Explore honest, long-form stories of addiction recovery from real people who’ve experienced drug and alcohol addiction, sought help, and found their way forward.
Take a self-assessment or speak to someone now, with no pressure to commit.
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Lived-experience recovery stories from real people
Long-term outcomes like years of sobriety and reconnection
Stories that inspire hope, self-awareness, and compassion
Honest reflections on dysfunction, fear, and change
Everyone’s path to recovery is different. For some, it begins with detox. For others, it starts after years of substance use or a moment of crisis. These are true stories of people who once felt alone and found connection, support, and a way to reclaim their lives. From early dysfunction to years of sobriety, each story reflects courage, willpower, and the decision to get help.
These recovery stories aren’t polished. They’re powerful. Each one captures a journey — through detox, therapy, setbacks, and eventually, transformation.
After years of trauma, addiction, and loss, Ali found the strength to rebuild his life through the support of a compassionate team, a sense of community, and a commitment to long-term healing.
After 32 years of addiction, Minh Pham found hope, healing, and a new path at The Hader Clinic. His journey is a testament to the power of community, compassion, and courage.
After multiple relapses, Peter found long-term recovery with Hader. Read how therapy, community and clinical care helped him reclaim his life.
Clients sober after 12 months
Clients felt safe and supported
Long-term program completion
Average from enquiry to admission
Our stories reflect emotion. Our results reflect impact. Every stat below represents someone who overcame their addiction to alcohol or drugs and started a new chapter.
Sources
Internal data from 2024 rehab enquiries
Client follow-up surveys
We want to know precisely how effective our rehab is, which is why we track key milestones like length of sobriety achieved, social reintegration and continuing participation in therapy.
Clients sober 12 months after completing our 90-day program
Clients transition into aftercare for continued support
Our rehab centre is accredited under the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) standards and the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC).
Our recovery stories come from a care model that centres compassion, clinical structure, and lived experience. Here's what sets The Hader Clinic apart.
We support physical, emotional, and spiritual recovery at every stage.
Our staff includes social workers, counsellors, and experts on their own sober journey.
Each rehabilitation program is shaped to fit a client’s goals and background.
Each rehabilitation program is shaped to fit a client’s goals and background.
Reading these recovery stories may stir something in you — the pain of recognition, or maybe the spark of hope. If you or a loved one need help, we’re here.
Take a quick, private quiz to see if rehab could help and explore safe support options.
Schedule a confidential call with a specialist at a time that suits you.
Speak to someone immediately for guidance and support.
Every recovery story begins with feeling safe and supported. At The Hader Clinic, we provide that foundation across two dedicated locations. In Geelong, our hospital offers medically supervised detox in a calm, private environment. In Essendon, our residential rehab centre gives people the space to slow down, connect, and begin to heal. These are the places where real change begins.
These reviews speak for the people behind the progress — people who once felt lost in addiction and now use their voices to help others feel seen.
Our stories reflect something bigger than sobriety alone. They show what happens when addiction treatment includes reflection, purpose, and self-awareness.
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We believe that stories change lives and that everyone has the right to recovery, no matter how far they’ve fallen. Our values shape the care we deliver every day.
Every recovery starts with a decision. If you’re ready to get help — or just talk about your options — we’re here with clarity, respect, and care.
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