Before treatment

How do I apply to do the Kamira program?

You can apply by contacting Kamira on 02 43 92 1341, or emailing info@kamira.com.au.

You will be sent a letter requesting information from your health care provider. Once we receive this information a telephone assessment time will be arranged. As part of your assessment process you may be asked to provide further information about your mental health, criminal history or involvement with child protection services.


How long should I expect to be on the waiting list?

Once you have completed a telephone assessment and provided any reports required you may be on the waiting list for a number of weeks depending on bed availability. Priority is given to pregnant women, Aboriginal women and women referred through the MERIT program.


What should I do while I am waiting to come to Kamira?

While you are on the waiting list you will be asked to call Kamira at least twice a week to keep your place on the waiting list. You will also need to make practical preparations for your stay at Kamira.


Does Kamira offer detoxification services? 

No. You must detox elsewhere prior to your admission. You can do this at a residential detox or by providing a number of clear urinalysis results.


I have a mental illness, can I come to Kamira?

Yes, provided your mental health is stable. Many of Kamira’s residents have mental health conditions. We work with you and mental health professionals to find a plan that works well for you.


Can I take medications while I’m at Kamira?

Yes. You can continue to take all prescribed medication. All new residents have their medication reviewed by a GP and, if necessary by a psychiatrist or other specialist.


I’m on opiate replacement therapy, can I come to Kamira?

No. Kamira does not currently provide services to women on opiate replacement therapy. You will need to withdraw from opiate treatment if you wish to be admitted to Kamira.


Can I smoke at Kamira?

No. Kamira is a smoke free service. Kamira provides nicotine replacement therapy for 8 weeks after admission. After this, you need to provide your own nicotine replacement.


How many women and children can be at Kamira?

Kamira can accept up to 16 women and 6 children.


Will I have my own room at Kamira?

Rooms are shared. Mothers and children have their own room. If you are at Kamira without children you may share your room with one or two women. 


Can I come to Kamira from interstate?

Yes.


Can I come to Kamira straight from custody?

Yes, however you need to have a release date before an assessment can be conducted.


How can I help my family member to come to Kamira?

You can provide support and encouragement for your family member to begin the referral process. They also may need help providing documentation, accessing detox, packing and storage of belongings or care for pets.

Children

Can I bring my children with me?

Yes. Kamira will accept up to 2 children per resident up to the age of 8 years old.


Will my children go to daycare/school?

Children up to the age of 12 months stay in the care of their mother. Children older than 12 months attend at least 3 days of daycare offsite. School age children attend the local primary school.


My young children are not in my care, can they visit me at Kamira?

Yes. Visits happen in line with the current arrangements that are in your place for your child. We encourage and support visits from children starting from admission, and often have children on regular overnight stays with their mothers. 


I’m pregnant, can I still come to Kamira?

Yes. Kamira accommodates pregnant women. You attend ante natal appointments at Wyong Hospital, which is nearby, and give birth at Gosford Hospital.  You have post-natal visits at Kamira from the midwives. Your baby remains in your care at Kamira. 


What services are available to my infant or child at Kamira?

Resident children are clients of the Child and Family Team. The team offers assessment, attachment based therapy and infant massage. You may also request visits from the Child Health nurses.

The program

How can I support my family member while they are at Kamira?

In first 4 weeks you can write emails or letters and there is some limited phone contact. After this you may have phone contact each day and visit your family member on weekends. 


What is a typical day like at Kamira?

The day at Kamira follows a timetable. On weekdays there is a group program and individual counselling. The group program is based on developing recovery skills through information and experiential sessions. The weekends are time for recreation, leave and visitors. LINK TO GENERAL WEEKDAY TIMETABLE


Is Kamira a 12 Step Program (AA / NA)?

Kamira does not use a 12 Step approach. We do recognise that some people find attending AA or NA meetings helpful in maintaining their recovery. Residents in the later stages of the Kamira program can attend AA/NA meetings offsite as part of their recovery plan.


What activities does Kamira provide?

Kamira offers a range of wellbeing and self-care activities including a morning walk, and onsite gym. Yoga, Art Therapy and Personal Training are part of the group program. Residents find these activities to be extremely helpful, enabling them to put self-care into practice, and helping them stay healthy and maintain their recovery.


What leave do I have during the program? 

You can have day leave after 4 weeks. You will have increasing leave as you progress through the program. In the last stage of the program, your time at Kamira and time spent in the community will be based on your individual recovery plan. 


Can I have visitors at Kamira?

You can have visitors on weekends during visiting time after four weeks. Visits from your dependent children can be arranged after admission. 


What happens if I use drugs or alcohol while I am at Kamira?

Kamira is an abstinence based service with regular and random urinalysis, breathalyser and smokalyser testing. If you test positive for drugs or alcohol you will be asked to leave.

Re-integration amd aftercare

How am I supported to return to the community?

Re-integration into the community is at a pace to suit you. Throughout your stay at Kamira you will develop a recovery plan with detailed, personalised strategies for mood management and substance use triggers. 

During re-integration you will identify and address any issues that might affect maintaining your recovery.

Kamira’s Aftercare service will be available to you if you complete the program. As part of your Aftercare you may be able to attend groups and see clinical staff. 


I’m thinking I’m going to lapse, or I’ve lapsed – what now?

You can call us weekdays for support from clinical staff. On the weekend you will need to call other support services. We also recommend you seek further support from your current AOD counsellor or health care professional. 

Former residents' comments - maybe others?

Is it worth staying in residential treatment?

Yes, at first staying in residential treatment could be difficult. Some people find the first few weeks the hardest. It is common to want to leave and to feel very anxious and angry as you get used to being without drugs. 

Women who have finished the program have found that if you feel like leaving, their advice is to accept that it is hard and to keep giving it another day. You can talk about how you feel to your counsellor and to longer term residents. They say you will not regret staying: and the longer you stay, the better chance you have of learning about yourself and rebuilding your life.

Useful telephone numbers and support services

Lifeline
131 114

Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS) 
1800 422 599

Al-Anon and Nar-Anon
Al -Anon – 1300 252 666
Nar-Anon - [02] 8004 1214

Family Drug Support (FDS)
1300 368 186

Parent Drug Information Service 
1800 422 599

Department of Family and Community Services (FACS) 
132 111

Kids Help Line
1800 551 800 ​