What is it like at a drug and alcohol rehab? A residential program can be an effective way to break free from alcohol and drug dependency and begin your journey of recovery, but what can you expect when you sign up for our 28 day program?
What to expect at a drug and alcohol rehab
Most people have very little understanding of what happens in rehab other than what they’ve seen on TV or the movies. Often these portrayals are sensationalised and not very accurate. When people decide to get help to quit drinking or taking drugs, they often don’t know what to expect at a drug and alcohol rehab.
First things first – The Sydney Retreat is not a rehab or a treatment facility, but a non-clinical and non-medical Educational Recovery Facility. We offer a twenty-eight day, residential program with Twelve Step Facilitation for people suffering with alcohol and drug addiction.
We offer a safe and supportive environment and a structured program where people can fully immerse themselves in the Twelve Steps and develop the tools and coping strategies that will help set them up for recovery once they leave us.
What does a typical day in rehab look like?
At The Sydney Retreat, our day begins with a short meditation followed by breakfast and outdoor exercise in the park.
Guests attend a variety of groups, workshops, and meetings, including:
- Practical discussions led by sober members of the recovery community that focus on solutions
- A workshop on one of the first four steps of recovery
- A Twelve Step study group on how to achieve long term sobriety
Throughout their stay, guests work through their program book with support from staff, volunteers, or a sponsor completing the workbook by the time they leave. In the third week, guests have the opportunity to share their story with the group if they wish to.
We also have a weekly session on The Doctor’s Opinion 2024, a four-part lecture series by Dr. Stephen Jurd, an Addiction Psychiatrist, who explains addiction, the brain, and the role of Twelve Step Facilitation in recovery.
Afternoons provide free time, and after dinner, guests either attend an in-house Twelve Step meeting or a local one. We end the day with a Step Ten reflection exercise.
Will I get to see my family?
Every Sunday we hold an in-house Al-Anon meeting which guests and their families attend. Al-Anon is a twelve step program for families and friends affected by someone else’s drinking. Members share their experience, strength and hope and provide invaluable support to our families while their loved ones are in The Sydney Retreat. After the meeting we have a family lunch, and guests can spend time with their loved ones.
For parents coming into The Sydney Retreat as guests, we know that being separated from their kids can be tough. Arrangements can be made for additional access and phone calls during their stay.
Do I get any free time?
Each day, guests are required to participate in a number of group, one-on-one and individual activities and workshops. The work we do can take its toll mentally and emotionally which is why we encourage all of our guests to take time out. We visit a local park twice a day and guests can walk around the oval, play tennis or pickleball, use the exercise equipment or just enjoy some fresh air and a change of environment.
We also take guests shopping twice a week and everyone has personal time for an hour in the mornings and in the afternoons/evenings.
What are the meals like?
A crucial part of delivering our program is providing nutritious, tasty, homemade food for our guests. We are lucky to have a great chef who is extraordinarily creative, and mealtime is definitely a highlight on the daily agenda. On Saturday nights we let the chef have a night off and order in pizza for our in-house movie night.
Do I get to connect with the outside world?
While our days are busy with scheduled activities, in their free time guests can use the house phone to make calls. They have access to their mobile phones on Sunday afternoons and during other times at the discretion of staff if they need to make calls for medical, legal or financial reasons. Otherwise, our experience shows that being fully present and focussed while they are with us, brings about better results.
Two or three times a week we take guests to local Twelve Step meetings to help integrate them into the fellowship and give them an introduction to what to expect once they complete the program. This is an opportunity for them to connect with our alumni and some of the volunteers who help deliver our in-house program. These relationships are crucial for guest when they leave The Sydney Retreat and help set them up with a solid foundation of support.
Want to know more about our 28 Day program?
WE ARE HERE TO HELP
To start your journey complete the form below to receive our brochure which includes information about our recovery program and pricing.
One of our dedicated staff members will also contact you with more details and to answer any questions.
You can also call on 02 9171 2920.
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