Inside the $1,500-a-day rehab resort that Sam Burgess credits with turning his troubled life around


Troubled NRL star Sam Burgess fled Sydney to seek help at a $1,500-a-day Queensland rehab resort so secretive it does not disclose its oceanfront address.

Gold Coast Detox and Rehab Services runs an exclusive residential program from a three-storey designer house at Currumbin which caters for only six guests at a time. 

It does not keep computer records, residents are allowed to use an alias during their stay and medical files can be shredded upon completion of the program. 

The luxury private accommodation is set in a ‘home-style residential retreat’ which includes 24-hour professional care ‘without the hospital atmosphere’. 

‘If you need peace and quiet, that’s what we can offer you,’ Gold Coast Detox’s website states. ‘If you need privacy, we have it. 

‘If you feel like roast lamb and potatoes, we’ll make it for you. If you crave chocolate, we’ve got chocolate.’ 

Troubled NRL star Sam Burgess fled Sydney to seek help at a $1,500-a-day rehab so secretive it does not disclose its address. Gold Coast Detox and Rehab (pictured) runs a residential program from a three-storey house at Currumbin which caters for only six guests at a time

Troubled NRL star Sam Burgess fled Sydney to seek help at a $1,500-a-day rehab so secretive it does not disclose its address. Gold Coast Detox and Rehab (pictured) runs a residential program from a three-storey house at Currumbin which caters for only six guests at a time

Gold Coast Detox's luxury accommodation is set in a 'home-style residential retreat' which includes 24-hour professional care. 'If you need peace and quiet, that's what we can offer you,' its website states. 'If you need privacy, we have it.' The facility is pictured

Gold Coast Detox’s luxury accommodation is set in a ‘home-style residential retreat’ which includes 24-hour professional care. ‘If you need peace and quiet, that’s what we can offer you,’ its website states. ‘If you need privacy, we have it.’ The facility is pictured

Gold Coast Detox, which opened two years ago, describes itself as a 'private and confidential drug and alcohol addiction management centre for detoxification.' A bedroom is pictured

 Gold Coast Detox, which opened two years ago, describes itself as a ‘private and confidential drug and alcohol addiction management centre for detoxification.’ A bedroom is pictured

Burgess spent four weeks at Gold Coast Detox after he was caught driving with traces of cocaine in his system while on his way to pick up his children in February. He told counsellors the past two years had been 'horrific'. Burgess is pictured on the Gold Coast in March

Burgess spent four weeks at Gold Coast Detox after he was caught driving with traces of cocaine in his system while on his way to pick up his children in February. He told counsellors the past two years had been ‘horrific’. Burgess is pictured on the Gold Coast in March

Burgess spent four weeks at Gold Coast Detox after he was caught driving with traces of cocaine in his system while on his way to pick up his children in February. 

The former Souths captain told counsellors the past two years had been ‘horrific’ as his marriage to wife Phoebe ended in acrimony and he was forced to retire from football. 

He had been wrongly convicted of intimidating Phoebe’s father Mitch Hooke and was the target of allegations of drug use and domestic violence published in The Australian newspaper.

The intimidation conviction was subsequently overturned and Burgess has denied the newspaper claims, which were published with the help of Phoebe and Mr Hooke. 

Burgess’s stay at Gold Coast Detox was revealed when he pleaded guilty at Moss Vale Local Court on Tuesday to three traffic offences committed in the Southern Highlands on February 22.

Magistrate Mark Douglass did not convict Burgess for driving with cocaine present in his saliva and fined him $1162 for driving unregistered and without a licence. 

Gold Coast Detox provides gourmet meals (pictured) for its guests. 'If you feel like roast lamb and potatoes, we'll make it for you,' it states. 'If you crave chocolate, we've got chocolate'

Gold Coast Detox provides gourmet meals (pictured) for its guests. ‘If you feel like roast lamb and potatoes, we’ll make it for you,’ it states. ‘If you crave chocolate, we’ve got chocolate’

'Confidentiality is important to us,' Gold Coast Detox's website states. 'We are a strictly paper-only service, so your medical details are not recorded on any medical system or data base

‘Confidentiality is important to us,’ Gold Coast Detox’s website states. ‘We are a strictly paper-only service, so your medical details are not recorded on any medical system or data base

Mr Douglass found Burgess had shown remorse, contrition and insight into his behaviour after undergoing a ‘very arduous and rigorous’ stint in rehab. 

He said Burgess had adhered to a ‘very strict regime’ of drug testing and described his month-long stay at the clinic as ‘quasi-custodial’.

Burgess’s solicitor Bryan Wrench said his client’s time at the clinic was not specifically related to drugs but he had a ‘new outlook’ on life. 

Gold Coast Detox, which opened two years ago, describes itself as a ‘private and confidential drug and alcohol addiction management centre for detoxification.’

‘Clients are offered drug and alcohol withdrawal in a relaxed non-clinical, retreat-style home environment,’ its website states. ‘We focus primarily on the addiction withdrawal process and value privacy, care and understanding.’

Fees start at $1,500 a day and the facility attracts a cashed-up clientele from around the country. There are two staff for every guest.  

'Mr Burgess discussed with me his previous struggle to slow down and reflect on his personal issues and pressures without seeking support during the last two years,' a counsellor wrote. A psychologist's report described Burgess as a 'devoted father' He is pictured with his children

‘Mr Burgess discussed with me his previous struggle to slow down and reflect on his personal issues and pressures without seeking support during the last two years,’ a counsellor wrote. A psychologist’s report described Burgess as a ‘devoted father’ He is pictured with his children 

‘Confidentiality is important to us,’ its website states. ‘We are a strictly paper-only service, so your medical details are not recorded on any medical system or data base. 

‘You will have the option of shredding your file when you leave our service to protect your identity. You also have the option of using an alias name during your stay.’ 

The facility does not advertise its address but it is on the beachfront close to parklands. A free pick-up service collects clients for the five-minute drive from Coolangatta airport.

Mr Wrench tendered a statement from a Gold Coast Detox counsellor who wrote that Burgess had successfully taken part in 20 therapy sessions at the clinic. 

‘Mr Burgess discussed with me his previous struggle to slow down and reflect on his personal issues and pressures without seeking support during the last two years,’ the counsellor wrote. 

‘He describes this time his life as being “horrific and emotional”.

The former Souths captain told counsellors the past two years had been 'horrific' as his marriage to wife Phoebe ended in acrimony and he was forced to retire from football. He is pictured with Phoebe before their final split in October 2019

The former Souths captain told counsellors the past two years had been ‘horrific’ as his marriage to wife Phoebe ended in acrimony and he was forced to retire from football. He is pictured with Phoebe before their final split in October 2019

‘These counselling and therapy sessions identified several areas in Sam’s life that have resulted in difficult circumstances over the last two years. 

‘These include his injury and resulting retirement from the NRL and a marriage separation…

‘He was also stood down as an assistant coach at the South Sydney Rugby League Club as a consequence of articles in The Australian newspaper in October 2020. 

‘Mr Burgess has been attempting to manage these issues by himself.’

The counsellor wrote that Burgess had not been diagnosed with an alcohol or drug misuse or dependency disorder and all his drug screen tests were negative.

‘During counselling, Mr Burgess was able to process emotions that included severe stress, grief, loss and betrayal,’ she reported. 

‘He was able to reconnect to his core values and priorities that started his successful and prosperous career. 

Gold Coast Detox (pictured) does not advertise its address but it is on the beachfront close to parklands. A free pick-up service collects clients for the five-minute drive from Coolangatta airport

Gold Coast Detox (pictured) does not advertise its address but it is on the beachfront close to parklands. A free pick-up service collects clients for the five-minute drive from Coolangatta airport

‘Mr Burgess has formulated positive goals for the future and a variety of strategies to assist in his mental health and physical wellbeing.’

During his stay Burgess had learnt stress management techniques, emotional coping strategies and ‘identifying healthy lifestyle changes that will contribute to his future goals and ambitions.’

‘Throughout his stay Mr Burgess presented as humble, was amiable, respectful, accommodating and motivated,’ the counsellor wrote. 

‘Mr Burgess built a strong rapport with staff and became a support and role model to others, thus becoming a valued guest in our facility. In counselling sessions he was observed to be motivated and insightful.’

A separate report from a psychologist described Burgess as a ‘devoted father’ who was aware of the potential personal consequences of drug taking.

‘He is also cognisant of the ramifications for his future career and the importance of maintaining an appropriate role model image for young sporting fans,’ the psychologist wrote.

‘Having regard for his reported and exhibited level of offence shame, remorse, and guilt, I believe the risk of re-offending and/or indeed any form of substance abuse can be reasonably viewed as minimal.’

Burgess is set to start in the next season of Channel Seven’s hit series SAS Australia. 

Sam Burgess has turned his life around after a stint in Gold Coast Detox and Rehab. He is set to star in the second series of Channel Seven's hit TV series SAS Australia

Sam Burgess has turned his life around after a stint in Gold Coast Detox and Rehab. He is set to star in the second series of Channel Seven’s hit TV series SAS Australia

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