ADFACT (Alcohol and Drug Foundation Australian Capital Territory Inc.)

Established in 1978, the Karralika Program offers a comprehensive program for people with alcohol and other dependencies, using the therapeutic community (TC) approach to treatment. Treatment is provided within a safe environment, free of alcohol and non-prescribed drugs.

The Karralika Program is based on the belief that a person's dependence on alcohol or other drugs is a symptom of underlying personal difficulties. Karralika seeks to provide an environment that not only assists people to overcome their dependency, but also assists in the development of positive life skills.

As part of the ADFACT network of services, the Karralika Therapeutic Community Program offers comprehensive treatment through both the Karralika Adult Program and the Karralika Family Program. Each operates separate treatment facilities with a capacity to accommodate a maximum of 44 people. Both facilities are located within easy distance of each other in the developing southern areas of Canberra and offer modern accommodation, recreation areas and workshop space.

The facilities at Karralika offer accommodation for single adults, single parents and couples with or without children.

The Adult Program provides comprehensive care and focuses upon individual personal growth to replace alcohol and other drug dependencies. Preparation for future employment and lifeskills training are important components of the program, and clients are able to undertake accredited training through the Canberra Institute of Technology (TAFE provider) while undertaking the treatment program.

The Family Program offers treatment for the whole family, providing the opportunity for young children to reside with their parents while they are undertaking the Karralika Program. The children’s program at Karralika is supported by a Child and Family Psychologist and Family Support Coordinator. Children participate in an award-winning early childhood development program either through full-time daycare or in after-school care programs. Targeted interventions, including play therapies, are included in the program as appropriate. Parents also take part in parenting programs and cognitive behavioural therapies (CBT), which seek to develop positive parent/child/family relationships.

The Karralika Program includes education, life and job skills training as part of a comprehensive therapeutic program. Individual and group counselling, including specialist services from other agencies, are also provided as part of the treatment program.

Each of these interventions is integrated and vitally important. They include the opportunity to undertake accredited job skills training, educational activities including basic literacy and numeracy, and recreational and creative activities. Staff work within a creative and innovative therapeutic environment and are skilled in clinical practices and provide strong role models for clients in treatment.

The program is divided into the following stages:

Assessment: Referrals to the intake program are accepted from the general community, other agencies, Corrective Services and other legal systems. Self-referrals can also be made.

People assessed as suitable for the program are those aged from 18 years who are able to demonstrate some acceptance of a need to change their alcohol or other drug-dependent lifestyle. Prospective clients are required to ring on time for appointments and not be under the influence of alcohol or any other drugs at the time of the interview.

The Karralika Program is divided into three stages. These are: Induction, Treatment and Commitment. These stages provide the opportunity for clients to move through a staged treatment process. These are designed to empower individuals to make informed choices about a range of ongoing treatment options, and to assist clients to determine and address interpersonal issues utilising a biopsychosocial approach to treatment. The typical length of treatment in the Karralika Program is nine to 12 months.

Induction Stage: The Induction Program is divided into specific modules of treatment. Participants take part in group and individual counselling sessions and educational seminars. At completion of this stage, clients move to the treatment phase of the program or may request a referral to another agency.

Treatment Stage: Here, clients live and work in a small community situation and, with the support and encouragement of staff, help each other to develop constructive life-coping skills. The social structure is a simple hierarchy of positions with degrees of responsibility.

Activities centre around a normal lifestyle of daily work projects and leisure pursuits, which are supported by a creative therapy program.

Treatment normally lasts around six to seven months but may be adjusted to meet individual needs. Attendance at outside support meetings commences during this time.

Commitment Stage: Commitment is the 'linking phase' between treatment and the commencement of the community re-integration phase, when clients move on to The Nexus Program.

During Commitment clients begin to take their place back in society. Emphasis is placed on career development, social relationships and practical living skills. The program provides clients with a supportive and gradual community re-entry – moving through voluntary work into full-time employment or education.

As clients move from the protected environment of Karralika to a transition house and then into their own accommodation in the Canberra community, weekly support groups and counselling sessions are held with staff. Attendance at Narcotics Anonymous or other similar support groups also continues during this stage of the program.

Transition/Aftercare

Transition/After-care is the 'linking phase' between treatment and reintegration into the community. It's a time of preparation and the consolidation of information gained in earlier stages.

The Transition/After-care Program sees people begin to take their place back in society. Emphasis is placed on career development, social relationships and practical living skills. The program provides clients with a supportive and gradual community re-entry – moving through voluntary work into full-time employment or education.

As clients move from the protected environment of Karrilika to an after-care house and then into their own accommodation in the community, relapse prevention groups and support sessions continue. Attendance at Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous or other similar support groups also continues during this stage of the program.

ADFACT, through Karralika and The Nexus Program, provides a range of opportunities for clients in treatment, including education and workskills training programs, recreational and arts extension activities, and therapeutic interventions.

As part of our commitment to the development of future job training and employment skills, we have developed a program in association with the Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) to deliver programs at Karralika. CIT is the TAFE provider in the ACT. This means that the training clients receive here is nationally accredited, and recognised throughout Australia. As clients are preparing to enter the treatment phase, they are asked to select into one of two programs – Hospitality or Horticulture. These take place one day per week, when all other program activities are suspended. In addition, clients also have an option of completing competencies in Welfare Studies.

The training is competency-based, and at the completion of each competency clients receive a Statement of Attainment for that subject. These build on each other to provide a full certificated qualification. It is therefore possible for a client to leave Karralika with a full Certificate II in Horticulture and/or a Certificate I or II in Hospitality, and competencies in Welfare Studies, which they will be able to use at a later stage towards a full qualification.

The Statements of Attainment and the certificates are issued in the name of CIT. Therefore, once clients leave Karralika they are able to use these awards as part of a job application or to undertake further education and training at CIT or another TAFE provider interstate or as part of an application to university.

Karralika is staffed by a professional, multidisciplinary team trained in the treatment of those with alcohol and other drug dependencies. Some members of staff have successfully completed a treatment program themselves, and all staff have completed professional training programs with qualifications in psychology, counselling, addictions studies and other disciplines.

Collectively, the ADFACT staff team has more than 200 years' experience in the alcohol and other drugs field. Five of our staff recently received recognition awards for more than 10 years' experience – all of the staff members have between 10 and 30 years' experience in the field.

Most clients are registered with Centrelink and all clients are expected to pay fees for board and lodging.

For further information on ADFACT's Karralika Program, or if you are interested in referring yourself or someone else, please contact the Intake Officer:
Phone 02 6292 2733 (9am-4pm) Monday to Friday
Or write to:
ADFACT
PO Box 2230
Tuggeranong ACT 2901