DVA Rehab: Addiction Treatment For Veterans

All admissions are subject to prior approval from the Department of Veteran Affairs Health Approvals Board.

Once you have been assessed and approved by the Southern Highlands team, we put through an application to DVA approvals.

This generally takes between 1 to 4 weeks for funding to be approved, in some circumstances, it may be longer, but we will work with you and your advocate to fast-track this as much as possible.

If you are having trouble accessing information regarding your DVA arrangements, please contact our team.

The consistent feedback we receive from Veterans is that the non-clinical ‘feel’ of our rehab, our location in beautiful natural surroundings, with plenty of open green space and opportunity to be part of a trauma-aware community, supports them to relax quickly, settle into the programme and the deeper work needed to succeed in long term recovery. Additionally, having access outside of individual and group therapy to a diverse range of activities adapted to suit all abilities, plus the onsite gym and PT sessions, infra-red sauna, pool and adjunctive therapies like yoga, tai-chi, meditation, art therapy, pottery, all assist Veterans in regaining their physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.

Participants are required to have their medical practitioner complete a treatment prior approval request document along with an accompanying referral letter. Once approved on our end, Southern Highlands will provide this document.

Detoxification (detox) is a process that removes unwanted substances from the body of the addict, which may take about a week. Rehabilitation (rehab) may include detox at the beginning but generally refers to further work focused on building the capacity of the patient to live a healthy life, into the future, with the addiction under control.

Some weekly activities will be undertaken outside the facility. These will be supervised by staff.

On occasions, a guest may request leave with supervision or with family. This is decided on a case-by-case basis by our rehabilitation consultant.

Should a guest choose to leave during their stay without our consent they may not be allowed to return.

Guests attend on a voluntary basis.

Guests commit to participate in all activities.

Unfortunately, we cannot treat people with serious unmanaged mental illness or a significant history of perpetrating violence.

Our program is for a minimum of 28 days (4 weeks) but we encourage you to stay for 12 weeks if you can. Some guests stay longer. Studies have shown that 90 day rehab is more than twice as successful in achieving long-term recovery as shorter periods. However, we also understand that it may be extremely difficult for you to take that amount of time out of your life and so our program starts at 28 days, to balance effectiveness with what you may be able to manage. We only want to have you as our guest once and we are serious about you getting your life free of addiction.

Should you not feel ready to leave after 12 weeks we will happily discuss extending your stay. If however, we feel that an extended stay would not necessarily assist you we will advise an alternative course of treatment. Additional time will need to be requested through Health Approvals.

Yes and No. Whilst we are not a 12-step program, we recognise that the 12 steps are beneficial for many people. And so, we provide opportunities for guests to participate in 12-step meetings. At Southern Highlands we are constantly striving for evidence-based best practices so we try to adopt the best of all treatment philosophies including certain parts of the 12-step process. We have a holistic approach to make you mentally and physically strong and healthy so you can beat addiction forever.

The healthier you are before you come to Southern Highlands the easier your life-changing journey will be. Try to eat well, sleep well, exercise and minimise or stop any unhealthy habits as early as possible before you come to us.

Above all, please come to Southern Highlands with an open mind and a genuine desire to give 100% to your recovery.

Addiction medication will be addressed as part of the entry procedures.

No unboxed or non-prescribed medications are allowed – any brought will be confiscated.

Unfortunately, no. We already have a number of animals at Southern Highlands.

Coffee is available. However, in the afternoon and evening, we recommend only decaf or herbal teas. We want to make sure that you can relax and get a good sleep at night.

We strongly discourage romantic relationships. You have more than enough to deal with in terms of overcoming your addiction without having to negotiate a new relationship. Most relationships that begin in rehab do not last. In fact, starting a relationship can be a subconscious way of avoiding dealing with what you need to. Any sexual activity between guests can be a reason for exclusion from the program.

Guests may bring their phone, laptop or tablet. We do not restrict access, other than during therapy, activities and meal times. However, if you wish to make the most of our program we encourage you to limit using these devices or to even give it to us for safe-keeping. Spending excessive time on your phone or devices can become an easy way to subconsciously avoid the important personal work involved with your recovery.

The best coverage is available with Telstra (or Telstra related providers such as Aldi Mobile and Belong) and Optus. Vodafone is either limited or does not work on our property. Other providers not listed may not have service, please be aware and prepared for potential reception problems.

Internet/WiFi access is provided to all guests unless the clinical staff advise otherwise. Given our location, access may suffer disruption at times. Due to the fact that we are on a satellite connection, data is limited and not suitable for video streaming.

Involuntary discharge The management of Southern Highlands reserves the right to discharge any client from our treatment program, and no refund will be given, for any of the following reasons:

• A guest is found to be intoxicated (with alcohol or drugs) during their stay at our facility or is in possession of any alcohol or non-prescribed drugs. This includes refusal to take a drug test or alcohol test.

• A guest causes disruption to the treatment program and/or disturbs the treatment of other clients during their stay. This includes, but is not limited to, inappropriate behaviour, theft, and the breaking of federal or state laws.

• Refusal to comply with the treatment program. This includes but is not limited to, leaving the property without approval, leaving the group without approval when on an excursion, serious non-participation or active undermining of the program.

• Undisclosed acute mental illness or criminal history.

• A guest is found to be medically or psychologically unstable/ unfit to stay in the program. (In this situation, a refund will be considered on a case-by-case basis).

• Any sexual activity between guests.

You must arrive before 2 pm on your scheduled day of admission. Our admission day is Monday (prior to 2 pm) and no admission will be expected on other days or at later times.

On arrival, if we find you have withheld important relevant information, you will not be admitted.

On arrival, if we assess your condition to be high risk, we will refer you to a medical detox facility or mental health facility, for your own wellbeing.

Yes, we are a veteran owner operator and accredited rehabilitation provider. We understand your unique needs and can help you get the support you might not find at hospital or other rehab management facilities.

Absolutely, we welcome all veterans and DVA clients with open arms.