Rebuilding a Sisterhood Through Recovery

I never imagined that something like addiction would become part of my family’s story, or that one day I would be speaking about recovery with such depth and honesty. I had come across Hader Clinic Queensland in passing through my husband’s work. At the time, it meant very little to me. I did not realise then that it would become such an important part of our lives.

My sister Abbie had struggled with alcohol for years, but like many families, we did not fully understand how serious it had become. We knew there were issues, but Abbie had always seemed to keep things somewhat under control. She functioned well, worked hard, and showed up for those around her. Looking back now, I can see how easy it is to miss the signs when someone is high functioning, even when addiction is quietly taking hold.

Everything came to a head when I had to pick Abbie up from a work event, that she had been drinking at. She opened up to me in a way that she never had before. She told me she had a drinking problem and that she needed help. I remember the weight of that moment so clearly. She was in a place I can only describe as desperate. It was confronting, but it was also the first time I felt like I was hearing the truth.

That was when my husband mentioned Hader Clinic Queensland. Through his professional dealings, he had heard about the program and the structure they offered. He reached out, and from there things moved quickly. We were incredibly fortunate that Abbie was able to get a place in the program without delay. The timing felt critical. I truly do not think she could have continued living the way that she had been for much longer.

The most important part was that Abbie wanted to go. She had been to rehab before, with varying degrees of success, but this time was different. This was the worst we had ever seen her, and something in her had shifted. There was a readiness, a willingness to face what lay ahead.

Abbie completed the 28-day program at Hader Clinic Queensland, and came out the other side, speaking so highly of it. She was honest about how challenging it was. There was no escaping the work. It was structured, disciplined, and confronting. But it was exactly what she needed. She needed routine. She needed accountability. She needed to be stripped back to the core of what was really going on.

Months on from her admission, she is still committed to her recovery. For me, that has been one of the most powerful parts of this journey. It is not just about getting through rehab. It is about what happens after, and I can see that the tools she gained at Hader Clinic Queensland are something she is actively using in her everyday life.

There is a significant age gap between Abbie and I and growing up she was like a second mother to me. She was protective, caring, and always looking out for me. Because of that, I did not see what was happening in the early years. It was only as I got older that I noticed the patterns. There were periods where things would settle, and then times where it’s obvious that her drinking would escalate. Like many people living with addiction, she would pull back for a while, regain control, and then the addiction or in Abbie’s case the drinking, would slip in again.

As an adult, I became more aware of how much Abbie’s drinking was affecting her. She would sometimes acknowledge that she had a problem, but there was always a sense that she could manage it. That it would be different next time. That it would not go too far. But addiction does not work like that. Over time, alcohol became a coping mechanism, a crutch that Abbie leaned on when life became overwhelming.

One of the most significant things Abbie said after completing her time at Hader Clinic Queensland was that she cannot drink at all. Hearing her say that was powerful. It was the first time I had ever heard full acceptance. Not minimising, not negotiating, but truly understanding the reality of her situation.

The changes in her have been profound. There is a clarity in her now that I do not think I have ever seen before. In fact, it is confronting to realise that I may never have seen her sober until now. It feels like a curtain has been lifted. The person underneath has always been there, but now she is present in a way that is undeniable.

Abbie has always been a warm and caring person, but now there is a steadiness to her. She knows what she wants. She is more grounded. She looks healthier, she is sleeping better, and there is a sense of calm that was not there before. These are the flow on effects of recovery that people do not always talk about but are so important.

Looking back, we had no real understanding of the extent of Abbie’s drinking. Some days it may have looked like very little, but other days it was extreme. Despite that, she was still able to function, to work, and to show up. That is the nature of high functioning addiction. It can go unnoticed for a long time, until it can not.

Our relationship has changed as well. We are more open and honest with each other now. There is less hiding, less pretending. Some days are still hard, but there is a foundation there that did not exist before. There is honesty, and there is hope.

What has also stood out to me is the ripple effect that recovery has had beyond just Abbie herself. As a family, we have had to learn new ways of communicating, new ways of supporting, and new ways of understanding addiction. It has challenged us, but it has also brought us closer. There is a deeper level of compassion now, not just for Abbie, but for others who may be struggling in ways that are not immediately visible.

For healthcare professionals, I think it is important to recognise how often people like Abbie can present as functioning and capable, while quietly battling something incredibly complex. The external picture does not always reflect the internal reality. The Hader Clinic Queensland provides a program that is structured, and one where individuals can begin to unpack not only their substance use, but the underlying trauma that drive it.

I truly believe that the Hader gave Abbie the tools to manage life, on life’s terms. Recovery is not about perfection. It is about having the ability to navigate challenges without returning to old patterns. I feel confident that if Abbie were to struggle or slip up, thats she now has the skills and insight to find her way back.

For anyone supporting a loved one through addiction, I understand how difficult it is. You cannot force someone to change. They have to want it. But you can remain present. You can remain hopeful. You can continue to show them that another way of living is possible.

I would say to anyone reading this, whether you are struggling yourself, or supporting someone who is, that there is another side to this. There is a way forward. Sometimes it starts with simply being open to the idea that life could be different. That you deserve better than just surviving.

For our family, reaching out to the Hader Clinic Queensland was the turning point. It provided structure, honesty, and a level of care that truly set it apart from other rehabilitation experiences that we had encountered through Abbie’s addiction. It was not about quick fixes or surface level change. It was about real, lasting transformation.

I hope that by sharing my story, our journey of addiction of a loved one, that someone else might feel a sense of comfort or possibility. You do not always know what the outcome will be, until you take that first step. For us, that step has changed everything.

Dr Mel Symon

Director, Hader Group QLD

Dr Mel Symon is the Director of Hader Group QLD, leading both Hader Clinic Queensland and Hader Clinic Queensland Private. With more than 30 years of experience in human services and over 20 years as a founder and business leader, Mel has played a central role in establishing and growing Queensland’s leading addiction treatment services.

Mel holds a PhD in Addiction Treatment from the University of Queensland, along with a Master of Mental Health, Master of Professional Management, and a Bachelor of Social Science. Since 2016, she has overseen the development of the 40-bed Hader Clinic Queensland residential rehabilitation program and, in 2021, the creation and opening of the 25-bed Hader Clinic Queensland Private Hospital.

Passionate about lifelong recovery, Mel is dedicated to evidence-based care, meaningful change, and supporting individuals to rebuild their lives through sustainable recovery pathways.

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