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Drug and alcohol rehabilitation

Key facts

  • Drug and alcohol rehabilitation helps you stop or reduce using drugs and alcohol.
  • Rehabilitation may include detoxification (‘detox’), counselling, medicines and ongoing recovery support. 
  • Rehabilitation can take place in residential or community-based programs, depending on your needs. 
  • Recovery is often a long-term process, and ongoing social and psychological support can help prevent relapse and maintain wellbeing. 
  • Ask your doctor to refer you to a service that suits your needs.

What is drug and alcohol rehabilitation?

Drug and alcohol rehabilitation services can help you when you have a problem with how you use alcohol and drugs. 

Rehabilitation services offer treatment, counselling and support to help you stop or reduce your use of drugs and alcohol. This means you do not have to do it alone.

Drug and alcohol rehabilitation aims to lessen your chance of harm from substance use. Rehabilitation can help you develop skills so that you do not feel dependent on drugs or alcohol. Social and psychological support can help you stay away from drugs and alcohol for the long term.

Where do rehabilitation programs take place?

You can get treatment in:

  • a community-based treatment centre
  • a residential rehabilitation service

Community-based treatment provides support while you live at home. You attend appointments or treatment programs during the day and go home afterwards. Treatment may include counselling, case management, withdrawal support and rehabilitation programs to help you reduce or stop your substance use. It can also provide ongoing social and psychological support.

Residential rehabilitation involves staying at a treatment facility for a period. This might be days, several weeks or months. These programs provide a structured, supportive environment away from everyday triggers and may include counselling, group therapy, education and life skills training to support recovery.

How is drug and alcohol addiction treated?

There are many different options to treat drug and alcohol addiction. 

Withdrawal or detoxification (detox) is one part of treatment and helps your body safely clear alcohol or drugs while managing withdrawal symptoms, sometimes with medicine for support.

Counselling is the most common treatment. When you go to counselling:

  • you will talk to someone who understands drug and alcohol issues
  • you can have counselling one-to-one or in a group setting
  • what you say is confidential (kept private)
  • the counsellor can help you understand and make changes to your alcohol or drug use
  • your counsellor can help you find out about other therapies, including social support

If you have a more serious or long-term dependence, treatment is often ongoing and may include a mix of supports over time. This can involve:

  • structured rehabilitation programs (including residential care or community-based programs)
  • ongoing counselling 
  • relapse prevention support
  • medicine to reduce cravings or manage dependence
  • peer support programs

If you have both alcohol or drug dependence and have a mental health condition, it's important to get help for both at the same time. When you access alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment, your substance use and mental health needs can be assessed together. You can then be connected with the services and support that best meet your needs, so you don't have to work out where to go or navigate different services on your own.

How long does rehabilitation take?

Recovery is often a long-term process. The type and level of support you need may change over time. 

It can take time to find the approach that works best for you. Many people access treatment or rehabilitation more than once, as they work towards their recovery goals.

What is the cost of rehabilitation services?

The cost of rehabilitation depends on the type of service and whether you access it through the public or private system. 

You can access alcohol and other drug services through:

  • state and territory public health services
  • non-government organisations and charities
  • private alcohol and other drug treatment services

Public alcohol and other drug treatment services are usually free or low cost. Private residential rehabilitation services generally charge fees, which vary between providers. 

Medicare may help cover some healthcare costs such as GP visits, hospital treatment and other eligible medical services, depending on the care you need.

Some services may also be partly covered by private health insurance, depending on your policy.

Before starting treatment, ask the service about any costs, fees or subsidies that may apply.

Where can I go for help?

If you think you need help with alcohol or drug use, start by speaking with your doctor or other healthcare professional. They can assess your needs help connect you with the right treatment and support services.

You can also contact alcohol and other drug treatment services directly in your state or territory to learn about your options. These services can assess your needs and help connect you with the care that best suits you, such as community-based support or residential rehabilitation.

What if I do not have a regular doctor?

If you do not have a regular GP, you can visit a community health centre or walk-in clinic. Healthcare professionals there can assess your needs and help connect you with alcohol and other drug treatment services. 

If you need to see your doctor but cannot wait for an appointment, you may be able to get treatment at a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic. Use the Service Finder (Opens in new tab) to find your nearest one.

If you need emergency help, go to a hospital emergency department. Staff can assess your situation and help connect you with the support and services you need. 

Warning:

If you are concerned about your safety or someone else's safety, call triple Zero (000) and ask for an ambulance, or go to your nearest emergency department.

You can also find a list of support services at the bottom of this page.

How can I help someone with drug and alcohol rehabilitation?

Caring for someone with an addiction can be challenging. It is also important to look after your own wellbeing. Talking to a doctor or an alcohol and other drug service can help you understand the situation and learn ways to support your loved one.

Practical support can include:

  • encouraging the person to stay engaged with their treatment plan
  • helping them attend appointments, for example with transport or by looking after their children so they can attend sessions
  • creating a stable and low-stress environment that supports recovery 

It can also help to learn about dependence and recovery, so you can better understand what they are going through and what to expect. 

Family members and friends may also benefit from their own support. 

What are AA and NA and how can they help in recovery?

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) (Opens in new tab) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) (Opens in new tab) are free peer support groups for people who want to stop or reduce their use of alcohol or drugs. They provide a supportive, non-judgemental environment where people share their experiences and support each other in recovery. 

A key part of these programs is having a sponsor. A sponsor is someone with lived experience of addiction who has been in recovery for longer. They can offer one-to-one support, encouragement, and guidance, and help the person stay connected with the program as they work towards their recovery goals.

Resources and Support

For more information on drug and alcohol rehabilitation contact:

Languages other than English

Translating and Interpreting Service (Opens in new tab) provides free interpreting services for people accessing many government-funded health services. Call 131 450 and ask for an interpreter in your preferred language. 

Alcohol and Drug Foundation (Opens in new tab) provides alcohol and other drug information in a range of community languages. 

Health Translations Directory (Opens in new tab) has resources related to alcohol, drugs and mental health.

Information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet – Alcohol and Other Drugs Knowledge Centre (Opens in new tab) is a national resource with information about alcohol and other drug treatment, support services and culturally appropriate care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 

NACCHO (Opens in new tab) helps connect you to Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs), which can provide culturally safe health care and referrals to alcohol and other drug services. 

13YARN (Opens in new tab) is a free, confidential crisis support and yarning service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples that can help connect you to local support services.

Information for sexually and gender-diverse people

ACON Alcohol and Other Drugs Support (Opens in new tab) — provides alcohol and other drug information, counselling and support for sexually and gender-diverse people. 

TouchBase (Opens in new tab) is a national online resource that provides information, support and service directories for LGBTIQ+ people seeking help with alcohol and other drug use. 

NSW Health LGBTIQ+ Alcohol and Other Drug Resources (Opens in new tab) includes alcohol and other drug resources and support services for LGBTIQ+ communities.

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Last reviewed: June 2026

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