Geelong drug and alcohol services
Expert, compassionate care for your recovery journey
If you’re living with an alcohol, drug or substance use disorder and haven’t been able to stop on your own, help is available at The Geelong Clinic in St Albans Park.
Our experienced, caring team is committed to helping you get back on track – in a safe and welcoming environment.
We provide three drug and alcohol rehab programs to support your recovery. Most people start with a detoxification program in our Geelong withdrawal unit and finish in our day program, which supports your long-term recovery.
As a private alcohol and drug rehabilitation centre, you’ll receive care from the same psychiatrist throughout your journey with us. We can support people with a dual diagnosis of a mental health condition and an alcohol or drug addiction.
If you don’t have private health insurance, talk to us about options such as self-funding your rehab program.
We’re a regulated mental health and rehab facility, accredited under The Australian Council on Healthcare Standards (ACHS).
Your drug and alcohol rehab journey at the Geelong Clinic
 Medical Detoxification program |
|---|
| No prerequisites
|
| Beds generally available for eligible patients |
| GP referral needed
|
| Adults 18+ |
| Inpatient |
| 7-10 days |
| Individual |
| Cost of stay is generally covered by private health insurance, Workcover, DVA or TAC
|
 Addictive Behaviours program |
|---|
| Most people are encouraged to complete the Medical Detoxification program before starting this program
|
| Beds generally available for eligible patients |
| GP referral needed
|
| Adults 18+ |
| Inpatient |
| 28 days |
| Individual and group therapy |
| Cost of stay is generally covered by private health insurance, Workcover, DVA or TAC
|
 Relapse and Maintenance Support (RAMS) day program |
|---|
| We recommend you complete the Addictive Behaviours program before starting this program
|
| Spots generally available |
| GP referral needed
|
| Adults 18+ |
| Outpatient |
| Weekly Wednesday 9.30am-12.30pm |
| Group therapy |
| We’ll conduct a private health insurance check
|
(7-10 days)
Drug and alcohol rehab starts here
It can be very difficult – and in some cases life threatening – to suddenly stop using alcohol, drugs or other substances.
Our 7-10 day inpatient medical detoxification program helps you ease off alcohol, drugs and substances in a supported and controlled environment.
This program is the first step on your recovery journey. It can be arranged up to three weeks before you move on to the Addictive Behaviours inpatient program. Before being admitted, you’ll be booked in for an initial assessment at The Geelong Clinic.
Your expert rehab team
Throughout the medical detox process, you’ll be supervised and guided by a psychiatrist and a team of experienced medical experts. You’ll receive clinical, psychological and medication support to reduce the risk of – and help relieve the symptoms of – alcohol, drug and substance withdrawal.
(28-days)
Once you’ve completed the Medical Detoxification program you can continue with our 28-day Addictive Behaviours inpatient program. People with a dual-diagnosis of drug or alcohol addiction and a mental health condition are welcome to participate in this program.
Your next step at our Geelong rehab centre
The program provides the support and skills you need to help manage your recovery. It runs on an ongoing basis and you can join at any time. You’ll be booked in for an initial assessment at The Geelong Clinic before being admitted.
During your stay, you’ll receive individual and group-based therapy. The program aims to help you understand yourself, addiction and mental health, all within a comfortable and supportive environment.
Alcohol and drug rehabilitation - for life
Our evidence-based program helps you gain insight into why you developed an alcohol or drug addiction by focusing on underlying behavioural and psychological factors.
You’ll learn about the stages of change, what motivates you to change, and how to take responsibility for your recovery. You’ll develop skills in regulating emotion, tolerating distress, interpersonal communication, preventing relapse and managing urges and cravings.
In addition to supporting people with alcohol and substance use disorders, this program is ideal for those living with other addictions – including gambling, gaming, exercise, sex and social media.
Alcohol and drug rehab program aims
The Addictive Behaviours program at the Geelong Clinic assists you to:
- Develop action plans that promote your wellbeing and reduce the impact of addiction
- Develop coping strategies and enhance personal control
- Increase awareness and management of your thoughts and feelings
- Enhance your capacity to manage issues related to addiction
- Clarify your personal values.
Your expert medical team
You’ll be cared for by a team of experts with extensive experience treating people with drug, alcohol and substance use disorders and those with a dual diagnosis.
The team includes:
- Accredited psychiatrists
- Allied health professionals
- People with lived experience of an alcohol, drug or other addiction.
(RAMS) day program (weekly)
To increase the likelihood of your long-term recovery, you may be referred to our Relapse and Maintenance Support (RAMS) day program at the end of the Addictive Behaviours inpatient program.
You can start this outpatient program at any time.
You’ll attend The Geelong Clinic each Wednesday from 9.30am-12.30pm on an ongoing basis.
Support and skills to help keep you on track
This program provides vital support and treatment for people in recovery from addiction. It’s designed to build your skills and teach you alternative ways to effectively manage emotions, relationships and crises – all in a supportive, encouraging group environment.
We tailor the program to your and your group’s needs and you’ll receive helpful information and resources. In addition to people recovering from alcohol and substance use disorder, this program also supports people recovering from other behaviours such as gambling, gaming, exercise, sex and social media addiction.
Relapse and Maintenance Support program aims
Attending The Geelong Clinic’s outpatient drug and alcohol recovery support program assists you to:
- Address patterns of addictive behaviour
- Build capacity to manage addictive behaviours
- Develop helpful thoughts and beliefs that enhance your quality of life
- Increase your self-esteem, confidence and self-efficacy
- Increase awareness and management of your thoughts and feelings
- Develop specific coping strategies
- Explore personal concerns related to alcohol or drug issues in a confidential, supportive group setting.
Optional additional day programs
- Emotional Wellness Day Program
- Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
The Geelong Clinic psychiatrists
Psychiatrist
Psychiatrist
Accommodation at our Geelong rehabilitation centre
For the inpatient programs, you’ll stay with us and receive 24-hour support in a refurbished facility with a comfortable, home-like feel. The Geelong Clinic facilities include:
- Private rooms with air conditioning, ensuite, TV, telephone and a nurse call button
- Shared courtyard for you to use and an outdoor visitor area
- Interpreters and chaplaincy services are available on request
- Laundry facilities
- Visitor and disabled parking.
Getting a referral – eligibility
To be admitted to one of our inpatient or outpatient programs you’ll need to see a GP first to:
- Get a referral to the admitting psychiatrist at The Geelong Clinic; and
- Complete a physical assessment; and
- Complete blood tests
GPs can address their referral generally to ‘Dear Doctor’ or directly by name to one of our accredited psychiatrists. Click here for our full specialist directory and referral guide.
GPs can submit referrals via fax attention Intake on 03 5240 0799.
Being admitted
Once we receive the above we’ll book you in for an assessment consultation with our one of our team members. Then if you’re assessment is appropriate for the program we’ll admit you as soon as possible. We generally offer minimal wait times for admission.
Costs
We understand that costs for admission to a private mental health facility and related charges can
be complex, so please call us with any questions you have – we’re more than happy to help.
Private health insurance
Depending on your level of cover we can estimate hospital charges, outline how much cover your fund offers, and inform you about any out-of-pocket costs you may need to pay. We’ll need to do a private health fund check before you can be admitted or start the program.
We’re recognised by all major private health funds that reimburse treatment costs.
No private health insurance
If you don’t have private health insurance, you can call our Front Office Manager to discuss self-funding your stay. Please call before admission for an estimate of the cost of your stay. You’ll need to pay for your stay in full upon admission.
Workcover, MAB, TAC or DVA
If you’re admitted under Workcover, MAB, TAC or DVA you’ll need prior approval. Please call us first to discuss. We’re a Tier 1 Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) contracted hospital which means all DVA patients with a Gold Card are fully covered for shared accommodation.
FAQs
Yes. We’re a private, regulated mental health facility, accredited under The Australian Council on Healthcare Standards (ACHS).
Yes. You’ll be under the care of the same accredited psychiatrist during the program.
Yes, we generally have available beds and our psychiatrists have capacity to accept new admissions. If the patient is accepted for admission they are usually admitted within a week.
No. We are only a voluntary hospital and patients need to be at a certain risk level appropriate for The Geelong Clinic. If a patient’s condition deteriorates during their admission with us and are sectioned under the Mental Health Act (involuntary), we will transfer them to the nearest public psychiatric unit, at Barwon Health Swanston Centre.
Yes. We welcome people with a mental health condition and an addiction. The patient’s diagnoses’ will be reviewed and treated by the admitting psychiatrist during their stay and referred accordingly after admission.
If you don’t have private health insurance call our Front Office Manager to discuss this as one option is to self-fund your stay. Please call before admission for an estimate for the cost of your stay. You’ll need to pay for your stay in full upon admission.
Yes you can bring your phone, device or laptop but you are soley responsible for it. If you have an addiction relating to your phone/device there may be times when you can’t access it but you’ll be guided by your treating psychiatrist.
Yes. We’ll check your bags in the presence of two nursing staff. But before you arrive, we’ll provide a detailed list of what is, and what isn’t allowed.
Yes, you can access to a designated smoking area for cigarettes but Vape devices are not allowed.
Yes you can leave but will first need approval from your treating psychiatrist.
Yes you can have visitors and we ask that they follow any restrictions that may be in place due to COVID-19.
Yes. We’ll complete hourly visual checks throughout the day and night.
Yes we encourage you to bring your own pens/highlighters.
Yes. You can use the onsite washing machines, detergent and dryers.