Karralika Community Programs
About Karralika Community Programs
Karralika Community Programs provides outpatient alcohol and drug treatment from its Deakin office, with additional support available in clients’ homes and community settings. Established in 1976, the not-for-profit organisation works with adults, adolescents and families across Canberra, offering practical pathways from assessment and withdrawal support through counselling, structured treatment and aftercare. Care is person-centred, compassionate and shaped around each client’s circumstances and recovery goals. The multidisciplinary community team includes counsellors, case managers, registered nurses, lived-experience mentors and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural support workers. Treatment blends evidence-based and trauma-informed practices with individual counselling, group work, family involvement, education and relapse-prevention planning. Available services include non-residential withdrawal, specialist community counselling, pharmacotherapy support and the structured 16-week Matrix Program. Clients may receive help with treatment readiness, behavioural change, family relationships, community reintegration and maintaining progress after completing a programme. Where another level of care would be more suitable, the assessment team can help coordinate referrals. The Deakin location offers a convenient base near central Canberra without requiring an overnight stay. Karralika also extends care beyond the office through home-based withdrawal, outreach, telephone support and connections with local health and community services, helping clients pursue recovery while remaining close to their everyday responsibilities and support networks.
Centre Highlights
Location
View on MapsActivities
Individual Addiction Counselling
Private one-to-one sessions help clients examine substance use, emotional challenges and personal goals. Counsellors may draw on cognitive, strengths-based, solution-focused, acceptance and commitment, and narrative approaches.
Matrix Recovery Groups
The evidence-based Matrix Program provides a structured 16-week group experience for stimulant and other substance use disorders. Sessions are delivered by a counsellor and lived-experience mentor to strengthen recovery skills and ongoing motivation.
Family Therapy and Parenting Support
Counselling can involve partners, parents, carers and other family members where appropriate. Support focuses on healthier relationships, communication, parenting needs and the effects of substance use across the family system.
Psychoeducation
Educational sessions build a clearer understanding of addiction, withdrawal, triggers and available recovery pathways. Clients and their support networks can develop practical knowledge for making safer, more informed decisions.
Reviews from Guests
Real experiences from people who've been there.
Michael Leo. karralika has to be the best long term rehab I’ve ever been to, it’s been well over 16 Years since my experience but nightly check ins every night, art therapy, boot camp was amazing, trips away snowboarding and caving were some of my fondest experiences, but doing my shield was one of my most memorable experiences, I’m still in contact with old friends from my Karralika experience and have been clean for 15 years, I was able to help my beautiful mother through cancer treatment only because I was clean, she passed but recovery gave me empathy and strength to take care of her, Karralika also gave me education in cooking and horticulture, I now work in landscaping because of that. I have a son and two grandchildren because I learned how to live through Karralika. Much love to Geff and Kim.
They are great the first time or second time you need help but when your financially dependant on an abusive partner and constantly relapsing they wont help you detox at home so many times (they said i cant keep using this service) (they have also told me to find an expensive luxury rehab) which me and my partner don’t exactly have the funds for! and its hard for me as Im stuck in this situation as a disabled person USING and i cant find anywhere to help me detox at home. (The detox unit does not take in people for methamphetamines unless you have a rehab in place) no rehab will accept me due to my chronic fatigue - the system is totally broken ):
Wow if never found the words.. but boot camp really sums it up. It was diving m shocking, I've been to alot of rehabs for mental health and alcohol dependence. But this was so unnecessarily harsh. Literally mean spirited like you're a maggot in the marines. I think I lasted a week and had to leave back to Sydney. I hated it so much, I couldn't say enough about how poorly they treat people.
Caution this organisation can be very harmful to addicts. My friend went there and they persecuted him until he failed in life. This is a BOOTCAMP not a modern rehab. If you cant take orders and march in line and NEVER EVER slip up then MAYBE this place is ok for you. If not BEWARE they will destroy you.
Addiction Treatment and Community Care
Levels of Care
Therapies
Treatment Approaches
Community Programmes
Client Groups
Outpatient Services and Client Support
Flexible Access
Clinical and Practical Support
Inclusive Care
Similar Centres
Frequently Asked Questions About Karralika Community Programs
Helpful information for people considering outpatient addiction treatment and community support in Canberra.
The following therapies are included: group therapy, 1-on-1 counseling and more.