About Us
A Message from the CEO
There are no easy answers to the problems of drug misuse in our society and the reality is that drug problems are not confined to an isolated few.
However, research has consistently shown that drug rehabilitation can work.
Since Odyssey House's inception in Australia over thirty years ago, it has helped more than 30,000 people with drug and alcohol problems.
The drug and alcohol programs offered by Odyssey House help to provide a 'A Calm in the Sea of Addiction' for thousands of drug affected men and women and their families.
Every resident involved in the program must confront the reason why they resorted to an addictive lifestyle. Residents are also taught alternative ways of dealing with the ups and downs of daily life.
Odyssey House not only saves lives, but also saves the community substantial amounts of money. After completing the Odyssey House program, residents are likely to live longer, lessen their drug use, reduce crime and ease demands on health and community services.
The Odyssey House McGrath Foundation is a registered charity, that requires the support and generosity of businesses and the general community to maintain the level and quality of its vital, life saving programs.
James A Pitts, M.A.
Chief Executive Officer
Odyssey House was founded in 1977 and provides residential and non-residential rehabilitation programs for men and women with alcohol and other drug misuse. When appropriate, the dependent children of residents participating in the program may also receive accommodation and support to help minimise the adverse effects of their parent's problems.
Our Mission Statement:
Odyssey House McGrath Foundation is a not for profit organisation dedicated to the provision of a dynamic and diverse range of services to the client populations who utilise our services. Our programs assist the participating individuals overcome their dependencies upon harmful external agents by empowering them through the concept of self-help and the ability to integrate, live within and contribute to the community at large.
The treatment method used at Odyssey House is unique in that it treats addiction, drug misuse and associated types of anti-social behaviour as being symptomatic of underlying causes and manages clients accordingly.
There are four basic rules that all Odyssey House residents must follow. They are:
- No alcohol or other drugs
- No violence
- No sex
- No stealing
Violation of these rules may result in exclusion from the program.
The value system that all residents are encouraged to adopt is based on Love, Trust, Honesty, Responsibility and Concern.
The Odyssey concepts by which residents live, include such basic beliefs as:
- Drugs are just the symptom of underlying problems
- Everything received at Odyssey House must be earned
- The basis for treatment is feeling good about yourself
- Personal responsibility and honesty are vital
- Being popular is less important than being respected
The Odyssey House rehabilitation and counselling programs are rigorous. All participating clients undergoing the process of rehabilitation are expected to participate in all areas of the program to the best of their abilities.
Every resident involved in the program must address the reasons why they resorted to an addictive lifestyle. Residents are also taught alternative ways of dealing with the ups and downs of daily life.
The residential treatment program at Odyssey House applies a comprehensive rehabilitation approach to alcohol other drugs misuse in order for personal growth to replace dependency.
Our stakeholders
- Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation(link http://www.tacams.com.au/contact_us.html)
- DAWN Housing
- Argyle Housing
- Illawarra Aboriginal Medical Service
- Family Drug Support (link http://www.fds.org.au/)