Kurtley Beale has described his recall to the Wallabies squad for the British and Irish Lions Test series as the "pinnacle" of his career.

Speaking for the first time since he received counselling for alcoholic issues to the Sydney Morning Herald, the Rebels player declined to go into details about his treatment, instead focusing on the fact that he was trying to move forwards.

"I am very grateful for the opportunity," Beale said before Wallabies training at Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, a great honour and to represent your country like this is a pinnacle."

While Beale admitted that he still had things to work on off the pitch, he thanked friends and the Australian Rugby Union for their support.

Beale did not elaborate on how he had put himself in a position to return to the Test arena, saying: "all my team-mates know and that's what matters", but sitting alongside Robbie Deans, he added that he was "very, very excited, over the moon, mate. It's a time to kick on and move on with my life."

Beale, who trained with the Wallabies last week in Sydney, may be behind James O'Connor in the pecking order for the fly-half jersey but also offers experience at full-back.