelling process, which mirrors their real-life recovery journeys. They grow. They learn. They “level up”. This is a scalable, low-cost model that could be implemented with minimal upfront investment while delivering real value in terms of improved mental health and social outcomes. For those of us in recovery, sometimes just having the space to explore our emotions and share them with others is at least as valuable than formal clinical support. Best Outcomes for Individuals, Families, and Society My lived experience is that creativity plays a huge role in recovery. In Your Brain on Art, Ivy Ross and Susan Magsamen (2023) explain how creative activities actually change the brain. These activities boost neur

FAQs

What recovery program is proposed in this submission?

The submission proposes using Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) as a therapeutic tool and peer-support model to help people overcome addiction through storytelling, creativity, and role-playing.

How does the submission argue the program supports equity of access?

It emphasizes that participants may not feel comfortable in traditional treatment centres, while the game can provide a safer, creative, and heard space. It also notes that D&D needs minimal physical resources and can work in both urban and rural areas.

Which additional areas does the submission claim the approach could address?

It states the program may reduce harms by helping people rehearse strategies for triggers and stress, and that it could extend to schools, justice programs, and social services beyond the health sector. It also links the concept to international peer-support and creative therapy elements.

Oct 6, 2026

Uploaded by ahduag