The service has joined the Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association in urging more support for regional providers.

UnitingCare alcohol and other drug program manager Peter Cranage said the situation was even worse in the west of the state, especially in Horsham and Stawell.

"Workers in regional areas are expected to have a greater knowledge base, unlike in metropolitan areas where they have access to a wider range of services," Mr Cranage said.

"We're expected to have much more in our toolbox."

He said there was a lack of funding for prevention programs, particularly for youth drug and alcohol services in schools.

Rehabilitation services were under pressure, and UnitingCare's Tabor House, which caters for youths between 12 and 21, has a waiting list of several months.

He said the only adult withdrawal unit in the region was at Bendigo, leaving Ballarat, Horsham, Stawell and Ararat under-resourced.

"The feedback from a lot of adult support workers is that they need more funding in supporting their clients.

"We also need more supported accommodation properties for drug and alcohol clients. We have eight in this region and they're always full."

Mr Cranage said money was needed to help deal with alcohol-related violence.

"People are all talking about it, but we need funding."

He said that although Ballarat's alcohol and drug services worked well together, the pressures on the workforce were increasing.

"We're dealing with more complex issues all the time."

Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association executive officer Sam Biondo said in a submission to the 2010-11 state budget that there were service gaps across the system.

"Chronic under-investment has left many services stretched," Mr Biondo said.