What is a Therapeutic Community?
‘A Therapeutic Community’ 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 principal 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 from observing one another and themselves.
Is this a detox program?
No. The Karralika Therapeutic Community is not a detox 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.
At this stage, adults currently on methadone can be considered for participation in the Nexus Program through the Men’s Halfway House and at the Solaris Therapeutic Community (at the Alexander Maconochie Centre) but not in the Therapeutic Community 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.
Participants of Sober Driver Program courses but must not be under the influence of drugs or alcohol when attending sessions.
Do I have to be drug free to be part of the program? What about if I am on methodone?
Yes you need to be free from illicit drugs to participate in our programs.
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 reside 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 or the Sober Driver Program?
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.
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 over a 12 month period. 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 and 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 next steps with you to help you get on the path to choosing a better life.
Applications for the Sober Driver Program are available on the website.
Are the programs free?
No. Although our programs are supported by funding from Governments, all clients are expected to pay 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. Information about the fees for the Sober Driver Program are available on its page.
Are the services confidential?
Yes. Information collected by the organisation is confidential. Karralika Programs Inc. is required to provide data on program occupancy and efficacy to our funders and to the National Minimum Data Set. This data is de-identified (it does not include client names).
