Seeking Recommendations for Alcohol Rehab Centers in Thailand

[pedro01]

Hi everyone,

 

I’m reaching out to seek advice and recommendations for a close friend of mine who is struggling with severe alcohol addiction. He’s been drinking heavily for over 15 years, and his health has reached a critical point. His family and I are working together to help him recover and rebuild his life.

 

We’re currently considering rehabilitation centers in Thailand, as we believe the structured and supportive environment here could be what he needs. However, we’re also mindful of costs and want to ensure we choose a facility that provides effective care without unnecessary luxury expenses.

 

We’ve looked into some options, including Wat Tham Krabok, but we’re concerned about the "cold turkey" approach and potential health risks. We’d prefer a medically supervised detox and a program that focuses on both physical and emotional recovery.

 

If anyone has experience with rehab centers in Thailand—whether personally or through friends or family—I’d greatly appreciate hearing your insights. Specifically:

1. Recommendations for rehab centers offering affordable but high-quality care.
2. Your experiences with specific facilities—positive or negative.
3. Estimated costs and what’s typically included in the program (e.g., accommodation, meals, therapy).
4. Advice on what to look for when choosing a rehab center and any potential red flags.
5.  

Our plan is for him to spend 30 days in a rehab center, followed by a 60-day stay with me in a quiet area to continue his recovery in a supportive environment. His family intends for him to move permanently to Spain afterward to avoid triggers in his current UK environment.

 

I’d really appreciate any guidance or recommendations from those who have been through this process or know someone who has.

 

Thanks so much for your time and support.

 

Best regards,
Pedro

[Andy F]

Try Hope House in Bang Sarray. It's near Pattaya 

 

https://hopehousethailand.com/

 

Best wishes

 

Andy F

[DrJack54]

5 hours ago, pedro01 said:

His family intends for him to move permanently to Spain afterward to avoid triggers in his current UK environment.

Am I reading this correctly.

Currently located in the UK.

Plan is for him to come to Thailand for rehab (3 months) and then live in Spain.

You must be a good friend (seriously)

However a saying we have in Oz springs to mind..."Buckley's and None" 

 

[Yagoda]

A friend of yours.

 

Hope House is highly rated. Good luck.

[Centigrade32]

10 hours ago, pedro01 said:

Hi everyone,

 

I’m reaching out to seek advice and recommendations for a close friend of mine who is struggling with severe alcohol addiction. He’s been drinking heavily for over 15 years, and his health has reached a critical point. His family and I are working together to help him recover and rebuild his life.

 

We’re currently considering rehabilitation centers in Thailand, as we believe the structured and supportive environment here could be what he needs. However, we’re also mindful of costs and want to ensure we choose a facility that provides effective care without unnecessary luxury expenses.

 

We’ve looked into some options, including Wat Tham Krabok, but we’re concerned about the "cold turkey" approach and potential health risks. We’d prefer a medically supervised detox and a program that focuses on both physical and emotional recovery.

 

If anyone has experience with rehab centers in Thailand—whether personally or through friends or family—I’d greatly appreciate hearing your insights. Specifically:

1. Recommendations for rehab centers offering affordable but high-quality care.
2. Your experiences with specific facilities—positive or negative.
3. Estimated costs and what’s typically included in the program (e.g., accommodation, meals, therapy).
4. Advice on what to look for when choosing a rehab center and any potential red flags.
5.  

Our plan is for him to spend 30 days in a rehab center, followed by a 60-day stay with me in a quiet area to continue his recovery in a supportive environment. His family intends for him to move permanently to Spain afterward to avoid triggers in his current UK environment.

 

I’d really appreciate any guidance or recommendations from those who have been through this process or know someone who has.

 

Thanks so much for your time and support.

 

Best regards,
Pedro

 

Michael Barrymore recommends The Cabin https://www.thecabinchiangmai.com

 

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-14014961/Michael-Barrymore-rehab-reviews.html 

[CanadaSam]

One should actually research the cost of rehabs in different countries to realize that Thailand has some of the most expensive centers in the world.

 

Most rehabs all work off the same playbook, using drugs to detox first, then psychological treatments with physical exercise and a daily routine to bring one back to sanity.

 

Places like India have very good treatment centres at a tenth of the cost of Thailand.

[pedro01]

9 hours ago, CanadaSam said:

One should actually research the cost of rehabs in different countries to realize that Thailand has some of the most expensive centers in the world.

 

Most rehabs all work off the same playbook, using drugs to detox first, then psychological treatments with physical exercise and a daily routine to bring one back to sanity.

 

Places like India have very good treatment centres at a tenth of the cost of Thailand.

 

what India doesn't have

- me to have the police escort him off the plane to me waiting in my car

- me delivering him to the rehab center 

- me taking care of him for 60 days after rehab (yes, I am an EX addict and I fully understand the headspace he'll be in after just 30 days rehab and that it's the start of a long journey)

- me taking him to the airport and having him police escorted to the gate for his trip back to Europe

- his family meeting him in Europe where he can continue his journey

 

UK doctors have refused to put him through detox prior to the flight. He says he'll taper off prior to coming - but he's an alcoholic. So whilst he is willing to come - we can't trust him waiting for a flight at the airport in UK - there's bars there!

 

Post rehab - my experience was an inability to focus for a long period of time. Of extreme muscle and joint issues getting moving again. He works in the building industry - mostly on the finishing side and so the plan is to give him a purpose while he's here - to help us renovate the house as much or as little as possible - maybe new kitchen cupboards, maybe wallpaper and painting, maybe new bathroom - whatever he can manage - but something with purpose that will help regain his dignity.

 

We'll also use the time to re-establish lost relationships - many people I've spoken to want nothing more than to see the person he once was again. That means rebuilding bridges he thought he'd burnt and that I've since found he hasn't.

 

So - Thailand is a good place. He wont have money in his pocket at any point and he's agreed to that - he doesn't know the place - he's agreed to 90 days here and 60 of which are at our house - with the blessing of my wife. We'll go on walks and eventually runs and swims. We'll do temples and Lopburi and stuff like that - but mostly - he'll be recovering his health and dignity.

 

What we don't want - is him going back to his home town and his family are all in Spain and can watch over him as he continues his recovery journey.

 

What we also don't want is him sitting in a bunch of meetings where he'll be counting the days since his last drink and being told he's an addict forever - that's bull<deleted>.

 

It's like a toxic relationship - you leave because it is damaging - but the love is still there. Once you fall out of love with your poison - you are no longer addicted and in a state where you'd rather eat <deleted> than go back to it.

 

Of course - that is my lived experience and the best I can do is guide him through it - the rehabs I have spoken to so far think it's a wonderful idea. 

[pedro01]

15 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Am I reading this correctly.

Currently located in the UK.

Plan is for him to come to Thailand for rehab (3 months) and then live in Spain.

You must be a good friend (seriously)

However a saying we have in Oz springs to mind..."Buckley's and None" 

 

 

Thank you.

 

I believe he would do the same for me if the tables were turned. He is a lovely guy who has taken a very dark turn.

[pedro01]

9 hours ago, CanadaSam said:

One should actually research the cost of rehabs in different countries to realize that Thailand has some of the most expensive centers in the world.

 

Most rehabs all work off the same playbook, using drugs to detox first, then psychological treatments with physical exercise and a daily routine to bring one back to sanity.

 

Places like India have very good treatment centres at a tenth of the cost of Thailand.

 

Agreed - depends on your poison.

 

For booze and coke - they knock you out on Benzos for a few days to prevent seizures. 

 

For heroin - I think that's a much longer taper off.

 

But the activities and treatments - like CBT - do vary a lot - as do the availability of medical professionals on site. 

[pedro01]

Note - I will be checking out all of the recommendations here.

 

Thanks

[Delta Shift]

25 minutes ago, pedro01 said:

Note - I will be checking out all of the recommendations here.

 

Thanks

 

Best of luck to you and your friend

[DrJack54]

7 hours ago, pedro01 said:

 

I believe he would do the same for me if the tables were turned. He is a lovely guy who has taken a very dark turn.

@Sheryl may have some suggestions or point you to one of the pinned threads

[Sheryl]

Please see pinned thread 

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/839185-rehab-options-for-alcohol-andor-drug-addiction-in-thailand/

 

 

 

However you are going to find that the sort of place you have in mind is extremely expensive here. Possibly more so than in the UK or Spain with much less success rate. Other than Wat Tham Krabok and New Life they are all very much for-profit  "luxury" places. 

 

You are right to be concerned about Wat Tham Krabok's  extreme approach, it needs an iron will and strong physical constitution   to get through that and it lacks medically trained staff to deal with physical effects of detox which can be severe,  even life threatening .

. ..especially in an older person.

 

New Life is not set up or staffed to deal with physical detox, it is more suitable for people  looking to make a new start after having already  detoxed and also is very much centered on Buddhist theory and practice, might not make much sense  to someone  who does not have that background. Also English speaking can be a bit limited as it is oriented to Thais.

 

So that leaves the "luxury" places. Of these, the Cabin is the longest-standing/ probably the most experienced. 

 

Or else somewhere other than Thsiland.  There are quite a lit of places in Spain though I can't  suggest one over the other. 

[pedro01]

On 1/14/2025 at 7:49 AM, Andy F said:

Try Hope House in Bang Sarray. It's near Pattaya 

 

https://hopehousethailand.com/

 

Best wishes

 

Andy F

 

Contacted them. This is likely to be the one.

 

Thanks!

[pedro01]

On 1/14/2025 at 8:38 AM, Yagoda said:

A friend of yours.

 

Hope House is highly rated. Good luck.

 

Yeah - very cool people 

[pedro01]

I won't quote Hope rates here -  but it is not at all expensive

[StandardIssue]

Generally speaking, in my opinion and experience, all rehabs in Thailand (and all over the world) are glorified detox centers and are basically an expensive introduction to AA or NA. All of them will encourage joining AA or NA once the stay is concluded and you are "on our own". Some of them will even start a "patient" on the 12 steps and have them do some of them while in "treatment".

 

An inexpensive way to go about getting recovery from alcoholism (if the man is indeed an alcoholic) is, under a Doctors care, get detoxed from alcohol and then follow up by attending strong AA meetings. (Strong AA meetings are ones that encourage doing the 12 step program with a sponsor who uses AA literature to guide a man through the 12 step program to recovery from alcoholism)

 

Your friend has to be willing to do all this though. If he is not willing to ask for help or work towards recovery than there is not much that can be done.

 

The old adage applies. You can't help someone who doesn't want help.

 

Desperation and eagerness to get recovery is pretty much essential to recover from alcoholism. It doesn't happen, for instance, by only going to AA meetings. In good AA meetings we say meetings are helpful but meetings do not bring about recovery from alcoholism. Doing the 12 step program does. If your man is willing to go to meetings, get a sponsor and do the 12 steps with him he can recovery from alcoholism.

[pedro01]

On 1/14/2025 at 7:49 AM, Andy F said:

Try Hope House in Bang Sarray. It's near Pattaya 

 

https://hopehousethailand.com/

 

Best wishes

 

Andy F

 

Thanks for this.

 

My friend is almost done with a month at Hope House and the transformation has been incredible.

 

I would heartily recommend it.

[pedro01]

On 2/7/2025 at 1:55 AM, StandardIssue said:

Generally speaking, in my opinion and experience, all rehabs in Thailand (and all over the world) are glorified detox centers and are basically an expensive introduction to AA or NA. All of them will encourage joining AA or NA once the stay is concluded and you are "on our own". Some of them will even start a "patient" on the 12 steps and have them do some of them while in "treatment".

 

An inexpensive way to go about getting recovery from alcoholism (if the man is indeed an alcoholic) is, under a Doctors care, get detoxed from alcohol and then follow up by attending strong AA meetings. (Strong AA meetings are ones that encourage doing the 12 step program with a sponsor who uses AA literature to guide a man through the 12 step program to recovery from alcoholism)

 

Your friend has to be willing to do all this though. If he is not willing to ask for help or work towards recovery than there is not much that can be done.

 

The old adage applies. You can't help someone who doesn't want help.

 

Desperation and eagerness to get recovery is pretty much essential to recover from alcoholism. It doesn't happen, for instance, by only going to AA meetings. In good AA meetings we say meetings are helpful but meetings do not bring about recovery from alcoholism. Doing the 12 step program does. If your man is willing to go to meetings, get a sponsor and do the 12 steps with him he can recovery from alcoholism.

 

Utter nonsense.

 

 

[pedro01]

On 1/15/2025 at 12:16 PM, Sheryl said:

Please see pinned thread 

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/839185-rehab-options-for-alcohol-andor-drug-addiction-in-thailand/

 

 

 

However you are going to find that the sort of place you have in mind is extremely expensive here. Possibly more so than in the UK or Spain with much less success rate. Other than Wat Tham Krabok and New Life they are all very much for-profit  "luxury" places. 

 

You are right to be concerned about Wat Tham Krabok's  extreme approach, it needs an iron will and strong physical constitution   to get through that and it lacks medically trained staff to deal with physical effects of detox which can be severe,  even life threatening .

. ..especially in an older person.

 

New Life is not set up or staffed to deal with physical detox, it is more suitable for people  looking to make a new start after having already  detoxed and also is very much centered on Buddhist theory and practice, might not make much sense  to someone  who does not have that background. Also English speaking can be a bit limited as it is oriented to Thais.

 

So that leaves the "luxury" places. Of these, the Cabin is the longest-standing/ probably the most experienced. 

 

Or else somewhere other than Thsiland.  There are quite a lit of places in Spain though I can't  suggest one over the other. 

 

I won't publish their prices but it was fairly inexpensive - less than $200 a day whereas a uk center could have cost over $500 a day.

[Sheryl]

Thank you for the update, I take it you mean Hope House?

 

And as you researched a number ilif places, might you be able to confirm if  these 2 are different places albeit both with "Hope" in the name and in Chonburi area?

 

https://hopehousethailand.com/

 

https://www.hope-rehab-center-thailand.com/

 

Thanks in advance

 

 

[pedro01]

3 hours ago, Sheryl said:

Thank you for the update, I take it you mean Hope House?

 

And as you researched a number ilif places, might you be able to confirm if  these 2 are different places albeit both with "Hope" in the name and in Chonburi area?

 

https://hopehousethailand.com/

 

https://www.hope-rehab-center-thailand.com/

 

Thanks in advance

 

 

 

Hope House is Sattahip - I'm honestly not sure if the 2 are related - I've not spoken to Hope Rehab.

 

Sorry I'm not much use!

[StandardIssue]

On 3/14/2025 at 9:00 PM, pedro01 said:

 

Utter nonsense.

 

 

Is that all you're going to post? Would you care to support your two word post with some informative information about how my post is "utter nonsense" ?

 

You had posted asking for help. I gave my opinion as a drug addict and alcoholic with 32 years recovery. I have helped literally over 100 men recover from alcoholism in my 32 years and all got long term recovery from AA. Most all rehab centers have AA and NA meetings and urge attendance and practice of NA or AA after the typical 30 to 90 day  "treatment".

 

I have been asked into Hope House as a guest speaker and have helped 2 men who have "graduated" from Hope House do the program of AA after they left.

 

A word of advice. Think before you make off the cuff conclusions. Otherwise you'll just expose your ignorance.

 

[StandardIssue]

On 3/14/2025 at 8:59 PM, pedro01 said:

 

Thanks for this.

 

My friend is almost done with a month at Hope House and the transformation has been incredible.

 

I would heartily recommend it.

 

Ask him if he's been encouraged to go to AA or NA there at the house. Has he been told to continue to go to AA or NA meetings after treatment?   I know this place, I'm fairly certain they still have AA and NA meetings at the facility. I had been a guest speaker for the in house AA meeting about 5 years ago.

 

A word of caution. One month of not drinking does not guarantee he will stay sober. That is why most all rehabs tell clients to go to AA or NA after "treatment.

 

You are going to see a big change in man if he's now sober for one month, especially if he was a long term alcohol abuser. This will be the "transformation" you have observed.

 

But, again, that doesn't mean he's "cured". It does not guarantee he will stay sober and stopped. Please encourage him to attend AA meetings and do the program of AA for long term recovery from alcoholism.