Addictions Psychiatry

Working in Addictions Psychiatry at GMMH

Addictions Psychiatry at Greater Manchester Mental Health offers Consultants the opportunity to work in a specialist, high-impact field supporting individuals with complex drug and alcohol use disorders across both community and inpatient settings.

Our community-based Achieve services operate across Salford, Trafford and Bury, providing assessment, treatment and recovery-focused interventions for people experiencing a wide range of substance use difficulties. These include opiates, cocaine, stimulants, sedatives, prescription medications, novel psychoactive substances and ketamine, as well as alcohol dependence. Consultants work with individuals whose addiction often co-exists with significant physical health conditions, mental health needs and social vulnerabilities which requires skilled, holistic and evidence-based care.

In addition to community provision, we provide specialist inpatient addiction services at the Chapman Barker Unit, delivering medically managed detoxification and stabilisation for individuals with complex addiction and associated physical and mental health problems. The unit is the largest inpatient addiction service in the NHS, receiving referrals from across the North of England and nationally. A unique feature of our service is RADAR, an award-winning pathway supporting patients presenting to A&E across Greater Manchester who require alcohol detoxification. This innovative model enhances patient safety, reduces unnecessary admissions and strengthens integration between acute hospitals and specialist addiction services.

Addictions services at GMMH are recognised nationally for their specialist expertise. The service has been rated Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), reflecting high standards of clinical care, leadership and governance. We are recognised experts in the field of addictions and have strong research activity, contributing to evidence-based practice and service innovation. Our teams are specialist-trained and experienced in managing complex patient cohorts, with a strong emphasis on integrating physical and mental healthcare.

Service Strengths and Team Culture

Consultants work alongside highly skilled multidisciplinary teams comprising of Nurses, Psychologists, Therapists, Pharmacists, Social Workers and more. Multidisciplinary collaboration is central to how we work, ensuring that care is comprehensive, compassionate and recovery oriented.

The culture within the team is supportive, inclusive and flexible. There is a strong ethos of going the extra mile for patients, with a commitment to delivering evidence-based interventions while adapting to individual needs. Consultants are part of a collegial and well-established group who meet regularly, including bespoke CPA meetings each month, creating a strong peer support network. There is also a clear emphasis on staff development and innovation, with opportunities to expand into emerging areas such as gambling and gaming addictions, ketamine use and other evolving substance-related harms.

Opportunities for Consultants

Consultants in Addictions Psychiatry have meaningful opportunities to shape service development and innovation. The service is currently going through a new contract, with new pathways in development including cancer pathways for patients with substance use disorders, FibroScan pathways for liver disease assessment, and enhanced ketamine treatment pathways.

Consultants are actively encouraged to lead quality improvement initiatives, audit projects and service redesign work. There are strong research opportunities, with scope to develop academic interests and contribute to national conversations in addiction medicine. The patient group is often complex and clinically challenging, offering continuous professional development and the opportunity to develop new skills and specialist interests.

New Consultants are welcomed into a supportive and experienced consultant body. There are regular multidisciplinary team meetings, monthly addictions-focused CPD sessions and access to colleagues who are committed to mentoring and professional development. Consultants benefit from working within a cohesive, specialist team environment where collaboration is integral. Regular peer discussions and structured case reviews support safe, reflective practice.

Addictions Psychiatry at GMMH offers the opportunity to make a tangible difference in people’s lives. Consultants work with individuals at critical points of change, supporting recovery journeys that can transform long-term health and wellbeing. For Consultants seeking a specialist, innovative and highly impactful role within a nationally recognised service, Addictions Psychiatry at GMMH offers an exceptional and rewarding career pathway.