Odyssey House NSW

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Odyssey House NSW

Trauma-informed alcohol and drug rehabilitation programs, education and support in New South Wales. He opened Odyssey House in Sydney on 30 October 1977.

Odyssey House in New South Wales was founded in 1977 by Sydney businessman, Walter McGrath, following the death of his son from a heroin overdose. As a testament to his son, Mr McGrath committed himself to finding a program to help other people who suffered from problems with drug dependence. Mr McGrath brought the Odyssey House concept of long term residential rehabilitation from the United State

s of America to Australia. From humble beginnings, the program has expanded to be one of the largest and most successful alcohol and other drug rehabilitation services in Australia. More than 35,000 people have been assisted over the past 40 years. Today, Odyssey House provides a diverse range of services from The Withdrawal Unit, Parents and Children’s Program, MERIT (Magistrates Early Referrals Into Treatment program), residential rehabilitation, numeracy and literacy education and community based services. Odyssey House aims to build safe and healthy communities by minimising the harmful effects of alcohol and other drugs on the person’s health and by extension our society. We have a holistic treatment model that focuses on the person and helping them develop skills to cope with the underlying reasons they resorted to alcohol and other drug use. This often involves changing the habits of a lifetime and teaching self –awareness, responsibility, self-care to practical skills that have been missed due to addiction such as numeracy and literacy, life skills such as cooking and eating healthy food, budgeting and parenting. Odyssey House complements the direction of the National Drug Strategy (NDS) and aligns with the health and community goals of the NSW Government’s NSW 2021 plan. The organisation is closely linked to the Network of Alcohol and Other Drugs Agencies (NADA), and the Australian Therapeutic Communities Association (ATCA).

09/09/2026

Today is International Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Day.

FASD is a lifelong disability that can affect learning, behaviour, communication, and daily life. It can look different for every person, and the challenges someone experiences are not always visible or well understood.

Misinformation and stigma can leave people with FASD, parents and families feeling judged or reluctant to seek support.

We understand that people’s circumstances are complex. Support may involve alcohol and other drug treatment, parenting and family services, or help with the broader challenges affecting their lives.

By learning more, challenging misconceptions and responding without judgement, we can help create a more understanding and supportive community.

Learn more about language here -https://www.nofasd.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/FASD-HUB-Australia-Language-Guide.pdf

07/09/2026

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are advised that this post contains the name and image of a person who has passed away.

Vale Uncle Ivan Wellington

Together, we honour and celebrate the life and legacy of Uncle Ivan Wellington, a respected Dharawal man whose wisdom, generosity, leadership and dedication to helping others made a lasting contribution to Odyssey House NSW and the wider community.

Uncle Ivan was committed to supporting others and strengthening his community. Through the knowledge, guidance, and care he shared so generously, he made a significant difference in the lives of many people and helped create positive change that will continue to be felt.

Together, Aunty Leonie and Uncle Ivan were also an important part of the beginnings of Mingu Yabun, generously sharing their knowledge, guidance and support over many years.

We extend our sincere condolences to Aunty Leonie, Uncle Ivan’s family, friends, and community at this very sad time.

31/08/2026

Overdose doesn’t always look the way people expect.

The latest findings from Penington Institute’s Annual Overdose Report 2026 challenge some common assumptions about who is affected by overdose.

Most overdose deaths are unintentional. Many involve prescription medicines and multiple substances. For the first time, people aged 50–59 recorded the highest number of unintentional overdose deaths.

It’s a reminder that overdose can affect people of any age, background or circumstance - including people we know and care about.

This International Overdose Awareness Day, we remember the people who have died, and acknowledge the families, friends and communities who carry that loss.

Reducing stigma, increasing awareness, and knowing how to respond in an emergency can help save lives.

Naloxone can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. It is available through the Take Home Naloxone Program across NSW https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/2e685f89d4e94b05b6ee5f61fff7149c.

If you think someone may be experiencing an overdose, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.

Read the full report: https://www.penington.org.au/reports-and-submissions/

27/08/2026

Register for this year’s Odyssey Open Day!

Join us as we celebrate 49 years of Odyssey House NSW, with our Graduation Ceremony marking one of the most meaningful moments of the day as we recognise the achievements of our clients and graduates.

There will be plenty happening for the whole family too, with a petting zoo, BBQ, fairy floss, live music and more.

📅 Date: Sunday 15 November 2026
📍 Location: 13A Moonstone Place, Eagle Vale
⏰ Time: 11:00am – 3:00pm (Graduation Ceremony 1pm – 2pm)

We can’t wait to celebrate with the Odyssey community!

Register here - https://bit.ly/3UleCir

11/08/2026

When local services work together, it becomes easier for people to know where to start and where to turn for help.

We are proud to be involved in the Neighbourhood Health Hubs initiative, working with Sydney North Health Network and partners across Ryde, Hornsby and the Northern Beaches come together to explore how care could be better connected around people’s needs.

This next stage brings together providers, community members, people with lived experience, health professionals and other local voices to help co-design the first prototype! An exciting step toward more connected, community-informed care.

For Odyssey, this is an important opportunity to help ensure alcohol and other drug support is considered alongside mental health, physical health, family circumstances and broader community needs from the outset.

As our CEO Carmel Tebbutt says: “Supporting a person’s clinical, psychosocial and community needs together leads to better and longer-term outcomes.”

Sydney North Health Network, Child Development Solutions Australia, Empowering Parents in Crisis, Gidget Foundation Australia, Grand Pacific Health, Lifeline Northern Beaches, Mission Australia, New Horizons, Primary and Community Care Services, Proveda, Relationships Australia NSW, SDECC Youth AOD Counselling, STARTTS, Street Side Medics and Uniting.

03/08/2026

One in five Odyssey clients experienced housing instability before accessing our services.

This Homelessness Week, we're talking about a critical part of recovery that often gets overlooked: what happens after residential treatment?

Leaving residential rehabilitation is a significant achievement, but rebuilding life in the community can come with new challenges. Stable housing can play an important role in helping people maintain recovery and work towards their future goals.

Odyssey's Re-Entry Housing provides a supported step between residential rehabilitation and independent living. As part of our Continuing Care Program, clients continue to receive case management and recovery support while they rebuild routines, strengthen community connections and work towards long-term stability.

29/07/2026

What does our Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan mean for Odyssey?

We asked members of our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Working Group to share their perspectives on the plan, why it matters, and what they want to see come from it.

The group has played an important role in developing our Reflect RAP and considering what reconciliation means across our services, workplaces and the way we work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Hear from some of the people involved in shaping the plan and what they hope it will mean for Odyssey.

Read Odyssey's RAP here - https://bit.ly/3RGOHAB

27/07/2026

Our annual Staff Development Days give teams across Odyssey time to step away from day-to-day work and focus on shared learning.

Our Community, Multicultural and CDAT teams heard from colleagues and guest speakers working across the alcohol and other drugs sector.

Our Corporate teams took part in practical sessions focused on team development, AI best practice and workplace communication.

These days are a great way to stay connected to each other and to the cause.

22/07/2026

A huge thank you to Modern Star for your generous donation of toys to our Family Recovery Centre.

These gifts brought so much excitement and joy to the children staying in the program and helped create special moments for families during their recovery journey.

For children living at the Family Recovery Centre, having toys to play with helps make the space feel more like home. It also gives parents more opportunities to connect with their children and have fun!

We are grateful for the kindness Modern Star has shown to the children and families in our program 💙.

20/07/2026

We loved being part of NAIDOC Week celebrations across Sydney this year 🖤💛❤️.

The Odyssey team hosted stalls at events in Mount Druitt, Campbelltown, and Penrith, joining local communities to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and the significance of NAIDOC Week.

It was wonderful to meet so many people, take part in the celebrations, and share more about the support available through Odyssey.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by to say hello, and to the organisers who created such welcoming spaces for the community to come together.

Address

Ground Floor 2/199 Regent Street Redfern
Sydney, NSW
2016

Telephone

1800 397 739

Website

https://odysseyhouse.com.au/, https://give.odysseyhouse.com.au/

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