28 Day Residential Program
We provide a safe, structured and supportive environment to focus entirely on recovery. Through Twelve Step Facilitation and connection with a recovery community, you will learn...
An Expert's opinion: I have worked with 1000's of alcoholics & drug addicts over the last 40 years and trained 100's of psychiatrists. The program at The Sydney Retreat is without doubt the most effective and successful addiction recovery program I have ever been involved with.
We provide a safe, structured and supportive environment to focus entirely on recovery. Through Twelve Step Facilitation and connection with a recovery community, you will learn...
For guests who have completed the 28-day program there is a 21-day option for those who wish to strengthen and continue their recovery journey...
As an extension of our 28 Day Program, we offer sober housing in Sydney’s Inner West for those who need additional support. Our sober houses provide a safe, supportive, sober community with structure to help...
The Sydney Retreat’s Family Program is a way for those affected by someone else’s drinking or drug use to learn more about addiction and how to deal with it. The program is held on Sundays and is available to family...
The Sydney Retreat offers Australia’s most affordable private 28-day residential drug and alcohol rehab – a safe, structured, and evidence-based approach in Sydney’s Inner West. What makes us unique is that everyone involved with our program – from board members to staff to volunteers – is in recovery themselves. We are all committed to a solution that we live ourselves and to helping others find recovery too.
Our program is modelled off the highly successful The Retreat USA which has been helping people find recovery from drug and alcohol addiction since 1991. The Retreat represents a non-clinical, mutual help approach to the problem of alcohol and drug dependency and boasts success rates that far exceed that of any other public or private drug and alcohol rehabilitation program anywhere in the world.
Of people who attend the Sydney Retreat successfully complete the program
28-day Immersive residential recovery program
Highly successful 12-step facilitated recovery program
Of people surveyed who followed the program remained sober after 12 months
5.0 stars (based on 53 reviews)
Staying at The Sydney Retreat for the 28-day recovery program was truly a life-changing experience. Going into the retreat, I didn’t know what to expect. The facility itself is great and all the staff are extremely welcoming, compassionate and understanding. I’m grateful that The Sydney Retreat is focused heavily on 12-step recovery and isn’t just another detox. The retreat has provided me with a fresh outlook on life, knowledge of my illness, and above all, the tools to continue sobriety in my new-found life. Forever thankful.

The Sydney Retreat is more than just a wonderful treatment centre, but a LIFE CHANGING centre. The 12 step program literally has saved my life when I had nothing left. All of the staff truly care about your sobriety and wellbeing. Not to mention the COOK “who will remain anonymous” dishes out the best home cooked meals I have had in a very long time. Accommodation is modern and well kept. They even have a pet possum that greets you every night to say goodnight. I am truly grateful to the Sydney Retreat and everyone there for showing me the way to sobriety.

I was lucky enough to be a beneficiary of the scholarship program without which I would have been unable to attend. The program is really well structured and the routine set me up with a positive blueprint for success in the outside world. The staff and volunteers are compassionate and caring and a constant source of support and understanding. Coming here is the best thing I have done for myself in a very long time and I look forward to a long future not crippled by alcoholism. As my husband put it, “I finally have my wife back”.

I wanted to stop drinking alcohol though no matter how hard I try, I couldn’t. Year after year I was effectively drinking against my will. During my stay at the retreat, a miracle happened. The obsession to drink alcohol was removed and I was supported to begin working the AA 12 step program. I’m happily sober now and with the support of other sober Alcoholics in AA I need never drink again. If Alcohol is costing you more than money and you want to stop, I highly recommend The program and kind people at The Sydney Retreat can help.

The Sydney Retreat completely changed my recovery. For the first time I feel I really understand the disease of addiction and can see the path forward. The Retreat showed me that a sober life is possible and how to do it. It is a testament to the power of one alcoholic helping another. I have since recommended it to people struggling with their addiction as well to people living sober but seeking a deeper understanding of the AA program.

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The Sydney Retreat offers a transformative recovery experience inspired by the world-renowned Retreat in Minnesota, USA. Unlike traditional hospital or clinical settings, we provide a warm, community-based environment where recovery is guided by peers who have walked the same path and achieved lasting freedom from addiction.
Our method is grounded in Twelve Step Facilitation, a proven and empowering approach that has helped millions achieve long-term sobriety through connection, understanding, and practical tools for daily living.
The results speak for themselves: 85% of our guests who follow our program remain sober after 12 months, far exceeding conventional rehabilitation outcomes. At The Sydney Retreat, recovery isn’t just a possibility, it’s real, lasting, and life-changing.
The Sydney Retreat stands apart by providing a supportive, educational, and community-based approach to recovery. Our approach is centred on the proven Twelve Step Facilitation model, empowering guests to take meaningful steps toward long-term sobriety. Rather than a clinical or medical setting, we offer a welcoming environment where guests learn practical tools for recovery, build strong connections, and gain guidance from peers who have successfully transformed their own lives.
By the time you complete the program, you’ll have a dedicated recovery mentor and a clear path forward, equipped with the same principles and practices that have helped countless individuals achieve lasting freedom from addiction.
The Sydney Retreat is guided by a dedicated board of directors, supported by an experienced professional team, and enriched by more than 150 dedicated volunteers from the recovery community. Every member of our team has personally overcome addiction and is now living a full, meaningful life in recovery, making us uniquely positioned to help others do the same.
We are qualified, experienced, authentic, and compassionate, bringing genuine understanding and care to every guest’s journey toward lasting sobriety.
The Sydney Retreat welcomes adults aged 18 and over who are ready to take the first step toward lasting recovery from alcohol or drug dependency. Our program is designed for those who are motivated to make meaningful change and engage in a supportive, community-based environment.
Admission begins with a confidential pre-registration consultation over the phone, allowing our team to understand your needs and ensure the program is the right fit.
The length of stay is 28 days.
The Sydney Retreat is a registered charity determined to keep its fees as low as possible whilst covering its costs. The current guest fee is $11,950, which covers all expenses for our 28-day residential recovery program. Guests are not able to use their private health insurance for our program; however, there are partial scholarships available to those who qualify and guests may be eligible to access their superannuation to cover the cost.
Did you know you could be eligible to use your super for mental health and dependency treatment under the Compassionate Release of Super Program?
For more information visit Release My Super or get in touch with our admissions team on (02) 9171 2920 who can help you navigate the process.
Absolutely. One of the core pillars of our program is making sure you are connected to a recovery community to provide ongoing support once your time at The Sydney Retreat is over. Some people may choose to enter our Sober House Program where they gain additional support.
Yes, the family can visit for lunch and a group family support session afterwards, with time to connect with your loved ones. Children under 18 years are unable to visit, however video calls with dependent children can be arranged during your stay.
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