Critiques of drug addiction rehab centres in Thailand?

[hermespan]

I especially welcome details and conclusions based on first hand experience.

A friend in Angeles has serious problems with his opiate addiction (regular use of crushed oxycontin as far as I can tell). Strange thing is he is part of the body-building milleu (injecting steroids, HGH etc), looking good in order to make a semi-geezer attractive to young women, and generally very health conscious: doesn't drink, is vegetarian etc.

I am telling him to get professional, medical model in-residence treatment, better in Thailand than Philippines. He has money but is cheap. I am shocked at the prices in Thailand, like $12K for a month. But if it works, that's more important. Philippines ones tend to be 'faith-based' and 12 step and I doubt he will do either. He seems to think he can do it alone, andd has gone cold turkey with his (bargirl?) girlfriend. He is making some really foolish decisions such as trying to extract vengeance on the girlfriend who ripped him off big time. Complains a lot about pain and mental agony.

On the one hand I want to fly out and escort him to a more suitable place, but what is the point of holding someone's hand unless he is willing to make an effort and investment himself? And I loathe Fields avenue, don't want to even step in that country -- to me it's the most venal place I have ever been on earth.

[georgegeorgia]

You are going off on a tangent about the Phillipines instead of the real subject which is I guess finding a cheaper drug Rehab place in Thailand.I guess that's what your asking?

There is to my knowledge and people please correct me..but a Buddhist one t7n by minks which I believe is free or by donstion for 7 days..they use a black herb substance to make the patients vomit.

[Sheryl]

Moved to the "I drink too much" forum (which also serves issues re drug abuse)

Frankly given his lack of motivation I think no point in looking into rehab options. If/when he is ready, he'll be as well served by a 12 step program as by any other. And until he is ready he will find something to object to in any program.

[inbangkok]

You cannot make someone get clean. You just can't. However, you can definitely help if they show interest in getting clean

[big carl]

You cannot make someone get clean. You just can't. However, you can definitely help if they show interest in getting clean

I whole heartedly agree.

Some times it is painful to watch but the best you can do is help them get to that point. That can be a very painful experience but if they don't get to it chances are they will continue on until Jail's, Death or other Institutions.

Try to remember their bottom can be lower than others or lower than you think it should be. I would suggest you give Alanon a try for your self. I have many many years in AA but I must admit that 7 years in Alanon helped me deal with other practicing alcoholics and drug addicts. As well as the rest of my life. They exist solely to help people like you.

[inbangkok]

You cannot make someone get clean. You just can't. However, you can definitely help if they show interest in getting clean

I whole heartedly agree.

Some times it is painful to watch but the best you can do is help them get to that point. That can be a very painful experience but if they don't get to it chances are they will continue on until Jail's, Death or other Institutions.

Try to remember their bottom can be lower than others or lower than you think it should be. I would suggest you give Alanon a try for your self. I have many many years in AA but I must admit that 7 years in Alanon helped me deal with other practicing alcoholics and drug addicts. As well as the rest of my life. They exist solely to help people like you.

Yeah, I should have clarified myself even further, because I don't want to sound crass.

Another example is that you cannot make someone lose weight and get healthy unless they want. You cannot force someone to go to the gym and you cannot force them to eat healthy. There has to be a personal desire as well. I have watched people essentially forced into rehab and AA programs throughout my life. They start using again the day they get out! It is the ones who go voluntarily that tend to make progress. They might slip up and use again, but shit happens. At least they are trying.

It is frustrating, as you said when you see friends or family doing this and refuse to be helped. But there are very limited options at that point. I think the best you can do is be there to help them when they decide they are ready.

[lostinisaan]

You cannot make someone get clean. You just can't. However, you can definitely help if they show interest in getting clean

Some people and I think that's the majority, have to experience enough problems to understand that it's time to quit.

And mostly when you're trying to "help a friend" to get clean, you're not really helping them by telling them that they have to stop.

Then you'll create something where the addict might think, you're trying to take something away from him/her that she/he really likes.

Even more than any "helpful friends." Google it and you'll find some medicine that will relief the symptoms of a cold turkey.

But if your friend doesn't really want to stop, it's all wasted time.

[big carl]

When I was living in Canada I did volunteer work in a treatment center. They called in all the volunteers one day and said they were going to a new format as all the ones they were using just showed an 8% success rate. It was about the fourth system they had tried.

There is no treatment in the world other than supervised confinement that will stop an addict if they don't want to stop. Also not always but for the most part they need to change their life style a bit they need some one or group for support.

[ding]

AA is like weight training for your "Get yer sh*t together" muscle.

IF he can train my non-responder delts into cannon ball delts - I'll tell him how I stayed sober 30 years.

lol

Seriously, he's into optimal health and has been taken hostage by addiction. Sad.

Many pro BBer's went into the drug scene too, fwiw.

When he wants to stop, the 12 step program will be there to help him stop... for free. Not a religious cult, no BS. Straight up person to person help.

"Time to man up and surrender bro"

I thnk you're a good friend hermespan. You may want to keep in mind that he's not all there anymore, if he's an addict. It may help to consider him as ill, maybe a bit mentaly ill, in a way.