Our programs
We can help you. We have state-of-the-art inpatient, day patient and evening programs which are located in our two hospitals - Burwood and Richmond - within the Sydney metropolitan area.
St John of God Health Care is the largest not-for-profit provider of private mental health care in New South Wales. Our facilities include two private hospitals, three specialist consulting centres and two counselling and therapy centres.
In our two hospitals, we offer:
- Drug and alcohol assessment
- Medicated detoxification
- Pharmacotherapies
- Structured therapy
- Rehabilitation
- Family education
- Introduction to self-help groups
The environment St John of God has created is one of acceptance where you can feel safe, comfortable and understood during the rehabilitation process.
Compassion, respect and understanding underpin everything we do.
The programs are specifically designed to help patients assess their dependency and to abstain from alcohol use. Importantly, the programs also offer safe withdrawal from alcohol.
We use evidence-based programs which include medications that specifically suppress the driving force of alcohol dependence. Our therapy programs use a cognitive behavioural therapy approach - how we think (cognitive) and how we act (behaviour). This recognises the powerful relationship between thoughts, feelings and behaviour and the impact it has on addiction and therefore, recovery.
Treatment is designed to help people explore feelings and behaviours which trigger the need for alcohol.
Topics covered in the programs include:
- Our relationship with alcohol
- Symptoms and physical effects of alcohol abuse
- Identifying behaviours and personal beliefs that hinder contentment
- Managing thoughts (ways to approach distorted thinking habits and combat them with effective counterstatements)
- Dealing with your feelings - including anger, guilt, fear, resentment and grief
- Effects of alcohol and drug abuse on relationships, sexuality and family members
- Methods of handling stress
- Assertiveness
- Skills for coping with negative mood states
Family members are encouraged to attend sessions to help understand how to offer their support.
Our comprehensive assessment identifies potential underlying causes of alcohol dependence and the complications you have experienced.
Each alcohol program therefore is personally tailored to give you the best chance of beating alcohol dependence.
The program comprises both group and individual sessions and incorporates the Alcoholics Anonymous world-renowned 12 step program. Individuals learn how their thought processes work and will gain insights into their personality and how to improve skills in communicating with others.
Once you have finished the program, we continue to help and support you. After-care services are available through group therapy sessions at our counselling and therapy centres. These follow-up support groups are fundamental in promoting recovery and preventing relapse.
Cost of Treatment
The cost of treatment for alcohol dependency at St John of God Health Care is covered by most major health funds, depending on the level of individual cover.
All costs for treatment are individually determined according to your specific treatment needs which can be discussed in more detail at the time of booking an initial appointment.
St John of God Health Care also has agreements with the Department of Veterans' Affairs and WorkCover approved insurers.
