Inside Australia’s Most Controversial Rehab: Journalist’s Experience at Shalom House

Veteran journalist and Sunday Times columnist Ben Harvey has spent a week inside one of Australia’s most notorious rehabilitation centers, Shalom House, as part of an eye-opening TV documentary. The investigation is scheduled to air on the Seven Network’s Spotlight program, examining claims that Shalom’s tough rehabilitation methods border on being a religious cult.

Shalom House, located in the Swan Valley on Perth’s north-eastern outskirts, has been described as a “rehab centre of last resort”. The program accommodates individuals who have reached rock bottom due to their addictions, with its founder Peter Lyndon-James asserting that he offers an alternative to “an emergency department, a psychiatric hospital, a prison or a morgue.”

Harvey immersed himself completely into the program, adhering to its strict rules which included shaving his head, surrendering his phone, and engaging in both physical work and religious activities. His goal was to understand whether the program, which forces addicts to embrace Christianity, was indeed transformative or coercive.

Living alongside 160 recovering addicts, Harvey had first-hand experiences with individuals from varied backgrounds, including former gang members and meth dealers. “I have been in some confronting situations,” Harvey commented, “but nothing compared to a week inside Shalom House.”

The program enforced structure, with days beginning before 5 a.m., filled with physical work, bible readings, and church services. While Shalom House is often criticized for its faith-based approach, Lyndon-James emphasizes that participation is voluntary. “People are free to leave any time they want if it is not the right rehab service for them, and they often do,” he stated.

Peter Lyndon-James, once one of the country’s most prolific child criminals turned drug dealer, founded Shalom House after turning his own life around. The organization has grown in the past 12 years, although space remains scarce, with many properties packed to capacity.

Lyndon-James remains in a drawn-out conflict with the Western Australian Government regarding the expansion of his facilities. Despite challenges, Shalom House continues to attract individuals from across Australia and even Europe.

The Spotlight episode featuring Harvey’s experience airs Sunday at 8:45 p.m. on Channel 7 and 7plus, promising to deliver an honest look into a rehabilitation center steeped in controversy and hope.