Dinner & Dialogue

On Tuesday evening, The Mondrian in Burleigh Heads served as the venue for the Dinner & Dialogue: Tackling Addiction and Persistent Pain symposium. This educational event convened general practitioners, medical specialists, registrars, and allied health clinicians for a structured evening of interdisciplinary learning and professional exchange. The program focused on contemporary approaches to managing addiction and chronic pain—two complex and increasingly prevalent challenges in clinical practice. 

Each table featured a guided discussion led by a member of Currumbin Clinic’s expert panel, offering attendees the opportunity to explore key topics in depth: 

Discussion 1: Opioid Use Disorder 
Dr Hemant Khanna, Psychiatrist 
Explored the role of long-acting partial opioid agonist therapy and how to assess patient suitability for daily or extended-release formulations as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. 

Discussion 2: Bridging Physical Health and Addiction in Complex Cases 
Dr Lisa Shelley, Addiction Medicine Physician and General Physician 
Highlighted key comorbidities, such as endocrine disorders, that affect pain and addiction care, and outlined appropriate referral pathways. 

Discussion 3: Physical Rehabilitation as a Pathway to Recovery 
Lachlan Townend, Physiotherapist 
Focused on non-pharmacological strategies to manage chronic pain and improve functional outcomes in patients with a history of addiction. 

Discussion 4: Innovative and Holistic Strategies in Pain and Addiction Care 
Dr Marcus Gurgius, Pain Specialist 
Presented evidence-based psychological and physical therapies that can be used in general practice to support patients with chronic pain and addiction. 

During the evening, we were also proud to introduce the launch of the Currumbin Mind + Body Clinic—a purpose-built outpatient hub designed to deliver coordinated, holistic care across psychiatry, psychology, dietetics, and physiotherapy. This new clinic offers a seamless care pathway for individuals seeking early intervention, follow-up after hospital admission, or specialised support for trauma, addiction, persistent pain, and mood disorders. 

In addition, we announced the launch of our new Trauma Program, which provides targeted, evidence-based treatment for individuals recovering from trauma, including veterans, first responders, and others impacted by PTSD. This program integrates psychological therapies with physical and lifestyle support to promote long-term recovery and resilience. 

We extend our heartfelt thanks to our expert panel for sharing their knowledge and to all attendees for their thoughtful contributions and engagement throughout the evening. 

A special thank you to our sponsor, Indivior, for supporting this important initiative and helping to foster meaningful dialogue and professional development. 

We look forward to continuing these conversations and working together to improve outcomes for individuals living with addiction, trauma, and persistent pain.