Odyssey House NSW

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 States 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).

Odyssey Team Class of 2025! It was great to end the year by coming together for our annual Staff Development Day. 🎉 The ...
22/12/2025

Odyssey Team Class of 2025! It was great to end the year by coming together for our annual Staff Development Day. 🎉

The day was an opportunity for Odyssey teams across NSW to celebrate another year of impact.

It was a privilege to welcome several special guests. The Honourable Linda Burney delivered an inspiring address and Q&A on the importance of Reconciliation and creating culturally safe environments.

The incredible Sydney Street Choir filled the room with energy and joy during their interactive singing workshop! They are a musical community that supports people dealing with homelessness, mental illness, addiction and/or social disadvantage.

A big thank you to everyone in the Odyssey team for all the hard work this year!

22/12/2025

Thank you for your support this year! Our Year in Review shares how our services are evolving, alongside powerful stories of courage, resilience and recovery.

As demand for support grows, Odyssey continues to adapt and innovate -keeping the people we support and the quality of care we deliver at the centre of all we do.

Read more about our impact here: https://odysseyhouse.com.au/about-us/our-impact/ -2025

💙 Holiday Support Update Christmas can be a challenging time for many people, particularly those impacted by alcohol and...
19/12/2025

💙 Holiday Support Update

Christmas can be a challenging time for many people, particularly those impacted by alcohol and other drug use. Odyssey will still be providing treatment and support during the holiday period; however, our Referral Advice & Guidance Line will operate on reduced hours.

If you would like to register for a group or need support for substance use issues, please call our Referral Advice and Guidance Line during our opening hours on 1800 397 739.

Outside of these hours, help is still available through the additional support services we’ve listed below. There is always someone to talk to.

Lifeline - 13 11 14
National Alcohol & Other Drug Hotline - 1800 250 015
Beyond Blue - 1300 22 4636
1800 RESPECT - 1800 737 732

Wishing everyone a safe and restful holiday season. 💙

18/12/2025

Christmas can be a difficult time for families affected by alcohol or other drug dependencies; the effects of addiction are often felt by the whole family, and we understand how hard the holiday period can be.

The Odyssey team works hard to support families to navigate rebuilding relationships, listen as we share how your donation can make a difference this Christmas.

💙Donate now - https://bit.ly/3Yxhojc

✨ The Summer 25/26 edition of Odyssey News is here ✨ This issue brings you a snapshot of what’s been happening across Od...
18/12/2025

✨ The Summer 25/26 edition of Odyssey News is here ✨

This issue brings you a snapshot of what’s been happening across Odyssey.

Inside, you’ll find a Q&A with Anthony, one of our Friends and Family Case Workers and a behind-the-scenes look at how the kitchen team at our Residential Centre prepares for the holidays.

💙 Read the latest edition and stay connected with life at Odyssey - https://odysseyhouse.com.au/news-stories/odyssey-news-2025-2026-summer-newsletter/

✨ ICAP Charity Day 2025 ✨ We’re excited to have Jackie O join us today at ICAP Charity Day ! Jackie has visited our Resi...
11/12/2025

✨ ICAP Charity Day 2025 ✨

We’re excited to have Jackie O join us today at ICAP Charity Day ! Jackie has visited our Residential Centre and met many of the clients in recovery, and her support means so much to our community. Today she jumped on the phone with the ICAP brokers and helped close deals to raise vital funds for our renovation project.

Here’s what she had to say about why she’s chosen to back our renovation project:

“I know how difficult overcoming addiction can be. After visiting Odyssey’s Residential Centre and meeting clients in recovery, I saw firsthand what a special place it is. They’re doing incredible, life-changing work for people and families who really need that support. Being part of ICAP Charity Day is a fun and meaningful way to get behind Odyssey and help raise funds for the renovations that will make their Recovery Centre an even more supportive environment.”

A big thank you to Jackie O and ICAP Charity Day for standing alongside us and helping raise vital funds for the people and families we support every day.

💙 Congratulations to Clifford Cutmore, one of Odyssey’s Aboriginal Liaison AOD Treatment Workers, for winning the ACDAN ...
09/12/2025

💙 Congratulations to Clifford Cutmore, one of Odyssey’s Aboriginal Liaison AOD Treatment Workers, for winning the ACDAN 2025 Male Worker of the Year Award! 💙

ACDAN - the Aboriginal Community Drug & Alcohol Network - celebrates excellence in Aboriginal-led alcohol and other drug work across NSW. Each year, they recognise workers who demonstrate leadership, cultural strength, and exceptional support for their communities.

This award recognises Uncle Clifford’s deadly contribution to supporting Aboriginal clients on their recovery journey, and his commitment to creating culturally safe, respectful and empowering spaces in the Mingu Yabun Program.

Clifford would like to dedicate his award to the community members that he supports.

We are incredibly proud to have Clifford as part of the team 💙

We recently welcomed some of our valued donors and partners to our Redfern office for a special breakfast event, as a th...
09/12/2025

We recently welcomed some of our valued donors and partners to our Redfern office for a special breakfast event, as a thank you for their ongoing support.

As part of the morning, guests were invited to tour our dedicated Odyssey College Showcase – Seen & Heard. The installation showcased artwork and poetry created by Odyssey College students throughout the year. Some pieces reflect personal insight, connection to Culture and moments of healing; others are simply
joyful explorations of nature, colour, form and imagination.

In addition to the showcase, guests heard from a recent Odyssey graduate, who shared their powerful story of recovery and the difference community support can make.

💙 Thank you to everyone who continues to support our work. Your generosity and support helps us to create brighter futures the individuals, families, and communities we support.

Odyssey House NSW’s Senior Manager of Residential Services, Sarah Adams, recently attended The Australasian Therapeutic ...
08/12/2025

Odyssey House NSW’s Senior Manager of Residential Services, Sarah Adams, recently attended The Australasian Therapeutic Communities Association (ATCA) Conference. The conference brings together leaders, clinicians, researchers and lived experience voices to strengthen the impact of therapeutic communities across Australia and New Zealand.

Odyssey sponsors the James A Pitts Oration, which is a keynote address established in honour of one of Australia’s most influential leaders in therapeutic communities and Odyssey’s former CEO. It recognises significant contributions to the field and provides a platform for thought-provoking insights that shape the future of AOD treatment.

💙 Thank you to ATCA for hosting such an insightful and inspiring event.

🎄 This Christmas, you can bring more families back together 💙 Christmas is often a time for coming together and celebrat...
03/12/2025

🎄 This Christmas, you can bring more families back together 💙

Christmas is often a time for coming together and celebrating with family. But for those supporting loved ones with alcohol or other drug dependency, like Rebecca, it can also be a painful reminder of who’s missing around the table.

Last Christmas was the first in many years that Rebecca’s husband, Greg, wasn’t there. His struggle with alcohol dependency had taken a heavy toll, and Rebecca made the heartbreaking decision to protect herself and their young children by creating distance.

With support from Odyssey House NSW, Greg entered treatment and Rebecca received guidance through our Family and Friends Program. This year, their family is preparing to spend Christmas together again.

Donate now - https://bit.ly/3MnOH5z

Odyssey House NSW recently participated in the Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs (APSAD) 2025...
27/11/2025

Odyssey House NSW recently participated in the Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs (APSAD) 2025 Conference, the peak gathering for AOD research, practice, and policy across Australia and New Zealand. The conference brings together clinicians, researchers, service providers, and lived-experience advocates to share knowledge and strengthen the sector.

Rakib Islam, AOD Treatment Worker (CALD Specialist), presented on the use of ATOP and K10+ outcome measures in multicultural AOD counselling. Rakib highlighted the importance of culturally responsive practice, the challenges of applying standardised tools with CALD communities, and the opportunities these measures create for improving care and client outcomes.

David Kelly, Executive Director – Programs, chaired an important session focused on integrating lived and living experience into AOD research. His leadership helped spotlight the value of collaboration, co-design, and ensuring that client voices directly shape the evidence and services that support them.

We’re proud to see Odyssey’s work represented on a national stage. Thank you APSAD for creating a space for meaningful discussion, connection, and sector-wide learning.

Address

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

Telephone

1800 397 739

Website

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

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Odyssey House in New South Wales was founded in 1977 by Sydney businessman, Walter McGrath, following the death of his son from a he**in 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 States of America to Australia. He opened Odyssey House in Sydney on 30 October 1977. 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).