Medical detoxification
supervised withdrawal, often with medication to prevent serious complications
TREATMENT BY SUBSTANCE
Alcohol Rehabilitation & Treatment in Australia
Alcohol use disorder is one of the most common addictions in Australia, affecting more than 1 in 5 people who drink. The good news is that evidence-based treatment works — and help is more accessible than many people realise.
Signs of alcohol dependence
- Drinking more than intended or for longer than planned
- Unsuccessful attempts to cut down or stop drinking
- Spending significant time obtaining, using or recovering from alcohol
- Continued drinking despite negative impacts on relationships or work
- Tolerance — needing more alcohol to achieve the same effect
- Withdrawal symptoms when not drinking (shaking, sweating, anxiety)
WHAT TREATMENT LOOKS LIKE
Options for alcohol addiction.
Residential rehabilitation
intensive 28–90 day programs with structured therapy and peer support
Outpatient programs
day or evening sessions allowing people to continue living at home
Counselling and psychotherapy
CBT, motivational interviewing, relapse prevention
Pharmacotherapy
medications such as naltrexone or acamprosate to reduce cravings
Peer support groups
AA, SMART Recovery and other community-based programs
LISTED SERVICES
Providers treating alcohol
Box Hill, VIC
1 East
1 East is an eight-bed inpatient withdrawal unit operated by Turning Point within Box Hill Hospital. Turning Point states it provides high quality medical and nursing support for patients withdrawing from alcohol or other drugs, for stays of up to seven days. The service is free.
Private rooms onlyWyndham, WA
7 Mile
7 Mile Rehabilitation Centre is the residential alcohol and drug service of Ngnowar-Aerwah Aboriginal Corporation at Wyndham in the East Kimberley. It takes single people, couples and families, publishing capacity for up to ten single residents, three couples and three families.
Redfern, NSW
AMS Redfern
AMS Redfern is an Aboriginal community controlled health service in inner Sydney, established in 1971 as the first of its kind in Australia. Its Drug and Alcohol unit runs weekday clinics offering pharmacotherapies, assessment and referral, counselling for alcohol and drug problems, pain management and community…
Hawthorn, VIC
Access Health and Community
The Hawthorn centre of Access Health and Community, a not-for-profit community health organisation in Melbourne's inner east. It delivers free alcohol and other drug counselling alongside general practice, mental health, allied health and headspace Hawthorn.
Malvern, VIC
Family Solutions
Addiction Solutions Victoria is a Melbourne incorporated association formed in 2015 that delivers non-residential alcohol and drug programs, mostly online, from a by-appointment office in Malvern.
Private rooms onlyBucca, NSW
Adele House
Adele House is a 40-bed residential rehabilitation service for men over 18 with alcohol and other drug dependence, run by St Vincent de Paul Society NSW on a rural property at Bucca near Coffs Harbour. The purpose-built facility opened in 2020.
BEFORE YOU MAKE CONTACT
Questions about
alcohol treatment.
If someone is in immediate danger, call 000. For advice at any hour, the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline is 1800 250 015.
- Do I need medical supervision to stop drinking?
- Alcohol withdrawal can be medically serious, including risk of seizures. If you drink heavily daily, seek clinical advice before stopping and ask a qualified service about supervised detox.
- Is alcohol rehab covered by Medicare or private health insurance?
- Government-funded alcohol treatment is available free of charge through public health services. Private health insurance may cover inpatient residential rehabilitation — check your level of hospital cover.
- How long does alcohol rehab take?
- Detox typically takes 5–10 days. Residential rehabilitation programs usually run 28, 60 or 90 days. Outpatient programs can run for 3–12 months. Long-term recovery support continues well beyond formal treatment.
OTHER TREATMENT AREAS
WHEN YOU’RE READY
Ready to take the first step?
Compare services treating alcohol and contact them directly.