The Sydney Retreat offers a 28-day residential recovery program that applies a non-clinical, mutual-help approach to alcoholism and drug dependency.
The Sydney Retreat provides a safe, structured, and supportive environment to focus on recovery from alcohol and drug addiction. The program uses 12-Step facilitation and connection with a recovery community to introduce tools and strategies aimed at supporting long-term sobriety.
The recovery model views alcoholism and drug addiction as conditions that can be addressed through a program of abstinence. Staff and volunteers—drawing on lived experience with addiction—provide mentorship that helps participants develop psychological insight. The program also fosters social support by connecting participants to a recovery community throughout their stay.
The Sydney Retreat is a 28-day live-in recovery facility modeled on The Retreat in Minnesota, USA. It is not a hospital or medical facility; rather, it is a peer-led program centered on 12-Step facilitation. After attending the program, 59% of participants report remaining sober at 12 months—figures that the organization notes exceed recovery rates reported for some other treatment approaches.
Independent research has associated long-term community support with positive outcomes for people in residential treatment programs. The Sydney Retreat highlights close working relationships with local referral sources and strong support from the Sydney recovery community as contributors to its outcomes.
The 28 day residential program costs $11,950. Guests are not able to use theirprivate health insurance for the program; however, there are partial scholarships available to those who qualify and guests may be eligible to access their superannuation to cover the cost.
Private for-profit organization. Primary focus: substance use treatment, treatment for co-occurring substance use plus either serious mental health illness in adults/serious emotional disturbance in children.
This listing is sourced from the SAMHSA Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator. Data last synced: June 2026. Always verify current programs and insurance directly with the facility.
