The 86-Test prop also says he has a burning desire to force his way back into Wallabies gold and believes a partnership with Brumbies incumbent Scott Sio can help him chase Super Rugby and international success.

Slipper spoke on Wednesday for the first time since signing a deal with the Brumbies after being ostracised by the Queensland Reds following a two-month ban for twice testing positive to cocaine.

His new start at the Brumbies is the first time he has stepped out of the Queensland rugby bubble after being a part of the Reds system for more than a decade.

But the 29-year-old is relishing the challenge of a different environment and an opportunity to resurrect his career after Brumbies coach Dan McKellar offered him a Super Rugby lifeline.

"I do feel in a [good spot] mentally. I'm probably the happiest I've been in a couple of years," Slipper said. All of my focus is on my family and the Brumbies. That's it.

"I just think the balance is better. This is my first change in 12 years - I finished school in 2006 and I've been in Brisbane ever since. So for me, this is refreshing and that's the biggest thing I'm taking from this whole thing.

It's a change I probably needed. I will always be grateful to Queensland and love the club, but from now it's about moving forward. Everything is out in the open now."

Slipper said earlier this year he had been suffering depression, opening up about his battles after serving his ban.

The Brumbies started pre-season training this week, welcoming a host of new faces including Slipper, Toni Pulu, Tom Wright and Irae Simone as the club sets its sights on a return to the finals.

Slipper considered offers from New Zealand, Europe and the Melbourne Rebels before a conversation with McKellar and Sio convinced him Canberra was the right place for him to move forward.

"There was a period there where, to be honest, I wasn't even looking at footy. Footy was the last thing," Slipper said when asked if he thought his Super Rugby career was over.

"There were plenty of opportunities to go overseas ... but I think it was best for my personal circumstances to stay in Australia and the Brumbies were a good option for me.

"I had a chat with Dan McKellar and was extremely impressed, so it's worked out well. Chatting with Dan really changed my thoughts and I'm looking forward to hopefully having some success."

The prospect of a prop rotation including Wallabies duo Sio and Allan Alaalatoa, as well as experienced international front-rower Slipper, is a daunting prospect for rival teams.

Sio and Slipper will form a loosehead combination similar to the one they had at the World Cup in 2015 and the depth will also allow the Brumbies to manage front-row workloads.

Slipper said the competition for selection and the tag-team combination with Sio would drive them both to greater heights, including his desire to earn a Wallabies recall.

He was invited into Wallabies camp earlier this year by coach Michael Cheika and he could help bolster the Australian forward pack for the World Cup in Japan next year.

"I will never say no to representing my country. As long as I'm performing, I will always put my hand up for the country," Slipper said.

"[The World Cup] is big, but it doesn't change my motivation. I've always had aspirations to get back to the Wallabies, that's a big driver for me."