Alcohol rehabilitation, often shortened to alcohol rehab, is the process in which an individual will partake in different therapies and treatments in order to overcome the effects of an alcohol addiction.
This can be done in many different ways and with many different unique alterations for each individual case; there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to rehabilitative care as every individual is different and will therefore experience different effects.
With alcohol addictions, it is often recommended that individuals attend residential rehab due to the complications and issues that can arise during the recovery process. This will be covered in further detail across this article.
All individuals who struggle with alcohol misuse or addiction should consider some form of rehabilitation, as without it their condition can often worsen significantly and cause lifelong effects to their physical and mental health.
This does not necessarily mean that these individuals must seek alcohol rehab in Thailand, but there are many reasons why this may be the most suitable option for individuals struggling with an alcohol addiction.
Alcohol, specifically, has been linked to damage of the cardiovascular system (1) – a serious cause for concern if left untreated.
Alcohol rehab is something that all individuals struggling with alcohol should consider. Not only can alcohol have serious and life-threatening effects on the individual themselves, but it can also severely affect those around them i.e., close friends and family.
Alcohol rehab abroad is therefore something that some individuals may consider, either for specific medical or personal reasons, or just for a change.
It may not be suitable for every individual to attend alcohol rehab abroad, but it is something that many individuals should enquire about.
Many studies in the field of addiction focus on the US population, but these studies often show that residential rehabilitation is the most effective form of treatment in terms of individuals’ reports and satisfaction with care (2).
There are many reasons why an individual may choose to attend alcohol rehab abroad in places such as Thailand rather than their country of residence.
As mentioned above, alcohol rehab abroad in places such as Thailand may not be suitable for every individual case, but this should be discussed thoroughly before an individual makes any final decisions.
This discussion could be had with a medical professional or addiction expert but is essential before the individual chooses any rehabilitation options in order to avoid future confusion and/or delay of care.
The following subheadings outline why Thailand is such as popular destination for alcohol rehab abroad, and how this may aid their future care.
When attending alcohol rehab far away from the individual’s country of primary residence, they are providing themselves with complete privacy.
In some cases, individuals may choose to attend alcohol rehab in private, without telling most people where they are going and what they are doing.
When it comes to alcohol rehabilitation in Thailand, individuals are unlikely to see anyone they know, they are in a completely fresh environment and are often separated from influences such as their phone, social media, and other connections with the wider world.
This allows for complete privacy and discretion when recovering – something which may be essential for care in the case of high-profile clients or for those who would prefer to recover without intervention from outside sources.
As well as being a source of private and discrete care, partaking in rehab abroad can also be a great motivational factor for individuals undergoing their recovery journey.
By taking themselves away from their previous environment, individuals can often feel more motivated toward committing to a rehabilitation programme as they have often travelled a long time or have spent a long time preparing for this form of care.
Not only does this provide motivation and a boost in attitude toward alcohol rehab, attending alcohol rehab in Thailand can be a great way for individuals to avoid distractions, meaning that they have a greater overall focus on care and spend more dedicated time on this process than they may do in their primary country of residence.
In general, there are many benefits to attending alcohol rehab while in a country such as Thailand, with many of these being specialised to this location.
Located in Southeast Asia, Thailand is renowned for its beautiful beaches, ancient ruins, and a strong connection with spirituality.
Spirituality is something that can greatly benefit individuals seeking alcohol rehab as – when combined with other forms of treatment – holistic therapies such as yoga and meditation can greatly increase an individual’s perception of their care, increasing motivation and helping them to discover more about themselves and their struggles with alcohol.
In general, alcohol rehab (and other forms of rehabilitation in general) often follows the three stages of care.
These stages are designed to lead on from one another, meaning that an individual must progress through each stage in turn to gain the full benefits from each and to prepare them for the next.
For example, the detoxification stage is first and this is where an individual will withdraw from the substance that they are addicted to and prepare their body physically for the further stages.
With alcohol, a detox session must always be supervised by a medical professional to avoid the harmful and potentially life-threatening effects that may arise during this process.
Next, an individual will partake in a variety of different therapies and specific treatments that are recommended and specialised to their individual needs. This stage focusses on the individual’s mental well-being and is often the longest stage of care.
As a final (and often ongoing) stage, aftercare is essential. This refers to any further treatment that an individual receives to treat the effects of their addiction after the majority of their care within a centre.
Some centres offer complimentary aftercare, but this should always be mentioned and checked before the individual makes any final decisions about their alcohol rehab in Thailand.
Alcohol rehab is essential for any individual who feels as though they may be struggling with alcohol, so getting help sooner rather than later is always recommended.
Get in touch with your local healthcare services or start looking at the different referral services that are available in your area today.
[1] Moushmoush, B. and Abi-Mansour, P., 1991. Alcohol and the heart: The long-term effects of alcohol on the cardiovascular system. Archives of Internal Medicine, 151(1), pp.36-42.
[2] Kumar, T.P., Nagaraju, G.V., Swamy, P.K., Bhanu, K.U. and Salam, A., 2018. Alcohol Rehabilitation: Right Treatment and New Beginning. Indo American Journal of Pharmaceutical Research.