Sydney, Australia – The Sydney Retreat, a not-for-profit residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre, has reported a dramatic drop in enquiries following Google's ban on advertising for rehab services. The policy change, which is counterproductive and detrimental to those seeking urgent addiction support, is a serious impediment to The Sydney Retreat's ability to trade and will have dire consequences for Australians seeking immediate help for addiction. Google have not, however, banned alcohol delivery companies, like "Jimmy Brings", from advertising, a troubling double standard.
Google Australia has implemented a policy banning advertising from non-government-owned rehabilitation centres, allowing only government-funded facilities to use paid Google services - a decision that seems counter intuitive. Public rehabs already have waitlists exceeding 12 months, as seen in the case of Chloe , making it unlikely they would ever need to advertise. This policy restricts access to vital information for those seeking private treatment options, including more affordable alternatives like The Sydney Retreat, which offers a 28-day program for $11,450 - far less than other private rehabs charging $40,000 or more. With The Sydney Retreat no longer able to advertise online, they are cutting off a crucial pathway for those in desperate need.
"Enquiries have dried up," explains John Malone, CEO at The Sydney Retreat. "There is often a very small window of opportunity after someone makes the courageous decision to seek help. We know there are thousands of people out there struggling, but they simply can't find us anymore."
The impact of limited access to rehab services is life-threatening. In the Four Corners investigation Rehab Inc. (ABC, 2016), Ashlee faced a minimum three-month wait for a publicly funded bed – a delay she said would have meant death. These realities persist today, with Australia's overwhelmed public system leaving many without options.
The Sydney Retreat provides a vital alternative, offering a proven, community-based recovery program led entirely by people with lived experience of addiction and more importantly, recovery. All staff at The Sydney Retreat have personally overcome addiction, ensuring a deep understanding of the recovery process and a genuine connection with participants.
"Our program works because it is built by people who truly understand addiction," John Malone says. "We also offer transitional housing at cost for those who need stability after completing the program."
Furthermore, allowing advertising from alcohol delivery services suggests an inconsistent policy. "Why would Google ban rehab centres but allow alcohol delivery companies to advertise?" asked John Malone. "I recently had a woman delay her admission to rehab for six days because she had $600 in credit with a delivery service and didn't want to waste her money. She could have drunk herself to death. What's especially concerning is that drivers are contracted to avoid selling to intoxicated people—yet their ideal customer is someone too drunk to leave the house." Research from UNSW shows that these delivery services often extend drinking sessions that would have otherwise ended, increasing the risk of harm. FARE also warns that online alcohol sales contribute to issues like self-harm and family violence. It is concerning that Google supports advertising for services that may fuel addiction, while restricting access to those offering recovery.
The need for private rehab services like The Sydney Retreat is critical. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW):
- 131,500 people aged 18+ received treatment from publicly funded alcohol and other drug treatment services in 2022–23.
- 73% of treatment for alcohol and addiction is provided by non-government (i.e. private) agencies like The Sydney Retreat, with private NGOs making up 69% of service providers.
- 30,000 alcohol-related injuries (falls, self-harm, assault, transport) resulted in hospitalisation in 2019-20, with 50% of those receiving treatment aged 20-39.
- $80.3 billion was the estimated cost of addiction in Australia in 2021, with workplace and productivity losses accounting for 48% of this total.
The Sydney Retreat's effectiveness is backed by results. John Malone stated, "When we follow up with participants a year after completing our program, 67% are clean and sober on the day that we call."
Private rehab facilities can be expensive, but The Sydney Retreat is the most competitively priced, ensuring access for those who may not have the means for high-cost alternatives. The Sydney Retreat even offers scholarships in cases of financial hardship. Without the ability to advertise, countless people in crisis are being left behind.
The Sydney Retreat urges Google to reconsider its blanket ban, ensuring that people struggling with addiction can find the help they need before it's too late.
