I was broken, unable to live without using and had no real realtionships except for the one i had with my dealer. The start was excrutiating. The first month was the most diffcult 4 weeks of my life but i had one thing. A little glimmer of hope. Thank you for putting up with me and persisting. If you hadn't have fought for me in the early days i would be still using and complelty disconnected from my family. I now have those relationships back, (although they are a work in progress) and can be hard to manage at times but i am clear headed and in my recovery. Finished the 12 steps with my sponsor in the first 12 months and now living with purpose giving back when i can. I wish i had of known about this stuff 20 years ago.
NC
2022
Thank you
I am now 18 months clean due to you. Cannot tell you the gratitude i feel toward Sober Living Rehab Staff
Anonymous
2021
Sober Living Rehab
Thank you. With Covid Lock downs the stress of getting my daughter into a safe enviroment was a night mare until i called Belinda. Her support initially for our family was incompariable to other services i had contacted during 2021. Then once we had a bed made available the process was seamless. We new it was going to be a tough journey for our daughter and it was for all of us. But the patience and support our family received during her 6 month stay was just unbelievable. Although Jess had a lapse during her stay she was welcomed back and shown that a lapse can simply be a part of the learning she needed to continue.
Jess is now over 12 months sober and if it wasnt for Sober Living I do not know where we would be at. Our family is back communicating healthily, we have learnt about boundaries that have helped Jess and us and we now know how to support our baby when she is struggling. This is just the beginning but we are defiantely on the road to recovery as a family.
Thank you Belinda, Sidd and the rest of the staff
Fantastic program and loving caring staff. 3 months treatment helped set me up to tackle life drug free and with new life skills
Thanks to Sidd especially.
RB
2021
Sober Living Rehab was a very comfortable and supportive experience. I learned much more than just 12 Step recovery and gained tools i use in everyday life. I highly recommend this small and personal environment. The staff are invested and knowledgeable and great to get along with.
LH
2020
Sober Living Drug & Alcohol Rehab has been a great experience and I am thankful to have been there, all the staff were very helpful when it came to my recovery and providing me the tools to be successful.
All of the staff I believe there is a great group of people with a great deal of experience that will help you find your way back to recovery if you seek it. Sober Living offers a great program that helps a lot of struggling addicts and alcoholics by providing the structure and discipline in helping them get and stay sober.
After completing a 3 month program I have a positive attitude and am blessed to have been at Sober Living Drug & Alcohol Rehab. It is truly helping me! Thank you to all at Sober Living Drug & Alcohol Rehab.
RH
2020
Can not thank the owners and staff at sober living enough , complete professionalism from every member there
I spent 3 months at the rehab for drug addiction and best decision I have made , they have pointed me back in the right direction and would highly recommend them if you suffer from substance abuse.
SR
2020
The task of finding your loved one the right place for recovery can be daunting. When Gavin answered my first call to Sober Living I was instantly at ease and confident Sober Living was the right fit.
My sons stay at Sober Living was the turning point in his recovery!
Belinda, Gavin and Sidd are truly passionate about what they do and their genuine care, faith and support is inspiring to witness. It is with that support and the Sober Living program that has given my son life skills that he now puts into practice to be the best version of himself.
I am eternally grateful and forever thankful.
2020
Dear Sober Living
How to do you thank someone for the life of your child other we will be forever grateful to Sober Living for the return of our beautiful daughter and my sanity.
We thought we had lost our daughter to addiction and my sanity to the madness that surrounds this disease. Sober living provided the education and support for our daughter for over two years but importantly also for us learning that all the things we were doing that you would think are normal as a parent were actually not helping but in fact enabling the addiction to continue.
Though we never gave up hope we could not fathom how to navigate the situation we found ourselves in. Thank you so much for answering my calls at 11pm at night, taking away the fear of losing our daughter and giving us all our lives back. We hope that the good work you do can grow and continue to help many more families.
Parents - Michele & Peter
2020
To the Addict struggling,
Sober Living rehab provided a safe space for me to work through my mental health, past trauma and substance abuse issues. The counselling and genuine care that I received here helped me regain my hope in a better future for myself.
I now have the tools to live drug and alcohol free and in touch with an occasionally chaotic inner world without being dictated to by it. If you are suffering from addiction I recommend Sober Living, in conjunction with your own willingness, as a good way to help change your life.
Daniel
2020
Hi Belinda,
I wanted to message you personally to express my thanks for the care and support you have shown Billy in his time with you at SLR. Billy’s move to SLR was the turning point in his recovery and I am eternally gratefully for the care and support he received, along with the family support offered there has been so much healing.
Watching Billy’s addiction worsen over time was the most difficult thing I have ever had to do, there is saying that a mother is only ever as happy as her saddest child and for so long i lived with that overwhelming sense of sadness, which thankfully has now lifted. Never giving up hope of recovery was the easy part, not an option! SLR has made recovery possible, watching his personal growth and positive outlook on his future makes me so incredibly proud of him and all the hard work he has put in. All made possible with the support from all at SLR but with special mention to Sidd and yourself.
Its been a pleasure to meet and work with Sidd, his help and support for all of us amazing! He has a wonderful smile and amazing positive energy.
Billy speaks so highly of you and there is no doubt in my mind that your genuine connection, support, faith and encouragement have made such a positive impact on not only his recovery but his personal development, self esteem and positive outlook on the future. How do you thank someone for giving them their son back! words just don't seem enough. With all my heart, thank you.
Grateful mum
2020
Hi Gavin
I wanted to raise something this morning but wasn’t sure it was appropriate.
I wanted to sincerely thank you for the initial contact. I remember well where I was when you called me for the first and we discussed Paul. It gave me much hope there would be a path forward for Paul. Had you not called, I’m not sure we’re we’d now be. It was an extremely difficult period!!
Knowing you have your own family health issues, highlighted your unwavering efforts to help others. Vanessa and I were so very happy you called that early Saturday morning. She was with me at the time and I couldn’t believe you took the time. I was pumped and excited.
I’m confident you and Belinda will be able to keep Paul on track.
Thank you from an appreciative brother.
CM
2023
In 2017 one of my best mates was struggling with his drug addiction.
His family and our circle of friends had tried many times to find a suitable treatment facility and kept coming up short. We then were made aware of Sober Living Drug & Alcohol Rehab in early 2018 and from the moment we made the first call to Gavin we were greeted with a genuine sense of relief knowing that he and his team had the expertise and care to help turn our friend's life around and point him in the right direction to sobriety.
I would highly recommend giving Gavin and his team a call to discuss if their offering is right for you and your loved one.
Troy Z
2020
We can't speak highly enough about the staff and program at Sober Living Rehabilitation.
Our son entered the program in February 2020 with a range of issues related to drug addiction. The care and treatment he has received since then has been exceptional. Despite setbacks along the way, the team at Sober Living have demonstrated real compassion and care for his long term recovery.
The program is tailored to suit each individual and the facility feels more like a family home. As well as their care for our son, they have always included us, as a family, in the recovery process. Over this difficult period, we have developed excellent personal relationships with Belinda, Gavin and Sidd. We can't thank them enough for giving us the greatest gift of all - our son.
Megan, Paul & Family
2020
We found Sober living rehab to be very supportive for our son and created a safe and positive environment. The support given to us as a family was excellent
JZ
2020
Cant express how awesome these guys are in words.. Sober living got me my life back and has given me the foundation to do things I only ever dreamt of when I was battling with addiction. Staff are so caring and loving I look back on my memories here very fondly.
BW
2019
My family is extremely grateful to the Sober Living Team for giving us back our son. Gavin, Belinda and the team provided a supportive, caring, safe and structured environment which enabled him to identify and address his issues and begin to heal.
PW
2019
Came here directly from my first hospital admission. I was petrified of getting clean but more petrified of dying a lonely, premature death.
The team at Sober Living not only gave me the tools to live clean but let me delicately and lovingly sort through three decades of pain and despair. I now live in each day, face life head on and have a hope for my future I never thought possible. I'm back working full time, have sustainable relationships, am genuinely content and best of all, I no longer have to use!
It's all thanks to Sober Living Rehab and their model of trauma informed care. I will forever be indebted to you guys. Couldn't recommend higher! Peace and love :)
Sam H
2019
To Belinda, Gavin, Sidd & Team,
One year ago Ben came to you looking for help with his addiction, he was a lost soul and his life was in turmoil. Thanks to your support and safe environment he was able to grow and discover the Ben he use to be.
He is working, looking after himself, keeps fit, and has even run a marathon! Most importantly he has rebuilt relationships with his family. We can't thank you enough for helping to give our son back to us.
Love from a grateful mother
T & P
2019
Words can not express how grateful I am to the Sober Living Rehab for helping my young son get back on track into living a healthy and happy life.
The programs are beautifully tailored to cater to each individual’s needs and the houses are warm, cozy and welcoming, but the greatest strength of the Sober Living Rehab are the people. The team of staff are the most authentic, kind, caring people whom are clearly driven by their passion to help make a difference in people’s lives.
The support they gave to my son was and is incredibly nurturing. They are more like a family than staff and yet at the same time very professional and well equipped to deal with the challenges that present.
My son felt so at home and loved during his stay at the Sober Living and continues to receive such heart felt care in the out patient program. I, as a family member, also received and continue to receive a great deal of support from the staff. As a parent we can feel at a loss as to how we can help our children whom are dealing with addiction and trauma. The staff helped guide me during the toughest times and gave me the strength to learn how to help my son instead of enabling him. They also supported all the other key members of the my son’s family, bringing family unity which was invaluable in the process of healing my son.
I am deeply pleased knowing that the Sober Living is helping other people find their way back to happiness. Knowing that there are people out there that genuinely care gives me great hope and peace.
Thank you Sober Living for giving my son his life back.
Lisa B
November 2019
All Families think it won't happen to them.
One of my grandchildren became a drug addict and the impact on him and all the members of the family was negative beyond comprehension.
At the tender age of 19 he lost all interest in life other than drugs and the prognostication was very severe. We managed to get him into rehab centre in Thailand that proved disastrous because he had near death experience with overdosing, then Thailand hospitals, etc. He then was in rehab in America.
What saved his life was 'Sober Living Rehab'. Unlike any other rehab centres, Sober Living provide a focus for the patients lives and real caring and love. In particular the principle Belinda Walsh, an amazing lady. I have attended family days at Sober Living and you can feel the positive energy and the concern of all of the people that work there. They deeply care about their patients and create an environment of healing.
Miraculously Solomon is now many months clean and we have every reason as a family to be optimistic for the future of our beautiful young man. Not possible with out Sober Living and Belinda Walsh igniting with in him a zest for life
Grateful Grand Dad
November 2019
I have been involved with Belinda and Gavin from Sober living for several years now as a parent of an adult daughter with drug addiction and substance abuse issues.
The integrity, professionalism and care I have both witnessed and received from Belinda, Gavin and all the sober living staff has been amazing. The ongoing research, study and training undertaken by Belinda, Gavin and the staff is evident by the service they provide to such a varied and complex group of individuals battling with addiction.
On a personal level, it is difficult to put into words how grateful we are as a family, to Belinda and Gavin. The love, support and guidance they have given to not only our daughter, but to us as a family has been incredible.
It never ceases to amaze me how calm, dedicated, patient and caring they are on a daily basis, with the complexities and fragility of the people and situations they face.
The safe and loving environment they have created at Sober Living, along with the clinical and psychological healing is an absolute credit to Belinda and Gavin and without them, our Daughter would not be 18 months clean and sober and doing so well in her recovery.
Our communities need more people like this, they exceed any expectations I ever had, with their total commitment to healing those with addiction and guiding them into long term recovery
I can’t thank them enough.
Yours Sincerely
Sue D - Grateful parent
15th July 2019
To whom it may concern,
Gavin Crosisca from Sober Living Rehab has been speaking to Year 9 students at Beaconhills on our Drug Education day for the past three years.
Gavin has a knack for sharing his personal experiences with drug addiction in a way that both humanises drug users, at the same time as highlighting the importance of resisting peer pressure and saying ’no’ to drugs.
As a former Collingwood footballer, Gavin’s ability to reach potentially at-risk teenage boys is unparalleled in the field of Drug Education.
I would highly recommend booking Gavin to share his experiences as part of any school’s Drug Education program.
Yours Sincerely,
Glen Haywood,
Year 9 teacher, Beaconhills College.
March 2019
There is absolutely no doubt in my mind, Sober Living saved my life. Sober Living was a safe place for me to be broken and messy after years of drug addiction, toxic relationships and feeling worthless. Belinda, Gav and Sidd loved me back to life and held me up when i couldn't hold my self.
The gentle guidance they have given me, and all the members of my beautiful family has helped us rebuild the love, trust and happiness we lost over those years and how i genuinely feel a part of my family again. Sober living has helped me put down drugs and alcohol and stop, to appreciate the simple and beautiful things in life. I can now say i actually like the women i see in the mirror and if not for Belinda, Gav and Sidd i'm sure that would not be the case. They have helped me to live and love again.
I will be forever grateful.
Sober Living Alumni member - Kate D
July 2019
Spent almost 12 months at Sober Living Rehab here in 2018 with great support from my mum.
After years of abusing myself with no care at all i have also been able to reconnect with my mum who was always there to pick up the pieces when i could not. When i arrived i was just existing day by day, drug by drug. It wasn't just what i learnt through Sober Living Rehab but what my family learnt, especially my mum regarding boundaries with love, looking after her self and enabling my poor behavior.
Was a great experience with awesome staff and a great approach to getting clean while making a new life for yourself. I am almost 2 years clean and haven't looked back.
Would highly recommend.
JB
2018
When I arrived at Sober Living I was a shell of a person. I was battling severe effects of both alcohol and drug abuse after using for over 12 years starting in high school.
I was suffering from drug induced psychosis, I was on the cusp of spending time in jail and I had lost all contact with family and friends up to this point and had a son I was not allowed to see.
I had overdosed 4 times and had been hospitalized on several occasions in the months before being admitted into the care of the team at Sober.
Who i was as a person I did not not know anymore. I was confused, had lost touch of reality and had no level of confidence.
Over the next 6 months under the care of Gavin and Belinda and the team at Sober I was gently guided through my early recovery with love, care and understanding. I was taught how to budget financially, look after myself domestically, express myself in a safe and caring community. One step at a time I was able top rediscover a zest for life and develop close relationships with family members and loved ones under the guidance of Sidd, Gavin, Belinda and other staff members through one on one and group counselling.
I am now over 18 months clean and sober, I have a growing small business, I am married and have a loving support network made up of family and friends. I have made contact with my son and regularly stay in contact with members of the Sober Living family.
Belinda, Gavin and the team not only saved my life but they paved the way to me making the best out of it and I will never forget what they have done for me.
Sober Living Alumni member - Sam B
2018
Prior to arriving at Sober Living Housing I had been trying to get clean and sober for a decade without much success. I was a poly-substance abuser for 35 years. My drug of choice - everything! There were many negative consequence's as a result of my addiction including fractured relationships, physical and mental conditions, homelessness, an itinerant lifestyle, trouble with the law and a suicide attempt. I wanted to turn my life around.
Belinda, Gav and their team of recovery specialists provided me the opportunity to get well in a dignified, caring environment and equally important, live a happy and healthy life moving forward. Their knowledge and experience regarding addiction, intervention and recovery is world-class. I can vouch for their integrity and professionalism. I am grateful for the time spent at Sober Living and the ongoing connection I have. I will be two years clean and sober on May 5th. Much thanks.
Sober Living Alumni member
Chris L
2018
I entered Sober Living in in 2016. At the time my life was in ruins, I was battling a 10 year drug, gambling and alcohol addiction. I went from a healthy 17 year old sportsman in the prime of my life to becoming a person who was losing family and friends out of my life and in financial turmoil.
I was in desperate need of a service like sober living and making the decision to travel to Melbourne to check in was the move that saved my life. From the moment I walked in the door and met Gavin and Belinda, I knew I had met the people who could help me change my life. My time at Sober living is something I will never forget. I walked in the door an absolute broken man and new I had left behind my partner, family, close friends and many of them I knew I might not ever have the same relationship with. During my time there I was made to feel loved but at the same time challenged every minute. The way they treat there patients and families is something I will be forever grateful. Not only was I going through some of my darkest days, but so were my parents and partner. The way the staff helped and cared for my loved ones back at home was simply nothing short of amazing. Everyone close to me back at home was always kept informed of how I was going and from what I have been told the conversation had with them offered the support and comfort they needed at the time.
If anyone out there needs help I would certainly recommend Sober Living. The life they have given me today is something I have wanted for a long time. I went from being on a path of having no partner, family and friends to having these people all back in my life better than ever. Since returning back home to the country I have secured employment in a well respected job in the community, purchased my first house, become engaged to my long-time partner and will be getting married next year. All of this would not have been possible without spending the time I did at sober Living.
The day I walked in the door at Sober living, I left behind drugs, gambling and alcohol and am still clean to this day.
THANK YOU, Gavin, Belinda and your amazing team.
Sober Living Alumni Member,
Brendan R
Gavin we really appreciate your and Belinda's very kind gesture (again), the immeasurable impact that you and Belinda have had on our family, by far outweighs the fees that we have paid as part of our daughters involvement in the Sober Living Program.
To this day it is hard for me to explain the impact of the family day had on us that we attended at Sober Living, without dwelling on, how close we were to losing our way at a time where it was so important that we were setting the direction for our daughter's recovery, the discussions with yourself and Belinda provided us with the hope and belief to commit to that first 3 months, at a time when we did not have the confidence to look past the next day.
The impact that the both of you and the Sober Living Program have had on our daughter and her quality of life goes beyond the ability of words, thank you both.
S & J
2015
Sober Living turned my life around with the 6 months i spent in the program during 2015.
The staff not only had great knowledge but were friendly and made sure i had the best care possible. The support given to my family when i was unwell really helped set up a strong recovery plan for when i left to go home and back in to society. I am back to doing all things i once loved in life with out the burden and obsession addiction brings.
I highly recommend for anyone struggling with addiction.
Adam T
2015
Gav and Belinda,
Just want to say thank you. I have seen on Facebook all these beautiful people at the NA convention in Byron bay. My son and so many others would not have had this opportunity if it were not for organisations such as yours.
All the hard work, that at times is very stressful, the reward is enormous. I am sure that I speak for a lot of other families in saying that we are grateful. I would not have believed a year ago that SF would be so happy and high just on life and not drugs.
Money can not buy what you achieve. Your job is really important. What you do is amazing. You all make Australia a better place.
Grateful mother, CF
2015
I entered into Sober Living Housing early on in 2014. At the time I was desperate to get clean, but after numerous attempts had not had much luck. I had tried everything. I had been using heroin along with other drugs for the previous 10 or so years and had tried everything from maintenance programs to short-term rehab, but kept on relapsing. I felt like nothing was going to work.
I had heard about Sober Living through friends in recovery and thought it was my last chance. If this didn't work, I'm not sure I had any more options. I'm so glad I gave it a go.
Little by little, I started to change. Instead of putting rehab on hold for 'work, partner, family, not enough time' (which never worked anyway), I finally decided to put all that stuff on hold for rehab. It was exactly what I needed to do. My partner was also in a rehab up north and we went on to spend about 10 months in our separate residential treatments. I learned so much during this time. How to be independent, how to look after myself and how I was a good person. I wasn't governed by my past behaviors and I learnt to move on with life and be present.
I became confident again, starting my first job after a long break. I mended the fractured relationships I had with my family along with other people I had hurt in the past. I also made new friends through Sober Living. People that helped me stay clean and taught me how to have fun again.
This year, on May 5, I will be 4 years clean. In 4 days, my first baby boy is due with my partner, who happens to be 3 years clean in May as well. It's pretty amazing how much my life has changed. I am so grateful to Gavin and Belinda for guiding me back to a happy life, where I don't play the victim or live in fear anymore.
I couldn't recommend long-term rehab and Sober Living enough. My life has done a complete turn around and I am extremely grateful.
Sober Living Alumni member - Sam G
2014