Set in Perth, Shalom House embraces its reputation "Australia's largest and toughest rehab." Their Christian,
residential treatment program leverages their founder's recovery from meth addiction. Their program lasts 12 months or longer and includes treatment for co-occurring disorders like anxiety, depression, domestic violence, and gambling. Shalom house is accredited by Alcohol and Other Drug Human Services Standard (AODHSS). They receive a lot of press coverage.
They have 140 beds, with separate living quarters for the men and women.
Shalom House welcomes men and women from all faiths from all states and territories in Australia. They admit about 1 in 20 applicants. They don't take referrals from courts or admit individuals currently in prison.
They require individuals seeking treatment to read their website and review the terms directly on there.
Shalom House charges $500 AUD per week. For individuals on Centrelink, they offer a discount rate of $300. They don't take insurance or government funding, but they accept donations in the forms of food and clothing.
Shalom House uses a "cold turkey" abstinence-based treatment method. They don't allow smoking or vaping on the property, nor do they allow discussion of smoking or vaping on the property.
They typically don't allow medications, but they can make exceptions for anti-psychotic medications that one of their psychiatrists approves.
The program involves taking people of all faiths to church services on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The Friday services are a Pentacostal style. The Saturday services are non-denominational services at Shalom House. The Sunday services are at different churches each week in the Perth community.
The program includes occasional adventure outings to places like John Forest National Park.
Shalom House has a 5-stage treatment approach that involves work or volunteering.
Stage 1 is
detox for about 3 months. During this phase, clients can't use their phones or leave the property.
Stage 2 is mapping out the client's future after leaving Shalom House. This stage happens around 12 weeks in the program, concurrently with Stage 1. After a client completes stage 2, they can leave the property on Fridays at 5 p.m. and return at 5 p.m. on the following Sundays if family picks them up.
Stage 3 allows residents to work offsite, purchase a cellphone, and leave the property. The curfew is 8:30 p.m.
Stage 4 involves building relationships in the community and mentoring newer residents. The curfew is extended to 10:30 p.m.
Stage 5 involves demonstrating life choices for life after discharge. It includes random drug tests.