Relapse prevention is one of the most important parts of drug and alcohol recovery. Our program gives you the tools, structure, and support to move forward and stay there.
Take a self-assessment or speak to someone now, with no pressure to commit.
Long-term relapse prevention program
Delivered by people with lived experience
Combines clinical and peer-led supports
Trauma-informed therapy and education
There’s nothing easy about staying clean, especially when you’re triggered, stressed, or disconnected. That’s why our relapse prevention program is built around ongoing support, practical tools, and people who understand what recovery really takes.
You’ll work closely with your counsellors and community to build a personal relapse prevention plan. This includes therapy, peer support, and skills for managing stress, cravings, and situations that may put your recovery at risk.
This service helps you prevent relapse by staying grounded, connected, and supported every day of your recovery.
According to the National Drug Strategy Household Survey, nearly half of all Australians over 14 have used drugs. It’s a reminder of how widespread and serious this risk is.
Relapse isn’t just the act of using again: it’s a process that often starts in the mind and body long before substance use begins. It can sneak in slowly through unprocessed emotions, exposure to past triggers, or the gradual breakdown of daily routines and support systems. Understanding this timeline helps us prevent relapse before it escalates. Relapse is more than just drinking or using again. It’s a process that begins long before the moment of use, often with a trigger, thought, or feeling that hasn’t been addressed or supported. Managing relapse in these early phases is essential to staying on your path to recovery.
Stress, shame, grief, exhaustion: these can all lead us back to dangerous patterns. Often, it’s not one major event but a slow build-up of unresolved emotions or life stress that causes us to use. Recognising early warning signs and common relapse triggers is a critical part of every personalised relapse prevention plan.
Relapse often begins with subtle mental shifts: feeling numb, disengaged, or hopeless. We might stop doing the things that kept us well, avoid people who care, or fantasise about using again. These are signs of the internal build-up that leads to a lapse. Identifying and naming these feelings gives us a chance to ask for help and stop the slide.
Relapse often comes with a wave of shame, like we’ve failed or wasted everything. But those thoughts are lies that addiction tells us. We need to remember that one step back doesn’t undo our growth. Processing relapse with compassion and support helps us stay connected to our recovery, learn what we missed, and prevent future lapses. This also allows us to build new strategies to help us care of yourself physically and emotionally. That might include getting enough sleep, avoiding risky situations, and using coping mechanisms that have worked in the past.
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Relapse prevention isn’t something you do once: it’s a daily commitment to yourself. What works today may not work next year, and that’s normal. Life keeps changing, and so do our needs in recovery. That’s why we keep showing up, adjusting our supports, and asking for help when the old tools stop working.
This short, confidential quiz takes less than two minutes and can help you make sense of what’s going on. Choose the category that feels most relevant to you — whether it’s alcohol, drugs, or a mix of concerns — and we’ll guide you through a few simple yes/no questions.
At the end, we’ll let you know if your answers suggest it might be time to consider rehab, and share safe, confidential options for getting started.
Relapse prevention doesn’t happen in isolation. It grows from the foundation of consistent care. That’s why we offer a full range of treatment programs, including hospital detox, inpatient treatment, residential rehabilitation, and transitional housing. Every step helps you stabilise, rebuild, and prevent relapse.
These five-star reviews reflect the voices of people who felt genuinely seen, heard, and cared for, not just during treatment, but in how they were treated as human beings.
I can’t speak highly enough of the staff at Hader. From the admissions process (thanks Silv) to the moment I walked through the doors, I felt supported, respected and cared for. The staff go above and beyond for you. The environment is welcoming, the program is structured and effective, and the level of care from the clinicians, support workers and management team is outstanding. Recovery is never easy, but having the right people around you makes all the difference, and The Hader Clinic creates that environment. What really stood out to me was how invested the team is in long-term outcomes, not just getting people through the door. The aftercare support and genuine compassion shown to clients and families is something special. If you or someone you love is struggling, I would absolutely recommend The Hader Clinic. It changes lives.
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Overall a very positive experience, the staff are helpful and caring and the community members during my time were amazing and integral to my recovery. Would recommend for anyone who needs to detox and start/restart their own recovery in a safe and supportive environment.
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I write this review as a family member of a client. My brother was admitted to Hader Clinic for a 3-month period of rehabilitation. The team at Hader Clinic were very good. They were accessible, have lived experience and follow the 12-step program, where the focus is abstinence, not harm minimisation. My brother’s commitment to making an enormous change to his life and his lifestyle, coupled with the support he received from staff members, was great. The support I received as a family member was exceptional. I felt part of the process, I was kept informed and I felt very supported along the way. The clinic offers a handbook, family support groups that meet every fortnight, resources and ongoing support meetings via zoom and telephone, for family members. After my brothers 90 days were up, I remember walking into the clinic and seeing my brother, thinking, I’ve got my brother back! Addiction is a disease – it changed my brother, he became unrecognisable, so disconnected from society and his true self. It’s a slow and painful disease, and the impact on my brother, every single relationship and friendship, and our family, was profound and life changing. I know it’s a long journey, and some days are better than others. It’s been just over two months since he left the clinic and things are going well. He has strategies in place, a network of good people he can lean on for support, ongoing face to face support twice weekly with staff at the clinic and is doing well. I will be forever grateful for the support both my brother and I received from the staff at Hader Clinic. I’m a firm believer that it’s the people that make ALL the difference. A massive thank you to all the staff at Hader Clinic.
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We’ll start with a private, compassionate phone call to understand what’s happening and how we can support you.
Together, we’ll look at your needs, history, risks, and goals. Then we’ll shape a treatment path that’s realistic and respectful of where you’re at.
When it feels right, we’ll help you take the next step, whether that’s detox, residential care, or relapse prevention planning.
We’re here whenever you’re ready – book a call or speak to someone now.
Most of us here have experienced addiction ourselves. That’s why we don’t offer cookie-cutter advice. We meet you where you’re at and support you with tools that actually work in the messy, difficult moments.
We've lived through relapse and recovery, and we'll never judge your journey.
We work with what's real: your job, your family, your fears, your mental health.
We don't leave you hanging. Our support keeps going well after discharge.
Everything we use (from relapse prevention techniques to self-care plans) is grounded in empathy and experience.
We’re fully accredited under the NSQHS Standards and regulated by the ACSQHC, so you can trust that our programs meet the highest standards with evidence-based care.
Whether you’re just starting to stabilise or you’ve already experienced a relapse, our services meet you wherever you’re at.
Stay supported while living at home with structure, counselling, and peer connection.
Inpatient care that helps you step away from chaos and reset your recovery.
Ongoing therapy and planning support for people trying to stay sober.
Immediate admission when relapse puts your health or safety at risk.
We’re proud to share stories from people who’ve walked this path, and from the families who supported them.
Relapse prevention is delivered within a structured, therapeutic environment designed to support stability beyond initial treatment. Clients engage in ongoing therapy, routine, and personalised strategies that help strengthen coping skills, rebuild confidence, and reduce the risk of relapse in everyday life.
Medically supported detox, inpatient residential rehabilitation, and transitional housing programs.
of clients had no readmission within 12 months of completing their program.
of clients had no readmission within 30 days, showing strong early relapse prevention.
of clients reported feeling connected to their recovery goals after leaving the program.
of clients said our staff understood them and supported their needs.
There’s no perfect path, but the right support can change everything. We’ve built this program to help reduce the risk of relapse and support long-term recovery goals. These outcomes are proof that healing is possible.
Trying to manage relapse on your own can feel like a losing battle. But you don’t have to carry it alone. We’ll help you find coping skills, structure, and support that actually stick.
Take a quick, private quiz to 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.
We know cost is one of the biggest barriers to treatment. That’s why we break everything down clearly and help you explore every available funding option.
We break down everything clearly, from upfront program costs to what’s included, so you can make informed decisions about your care.
You may be eligible for rebates, Super withdrawal, or funding assistance, and we’ll walk you through it all, step by step. Whether you’re dealing with alcohol addiction, alcoholism, or drug addiction, we’ll help you navigate your options.
You’ll be supported by a team that includes people who’ve lived through addiction, as well as professionals who specialise in relapse prevention and long-term recovery. Many of us have made the decision to seek help after moments of shame, fear, or emotional collapse, and we know that recovering from addiction isn’t just about staying sober, but rebuilding life in all its dimensions.
For decades, we’ve helped people facing substance use disorders and mental health challenges find safety, clarity, and hope, no matter how many setbacks they’ve faced.
Whether you’re at risk of relapse, supporting someone in crisis, or just feeling stuck, reaching out is the first step in reconnecting with what matters.
Confidential help for people struggling with substance use, relapse, or mental health.
Guidance and support for family and friends worried about someone’s drug or alcohol use.
There’s no perfect moment to start — just a willingness to try. We’ll help you work through your concerns and take a step that feels possible, wherever you’re at.
Speak to someone who understands
A relapse prevention plan is a living, personalised roadmap for how you’ll manage your recovery in real life, especially when things get hard. At The Hader Clinic, we build each plan with you, not for you. It’s based on your history, your risks, and your strengths. Your plan will include:
We revisit this plan regularly in one-on-one sessions and peer group counselling, not as a checklist but as an honest conversation about what’s working, what’s not, and where we can better support you.
Relapse usually doesn’t start with using. It starts quietly, in the background of your thoughts, routines, and feelings. At The Hader Clinic, we help you spot those early signs before they take over. Warning signs can include:
If you notice these signs, it doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It means you’re in a risky moment, and that’s when your relapse prevention plan and support network matter most. We help you catch these moments early and work through them before they escalate.
Cravings are a normal part of recovery but they don’t have to control you. At The Hader Clinic, we focus on giving you the tools, awareness, and community to manage cravings over time. Long-term craving support includes:
We also help you plan for high-risk moments and build lifestyle changes that reduce the frequency and power of cravings. These tools become part of your relapse prevention plan, alongside ongoing counselling, group support, and aftercare through our Hader at Home app.
Leaving residential care doesn’t mean facing recovery alone. In fact, we believe that aftercare is just as important as inpatient rehab treatment. That’s why we offer:
We stay connected with you through every phase, helping you adjust your relapse prevention tools, rebuild confidence, and stay anchored in recovery. Many of our clients say the support they received after leaving care was the key to long-term sobriety.
Yes, and you’re not alone in that. Many of us have relapsed too. More than once. Relapse isn’t a failure; it’s feedback. It shows us what wasn’t working, what still hurts, and where we need more support. At The Hader Clinic, we meet you with compassion, not judgment. We revisit your relapse prevention plan, rebuild your support system, and help you work through the thoughts and triggers that led to this moment. No matter how many times you’ve tried, we’ll help you try again with new insight, new tools, and people who truly get it.
It starts with understanding that relapse isn’t about weakness. It’s about pain. People who relapse aren’t giving up. They’re overwhelmed. The best thing you can do is stay open and connected. Gently encourage them to talk about what happened, without jumping to fix it. Offer to help them contact a treatment provider, go to a meeting, or revisit their relapse prevention plan. At The Hader Clinic, we also support families through education, counselling, and honest conversations about boundaries, enabling, and recovery. You don’t have to do this alone, either.
The most important thing is to stay connected. After a relapse, people often feel ashamed, scared, and alone. Your role isn’t to fix them. It’s to remind them they’re still worth loving, and that help is still possible. Listen without interrupting. Encourage them to reach out to a treatment provider. Set boundaries if you need to, but don’t shut them out. At The Hader Clinic, we also offer family counselling and support so you can look after your own wellbeing while staying involved in recovery.
Yes. In fact, many people we support are living at home, working, or caring for others while still actively managing relapse risks. You don’t have to re-enter residential rehab to stay committed to recovery. We offer flexible options like outpatient rehab, peer support groups, and digital tools through the Hader at Home program. You can also join weekly relapse prevention planning sessions to stay grounded, supported, and proactive. Whether you’re coming out of a tough patch or simply need to feel more anchored, there are ways to reconnect without stepping away from your whole life.
Our guides and blogs help people understand addiction, learn about signs of alcohol dependence, and find the rehab that works for them.
Private Health Clients
$0 admissions available for eligible private health clients with top gold cover *subject to availability.
Non-Private Health Clients
$6,990 per month. Clients required to be 7 days sober prior to admission (at home or at our facility).
