Because of your kindness, Greg will be back with his family this Christmas.
If you would prefer to make a direct deposit, our bank account details are:
Account Name: Odyssey House NSW
BSB: 062 517
Account number: 11302853
Please ensure that your full name is written in the reference field if using direct deposit and email donations@odysseyhouse.com.au or phone +61 2 9030 3901 with the donation date and the amount so that we can send you a tax receipt.
Missing around the Christmas table
Christmas is often a time for coming together and celebrating with family. But for those supporting loved ones with alcohol and other drug dependencies, 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.
“It was like I was married to two different people – the person you have been with your whole adult life, the person you love dearly, and another side of the person you do not recognise.”
From the beginning, Rebecca knew exactly what she wanted – a warm, stable home and a loving family. Christmas was always a time to pause, have fun, and be together. But last Christmas was different. Greg had been fighting a devastating dependency on alcohol for years, and things had come to a head. “There was a level of sadness. It just wasn’t the same without him.”
The dependency had taken control of the whole family. Rebecca needed to break the destructive pattern to protect herself and her young children. She made the difficult decision to separate for the greater good.
By setting boundaries, Rebecca motivated Greg to seek the help he needed. They reached out to Odyssey House NSW.
Greg began treatment, and Rebecca was offered support through Odyssey’s Family and Friends Program – individual counselling and group sessions for families of people impacted by alcohol and other drugs. The program provides a safe space to talk, share experiences, and learn strategies to set healthy boundaries and practise self-care.
“I don’t know how well I would have gotten through everything if I didn’t have Anthony (Odyssey’s Family and Friends Case Worker)” Rebecca says. “I had someone I could talk to – to help me unpack my situation and my headspace.”
Greg is now living free from alcohol dependency, and the family are looking forward to a much happier Christmas together this year.
This festive season, will you help families like Rebecca’s to ensure there’s no one missing from the Christmas lunch table?
Our Impact
Odyssey’s services continue to adapt and innovate, so every person who walks through our doors has the best chance of recovery – for themselves, their families, and their communities.
Over the past 12 months, Odyssey received 7,900 enquiries for support - the highest number we’ve ever received in one year.
Behind every enquiry is a person or family looking for hope. As demand increases, the quality of care remains at the centre of all we do.
But we can’t do this without your support.
About Odyssey House NSW
Odyssey House NSW is one of Australia’s leading rehabilitation services, transforming lives since 1977.
We provide holistic treatment, support and education to reduce the harms caused by alcohol and other drug use. Our programs address not only substance dependence but also the underlying issues - such as trauma, mental health challenges, and family relationships - that affect recovery.
Every day, we see the power of recovery to restore health, rebuild families and strengthen communities. With your support, Odyssey can continue helping people overcome addiction, reconnect with loved ones and build brighter, more hopeful futures.
If you or someone you know is experiencing addiction, please don't hesitate to contact us for support.
You can speak with our team about our programs by calling 1800 397 739 or find resources and information at odysseyhouse.com.au.
* Image and name changed to protect the identity of our client.
