Transitional Housing Program

A supported next step between rehabilitation and independent life

The first six weeks following residential rehabilitation are when the risk of relapse is at its highest. Returning to familiar routines, responsibilities, and relationships can bring a mix of relief, uncertainty, and pressure, and without the right support in place, that transition can be very hard to manage.

The Transitional Housing Program was developed to bridge the gap between our residential treatment program. and independent living. Based across two properties south-west of Brisbane, it continues the therapeutic community environment while giving residents the space to gradually take on more freedom and responsibility, rebuilding at a pace that supports long-term recovery.

We see a greater success rate in long-term recovery when clients complete the transitional housing program.

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What is the purpose of transitional housing?

The transitional housing program is a safe place where residents can begin the process of reintegration into society while still receiving monitoring and support. The transitional housing community is a continuation of the therapeutic community environment.

The aim of the transitional housing program is to allow residents the freedom and responsibility of independent living, with ongoing support from Hader Clinic Queensland staff and their peers. Support services are available through individual counselling and regular facilitated peer groups that provide guidance during times of stress, frustration, sadness, and even boredom as they adjust back to regular living.

The first month is deliberately structured around applying the tools and skills developed in rehabilitation out in the real world, while being supported and held accountable. The focus is gradually adding back the responsibilities of everyday life, from setting a budget and managing a household to building communication skills, setting boundaries, and getting back on top of practical life skills like cooking, cleaning, and shopping.

Who the program is for

Suitability is determined through a multidisciplinary team (MDT) assessment. To be eligible, residents must have completed the 12-week residential rehabilitation program and maintained continuous abstinence throughout that period.

This decision takes into account a person’s recovery progress, their home environment, their support network, and the risks that returning directly to independent living might present.

Stays typically range from 12 to 24 weeks, with the program accommodating stays of between 4 and 36 weeks depending on individual circumstances and clinical need.

If you or someone you care about is approaching the end of the residential program and wondering what comes next, our team can talk it through with you.

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What’s included in the Transitional Housing Program

Living environment:

• Private studio apartment in a secure, drug and alcohol-free community
• Rent, groceries and utilities covered
• Daily check-ins and peer support groups
• Nightly curfew and medication management
• Regular drug and alcohol screening

Ongoing therapeutic support

• Weekly individual counselling sessions
• Weekly group psychoeducation sessions
• Monthly recreation and life skills sessions
• Twice-monthly family support and education groups
• 12 Step Program facilitation

Hader Clinic Queensland holds QIP (Quality Innovation Performance) accreditation.

A program built around community and shared accountability

The community that forms inside transitional housing is one of the most meaningful parts of the program. Residents live alongside people who have been through the same treatment, understand the recovery journey, and are navigating the same process of rebuilding. That shared experience creates fellowship and accountability that clinical support alone cannot replicate.

Research shows that shifting from social isolation to social connectedness is one of the principal factors associated with the transition from addiction to recovery, and that having more people in your network who are abstinent is positively linked to better long-term outcomes.

Residents keep fit together, share responsibilities, and hold each other to the standards the program sets. There is always someone nearby when it matters, and learning to be that support for someone else is part of the recovery process too.

What happens after transitional housing

After completing transitional housing, residents step into the outpatient program, which runs three days a week and is built around ongoing support and accountability as they settle back into everyday life. This includes regular individual counselling, group psychoeducation sessions, and continued monitoring, along with access to 12 Step programs and family support sessions.

For those who need more flexibility, there is also an online aftercare option through the HaderCare app. This allows people to stay connected to support from home, with daily check-ins, weekly resources and activities, and access to one-on-one counselling via video.

If you’d like to talk through what this next stage looks like, our team is happy to help.

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Ongoing support from people who understand this transitional stage

The transitional housing program is supported by Hader Clinic Queensland’s counselling and clinical team, who are experienced in working with people at this stage of recovery.

Some of our staff have their own experience of recovery, including completing the residential and transitional housing program, and they bring that understanding to the day-to-day support they provide.

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Frequently asked questions

How is transitional housing different from residential treatment?

Residential treatment is highly structured and more clinical, with most of your day planned for you. Transitional housing still has structure and support, but there’s more independence. You start making your own decisions again, managing your time, and stepping back into everyday life while still having accountability and guidance around you.

Do I have to have done my residential rehab at Hader Clinic to be eligible?

Yes. The transitional housing program is the next phase of our residential treatment pathway and is available to clients who have completed the 12-week residential rehabilitation program at Hader Clinic Queensland and maintained continuous abstinence throughout that period.

Why isn’t going straight home always the best next step?

For some people, that works. For many, it doesn’t. Going home often means stepping straight back into the same environment, routines, and relationships that were there before treatment. Even with real progress, those familiar cues can bring old patterns back quicker than expected. There’s also a sudden drop in structure. The routine, support, and daily check-ins from rehab are no longer there, and it can feel like you’re expected to manage it all at once.

Transitional housing gives you time to ease into that change. You can start applying what you’ve learned in real-life situations, with support and accountability still around you as you find your footing.

Can I work or study while in the program?

This is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Work or study is generally not recommended during the first 12 weeks, as the focus is on stabilising and building a strong foundation in recovery. Beyond this point, it may be introduced gradually, with many participants encouraged to return to work, study, or other responsibilities as part of reintegration into everyday life.

What happens if I feel like I’m not coping?

That’s something we expect people to experience at times. Early recovery can bring up frustration, low mood, or uncertainty. The program is designed so those moments don’t happen in isolation. You’ll be supported to talk it through, adjust where needed, and stay on track rather than feeling like you have to manage it alone.

How long can I stay in transitional housing?

Stays are flexible and based on individual needs. While many people stay between 12 and 24 weeks, shorter or longer stays can be considered depending on your progress and circumstances. This is something that’s reviewed with the clinical team.