Rehab Sydney: Drug & Alcohol Rehabilitation in Sydney, NSW

Looking for drug or alcohol rehab in Sydney? This directory lists the major residential, hospital-based and therapeutic-community rehabs operating across greater Sydney and regional NSW. Use the carousel to scan your options, then open any rehab for full details — program length, capacity, what’s treated, therapies used, detox support, aftercare and contact information.

Every entry is built from publicly available information and published service descriptions. Availability, fees and clinical offerings change — always confirm current details with the provider directly.

Addiction in New South Wales

What the Data Tells Us About Sydney

Alcohol and amphetamines remain the dominant reasons New South Walesns enter drug and alcohol treatment. Understanding the local picture can help you choose the right level of care.

AOD Treatment Episodes

35,000+ / yr

Approximate closed alcohol and other drug treatment episodes recorded in NSW each year by publicly funded services (AIHW AODTS data).

Adults Drinking at Risky Levels

~1 in 5

New South Welsh adults estimated to consume alcohol at levels exceeding the NHMRC lifetime risk guidelines (National Drug Strategy Household Survey).

Stimulants in Sydney

Above avg.

Sydney has consistently recorded higher cocaine and MDMA wastewater readings than most other Australian capital cities in recent national reports.

Primary Drug of Concern — NSW Treatment Episodes

Alcohol 36%

Amphetamines / Meth 28%

Cannabis 18%

Heroin / Opioids 8%

Other substances 10%

Approximate share of NSW alcohol and other drug treatment episodes by client’s nominated primary drug of concern. Source: AIHW, Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment Services National Minimum Data Set (most recent published year).

Types of Rehab Available in Sydney

Sydney’s addiction treatment landscape covers four main models. Therapeutic communities — such as Cyrenian House and Palmerston — offer long-stay residential programs built around peer-led recovery, group work, counselling and reintegration. Faith-based residentials like Shalom House and Pindari combine long-term accommodation with Christian-framed step work. Hospital-based programs — Ramsay Clinic Hollywood privately, Next Step publicly — focus on medically supervised detox and structured day treatment. Youth-specific services such as DAYS provide age-appropriate withdrawal and rehabilitation for adolescents.

Public vs Private Rehab in Sydney

NSW Health funds the public detox and rehab pathway via hospital units and community-based programs. Not-for-profit rehabs including Odyssey House and Salvation Army William Booth House sit in the middle, with modest fortnightly fees and Centrelink flexibility. Private residentials charge substantially more — often thousands per day for the luxury end — and may attract some private health insurance rebate for medically supervised detox. Waiting times across Sydney have grown since 2023 as demand for treatment has risen nationally.

Self-Check

Do I Need Rehab? A Brief Self-Assessment

Six quick yes/no questions based on widely used screening principles (CAGE and AUDIT). Your answers are scored in your browser only — nothing is saved or sent. This is educational, not a clinical diagnosis.

1. Have you felt you should cut down on your drinking or drug use? No Yes

2. Has anyone close to you expressed concern about your substance use? No Yes

3. Have you felt guilty about your drinking or drug use? No Yes

4. Have you ever needed a drink or drug first thing in the morning to settle your nerves or get going? No Yes

5. Has your substance use affected your work, studies or relationships? No Yes

6. Have you tried to quit or cut back without lasting success? No Yes

See my result Reset

Not a clinical screen. If in crisis, call Lifeline 13 11 14.

0/ 6 indicators flagged

Low concern

Your answers suggest relatively low risk. Keep monitoring — if anything changes, speak to your GP.

Speak with our admissions team

Support Directory

New South Wales Addiction Resources

Nine trusted services supporting people in Sydney and across NSW — for immediate help, ongoing peer support, family members, and young people. If you’re in crisis, contact 000 or Lifeline on 13 11 14 right away.

24 / 7

ADIS — NSW Alcohol and Drug Information Service

Free, confidential 24-hour telephone support, information and counselling for anyone in NSW affected by alcohol or drug use.

1800 250 015 Govt

Your Room (NSW Health)

NSW Health’s central hub for alcohol and other drug information, treatment options and referral — including youth and family resources.

yourroom.health.nsw.gov.au Peak body

NADA

Network of Alcohol and other Drugs Agencies — the peak body for NSW non-government AOD services, with a searchable provider directory.

nada.org.au Family

Family Drug Support Australia

24-hour telephone support and peer groups for families and friends of people with drug and alcohol problems. Based in NSW with national reach.

1300 368 186 Peer

Alcoholics Anonymous (Sydney)

Free peer-led 12-step fellowship for people who want to stop drinking. Multiple daily in-person and online meetings across Sydney and regional NSW.

aa.org.au Peer

Narcotics Anonymous (Sydney)

Free peer-led 12-step fellowship for people recovering from any drug addiction. Meetings across Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong and regional NSW.

na.org.au Family

Al-Anon Family Groups

Free peer support for families and friends of people with alcohol problems. NSW meetings in person and online; no religious affiliation required.

al-anon.org.au Youth

headspace (NSW centres)

Free, early intervention mental health support for young people aged 12–25 with centres across Sydney metro and regional NSW, including AOD counselling.

headspace.org.au Crisis

Lifeline

National 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention helpline. Phone, text and online chat options for anyone in emotional distress.

13 11 14

Considering a Residential Rehab Outside Sydney?

Many Sydney residents travel interstate or internationally for rehab. Distance from triggers, total privacy from workplace and social circles, and a genuinely restorative environment are often part of clinical success — particularly for professionals, executives and anyone in the public eye.

Bali Beginnings is a small residential drug and alcohol rehab centre in Bali, set up specifically for Australians. We take up to eight clients at any one time. Clinician-led one-to-one therapy, private villas, nutritionist meals, daily yoga, a 24/7 support team. The programmes run 28, 60 or 90 days from AUD $34,900. A lot of clients say the physical distance, the small cohort and the setting is what finally made recovery stick for them.

Explore our residential programs Speak to our admissions team

Logistics

Travelling to Bali from Sydney

Sydney sits further from Bali than the western capitals, but direct flights still land in roughly six hours — less than a flight to Perth. The small time difference means minimal jet lag, and with multiple direct carriers competing on the route, return economy fares stay accessible for most budgets.

Plan your arrival with our team

~6 h 10 m

Direct flight time

~5,450 km

SYD → DPS distance

UTC +8 / +10

2–3 h behind Sydney

$550–$1,100

Return economy (AUD)

5+ airlines

Direct SYD–DPS carriers

VoA 30 days

Visa on arrival for Aussies

Frequently Asked Questions: Rehab in Sydney

How much does rehab cost in Sydney?

Costs in Sydney vary widely. Public and community services are free to low-cost (a few hundred dollars per fortnight for residential programs). Faith-based and not-for-profit rehabs sit in a similar range. Private residentials run from several thousand dollars per week to $8,000+ per week at the luxury end, often with some private health insurance rebate for detox. Premium overseas residential programs in Bali typically start above AUD $30,000 for a four-week stay.

Does Medicare cover drug and alcohol rehab in Sydney?

Medicare covers GP and specialist consultations related to substance use, but does not cover the cost of residential rehabilitation. Public NSW Health services are funded directly. Private health insurance may contribute to inpatient detox at hospital-based services in Sydney. Most residential rehab fees are paid privately.

How long is the typical rehab program in Sydney?

Program length varies with the model. Medical detox ranges from five days to two weeks. Day programs typically run four to eight weeks. Therapeutic communities are commonly six to twelve months. Private residential programs run 28 days to 12 weeks. Most clinicians consider 60 to 90 days the minimum stay for sustained change.

Can I use my super to pay for rehab in Sydney?

Early release of superannuation on compassionate grounds is possible for addiction treatment in some cases, subject to ATO approval. A number of Sydney private rehabs (and our Bali program) accept super release as part of their payment options. You would need to apply directly through the ATO and arrange release before admission.

What’s the difference between residential rehab and a day program?

Residential rehab means living on-site for the duration of your program, removed from day-to-day triggers. Day programs mean attending therapy for part of the week (often two to three days) while sleeping at home. Residential is considered more effective for severe or long-standing addictions; day programs work well as step-down or for less severe presentations.

What substances are most commonly treated in Sydney rehabs?

Alcohol remains the most common primary drug of concern in NSW, followed by amphetamines and methamphetamine. Cocaine, heroin and other opioids, cannabis, and prescription medication misuse make up the balance. Sydney rehabs tend to see higher cocaine presentations than other Australian cities. Most Sydney residential programs accept clients with any of these primary substances and all treat polydrug use.

Can family visit me during a residential rehab program?

Visiting policies vary. Most therapeutic communities restrict visits during the first 2–4 weeks so new residents can settle and detox, then allow scheduled weekend visits. Faith-based programs often include structured family days. Hospital-based detox typically allows daily short visits. Premium residential programs in Bali usually invite family involvement in structured family therapy sessions during weeks three and four.

Are there dual-diagnosis rehabs in Sydney?

Most Sydney rehabs are equipped to support clients with co-occurring mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, PTSD or bipolar disorder. Hospital-based and private residential settings typically offer the tightest psychiatric oversight. Severe or unstable mental health conditions may require stabilisation before residential admission.

What happens after I finish a residential program?

Every quality rehab includes aftercare planning. Typical components include weekly group counselling for 6–12 months, 12-step or SMART Recovery meeting referrals, relapse prevention plans, GP and specialist links, and sober-living or transitional housing referrals for clients without a stable home environment. Continuity in the first 90 days after discharge is the strongest predictor of sustained recovery.

How quickly can I get into a Sydney rehab?

Waiting times vary significantly. Public detox in NSW Health units can have waits of several weeks. Not-for-profit therapeutic communities often have assessment queues of 4–10 weeks. Private detox is usually available within 1–2 weeks with insurance or private payment. Premium residential programs such as Bali Beginnings can typically accept admissions within 7–14 days, which matters when urgency is a clinical factor.