Treating alcohol dependency

Breaking alcohol dependency is easier when the underlying causes and environmental factors surrounding your alcohol abuse are identified and treated together with the drinking itself. However, the ‘modular’ nature of many treatment programs tends to discourage this more wholistic approach. South Pacific Private is an exception.

Our programs can help people experiencing alcohol-related problems, including:
  • alcohol addiction or alcohol dependency
  • binge drinking or drinking to excess
  • physical or emotional side effects related to withdrawing or detoxing from alcohol

Factors that contribute to alcohol addiction include:
  • your situation at work or home
  • personal relationships
  • hurtful or traumatic experiences from the past
  • your medical and/or family history

A higher chance of breaking your dependency on alcohol

Successful recovery is more likely when treatment takes into account the whole person. All of us are complex products of our history and our day-to-day lives and, because we don’t live in isolation, our problems can’t be treated in isolation either. Our programs are proven to be more effective in treating alcohol addiction than other treatment centres. Independently-verified research demonstrates how clients who have received care at South Pacific Private have a higher likelihood of recovery and long-term sobriety.

Benefits of our treatment programs

Each of our programs is designed to help you learn how to:
  • explore your issues around alcohol and understand why you feel the way you do
  • identify the behaviours and personal beliefs that are complicating your life
  • communicate better and improve the important relationships in your life
  • gain perspective on family dynamics
  • cope better with anxiety or distress
  • practice mindfulness: the self-awareness of your thoughts, feelings and physical wellbeing
  • be better at understanding your thought processes, to recognise and correct distortions in your thinking and to change debilitating personal beliefs

Outline of programs for treating alcohol dependency at South Pacific Private

1. Evening Program
2. Day Program
3. Inpatient Program

1. Evening Program. 8 evenings plus one Saturday, for minimal disruption to your usual daily routine. It's particularly beneficial for people whose alcohol dependency is less severe.

2. Day Program. 10 to 20 days from 9am to 4pm* Minimal disruption to your daily routine, as you're free to return home at the end of each day. It's another particularly beneficial option for people whose alcohol dependency is less severe. * The number of days will be based on your unique needs, following a professional assessment.

3. Inpatient Program – generally 1–5 weeks of 24 hour professional inpatient care. The exact length of your stay will be tailored to your needs by the team responsible for your care, and will include full medical support, if required, through your detox. You'll be involved in the therapeutic community of fellow inpatients, providing peer support and nurturing your self-esteem and awareness. When you leave, a comprehensive after-care plan will ease the transition back to regular life.

Common elements throughout all our programs

  • Our programs are conducted in a group therapy format
  • Through workshops and lectures, you'll learn about personal development skills – generally known as psycho-education
  • Your progress will be regularly assessed by a multidisciplinary team of professional staff – doctors, nurses and therapists
  • A psychiatrist will also assess your progress on a weekly basis
  • Programs can be covered by private health insurance – fully or partially, depending on your cover
  • Family involvement is also strongly encouraged and is a cornerstone of all our programs

South Pacific Private's treatment centre is located in Sydney's Northern Beaches, allowing all programs to be conducted in a natural, healing environment.

To contact us, you can use our email form or free-call 1800 063 332. Together, we can discuss how you may benefit from seeking treatment at South Pacific Private.

Key things to remember

  • Breaking a dependency on alcohol is more likely to be successful when treatment takes into account the whole person. Their current physical and emotional wellbeing should be considered in light of their wider life, routines and relationships. This approach is taken by all South Pacific Private treatment programs
  • Withdrawing from alcohol can be dangerous. For this reason, it is important for detox to be professionally supervised (at the very least, please consult a medical professional before attempting to go ‘cold-turkey’)


alcohol abuse and dependency | alcohol abuse self assessment