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Cultural Care Leaders
The Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol Residential Rehabilitation Network (ADARRN) is a network of Aboriginal residential rehabilitation services located throughout Australia that specifically address the needs of Aboriginal people requiring residential treatment interventions and healing for alcohol and other drug (AOD) and associated issues.
Our Purpose
ADARRN meets quarterly to support one another, share knowledge, and strengthen culturally grounded best practices in Aboriginal residential rehabilitation. Together, we advocate for our communities and aim to be a leading voice at both state and national levels—ensuring our collective experience guides the future of healing.
Logo Story
The ADARRN logo was painted in 2019 by Lindon Dargin, a proud Yorta Yorta man and father, who created it as a symbol of strength, healing and community.
In his words: “Substance abuse has devastated my life, my family and my community for generations. I put heart and soul into this painting because of what it represents.”
At its centre is a yarning circle, symbolising a meeting place—where voices are equal, stories are shared, and healing begins.
The blue and red reflect the coastal waters and inland earth, while the fish represent collective strength: thriving together, like a school, rather than swimming alone.
What We Do
ADARRN connects Aboriginal residential rehabilitation services across the country through regular gatherings, peer support, and deep knowledge exchange. It’s a space where cultural wisdom, clinical practice, and lived experience come together to strengthen healing. Through collaboration, we grow and share best-practice models of care that are shaped by community, led by Aboriginal voices, and grounded in generations of cultural knowledge.
FOCUS
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• Develop and share culturally informed Models of Care
• Create forums for Aboriginal Community Controlled services
• Support peer learning through secondments and gatherings
• Exchange tools, stories and practice across services
• Strengthen outreach, men’s groups, and community programs
• Build networks among CEOs, managers, and staff
• Advise governments and stakeholders on Aboriginal AOD healing
• Promote cultural governance in program delivery
• Support workforce growth through knowledge sharing
• Embed community voices in decision-making and service design
OBJECTIVES
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• Strengthen sustainability of member services
• Support Aboriginal families navigating AOD care
• Advocate for members in policy and leadership spaces
• Connect services, communities, and sector partners
• Grow and support Aboriginal healing centres
• Improve health and wellbeing for communities
• Represent members to governments and sector bodies
• Advance research and develop culturally specific tools
• Promote training in Aboriginal AOD approaches
• Uphold rights of Aboriginal people receiving care
• Champion Aboriginal-led service providers
Model Of Care
The ADARRN Model of Care (AMoC) embodies the collective wisdom of Aboriginal community-controlled residential rehabilitation services. It’s a flexible framework that places culture and identity at the heart of healing, recognizing that each service brings its unique strengths and approaches.
In 2023 the AMoC was evaluated, with the report available here.
The ADARRN Model of Care (AMoC) represents a unified, culturally-responsive framework designed to clearly reflect the diverse approaches to healing offered by our member services. At its heart, the model centres culture, ensuring that each service maintains and honours its unique cultural practices, protocols, and governance. It’s not a rigid blueprint—rather, the AMoC provides adaptable guidance, empowering services to respond effectively to their local context, community needs, and cultural responsibilities.
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The video below showcases the collaborative creation of the AMoC, highlighting the voices of our founding members, staff, clients, families, and stakeholders.
Healing & Treatment
The ADARRN Model of Care supports a wide range of healing modalities, all grounded in cultural identity and practice.
Each service brings its own unique approach, tailoring support through person-centred planning and individualised care. While methods may vary, all are delivered with cultural integrity and a shared commitment to holistic healing.
Our Members
No membership fee
• Available to Aboriginal Community Controlled Residential Rehabilitation Services
• Must be an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO)
• Must provide residential alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment
• Must follow a holistic, culturally appropriate healing approach
• Must be governed by an Aboriginal Board of Management
• Must deliver services primarily to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
• Eligible for voting rights and full participation in ADARRN decisions
Annual Fee: $100
• Open to non-residential Aboriginal AOD services or organisations
• Can include non-Aboriginal organisations with demonstrated cultural competence
• Must support the principles and goals of ADARRN
• No voting rights
• Can participate in network activities and discussions
• Encouraged to collaborate, share knowledge and support ADARRN objectives
