What is a Therapeutic Community?
A ‘Therapeutic Community’ or TC is a residential program where residents share the goal of learning from experiences of living and working together as a community. This is referred to as a ‘living Learning situation’ and is the main means for promoting personal change. In the TC, residents and staff participate in the management and operation of the community, contributing to a safe learning environment where change can occur. Residents learn how to change their thinking and behaviour by working with each other and with the staff.
Is this a detox program?
No. The Karralika Therapeutic Community is not a detoxification facility. Individuals, couples and families come to our residential rehabilitation programs drug free (other than prescribed medications) and alcohol free. Many clients will have had to participate in a detox program provided by another service before they will be accepted into our programs.
Do I have to be drug free to be in your programs?
Yes you need to be free from alcohol and illegal drugs to participate in our programs.
Participants of the Sober Driver Program and REVERSED courses must not be under the influence of drugs or alcohol when attending the session. Participants will be breathalized before the course and will be excluded if they have a postive reading.
What if I am on methadone?
If you are on methadone as part of an Opioid Maintenance Treatment program you are eligible to participate in our Nexus Program through the Men’s Halfway House and at the Solaris Therapeutic Community (at the Alexander Maconochie Centre) but not in our other residential programs (the Adult Program, Karuna, or the Child and Family Services Program) at this stage. In the near future, adults on pharmacotherapy will also be able to join the residential program once successfully assessed by the team.
I live outside the ACT can I join one of the programs?
Yes, you can participate in one of our residential programs even if you normally reside outside of the ACT.
Can my children be with me while I am staying at the residential rehabilitation facility?
The Karralika Child and Family Services Program enables parent/s participating in the residential rehabilitation program to have their children living with them. The Program offers individual support to address the alcohol or other drug dependency but also focuses on the family relationship.
Can people who don’t have court orders get into the rehabilitation program, the Sober Driver Program or the REVERSED course?
Absolutely. All of Karralika Programs Inc. programs are voluntary and individuals can self-refer for assessment. However some adults will be required to participate under court order.
Who is REVERSED for?
REVERSED is an alcohol and drug awareness course for adults who have been charged with a drink or drug driving offence in the ACT since 25 November 2011 and have been (1) charged with the same offence before or (2) had a mid to high range blood alcohol content level.
REVERSED is a 6-hour course approved by Road User Services in the ACT and you’ll need to complete this course in order to maintain or regain your licence.
Do I need to stay at the residential program for the full 12 months?
Overcoming dependency will not happen overnight and requires a change of thinking and behaving that takes time. The Therapeutic Community model works and is life changing. The Karralika Therapeutic Community Adult and Child and Family Program progresses through a series of phases up to 12 months. However, Karralika Programs Inc. has introduced a short-stay program (Karuna) that provides adults with the opportunity to participate in a residential rehabilitation program for a period of 8 weeks. After the completion of the short-stay program, adults can choose to continue on for the remainder of the Therapeutic Community program, move into the Men’s Halfway House or be supported through Outreach into the community as part of the Nexus Program. We can also help clients find the right supports and other services to help them continue with their rehabilitation journey.
How can I get onto a program?
First you need to make contact with Karralika Programs Inc. Intake Officer who can provide information about our programs and schedule a time for an assessment. Our Intake Officer will ask a series of questions to understand more about you, your dependence history and which program would best suit you. They will assess your eligibility for one of our programs and discuss the next steps.
Applications for the Sober Driver Program or REVERSED are available by contacting the coordinator on 02 6163 0200 or emailing info@karralika.org.au.
What if I have a mental health condition or other complex need – can I still come to your program?
Yes. Our programs and staff are able to support people with complex needs to address their alcohol and drug dependence. Residents with low literacy, Acquired Brain Injury and Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder for example are supported with additional resources and tools to help them participate effectively in the program and achieve their treatment goals. Supports might include being able to spend some time in a quiet place, using tailored print resources including group handouts and worksheets, having additional time to complete homework or individual tasks, accessing additional support from staff and senior peers, additional one to one staff time and instruction and using voice recorders or voice recognition software for example.
Adults with low to moderate mental health conditions who are, or can be, stable on medication are able to participate in our alcohol and drug treatment programs. Karralika Programs Inc. works closely with Mental Health ACT and health professionals to ensure the continued health and safety of our clients while they are participating in our programs.
Are the programs free?
No. Although our programs are supported by funding from Governments, all clients are expected to pay affordable fees for board and lodging within the residential rehabilitation programs (Karralika Therapeutic Community Adult Program, Karuna Short-stay Program and the Child and Family Services Program) or the community-based settings provided through the Nexus Program.
Are the services confidential?
Yes. Information collected by the organisation is confidential. Karralika Programs Inc. is required to provide data on program occupancy to our funders and to the National Minimum Data Set. This data is de-identified (it does not include client names).
