Why Travel Abroad for Addiction or Mental Health Treatment?

Choosing an inpatient treatment programme is a big decision. There is the cost to consider, which even with the help of insurance may not be negligible. More importantly, there is the cost of time. When you plan to devote weeks or months to treatment for addiction or mental illness, you want to be sure that time is well spent, because you can’t get it back.

One major decision to make when choosing a treatment center is whether to look for one close to home or travel for rehab to a different area. You may be asking yourself, “should I travel for addiction treatment?” There are valid reasons for traveling for rehab, as well as staying close to home. The treatment options that are right for you depend largely on your own situation and priorities. Here are some questions that can help you decide whether traveling for addiction or mental health treatment is a good idea for you

Can you take time out from your life?

If you plan to commit to an inpatient programme, it’s absolutely necessary to be able to step away from your regular life for a while. That means being able to take time away from work, school, family, or other obligations. If you are struggling with addiction to drugs or alcohol, or mental illness, prioritising recovery is the best thing you can do for both yourself and your family, but for some people, putting their responsibilities on hold is just not possible. Single parents, people working for an hourly wage, and students who need to meet scholarship obligations are common examples of people who don’t have the luxury of focusing entirely on recovery by traveling for rehab. For people in those types of situations asking themselves “should I travel for addiction treatment?”, an intensive outpatient program at a local rehab near home is often a better choice. It allows them to juggle their other priorities while addressing their mental health issues or addiction.

If you are considering traveling for rehab, the length of stay typically varies between 30-90 days, depending on the severity of your addiction, as well as how many different stages of treatment occur onsite. Those who prefer support beyond basic early treatment will typically stay more than 30 days when they travel for rehab as part of their overall treatment plan.

How much do you value your privacy?

One major advantage of traveling abroad for treatment is that you are unlikely to run into people you know. When you are farther from home, there is less chance people will know you are getting treatment for addiction or mental illness. Getting treatment is, of course, the most responsible thing you can do. Well informed people know that addiction and mental illness are just some of life’s many challenges. However, they also know that not everyone sees it that way. If your livelihood depends on your reputation, and you are concerned that seeking treatment for addiction or mental health issues might be a liability, traveling for rehab is an extra safeguard for your privacy. Not only can you distance yourself from prying eyes, but you can plausibly say you are taking an extended vacation, which, in a sense, you are.

How hard is it to avoid triggers?

This one is especially important for people recovering from addiction, but it might apply to other situations that cause you stress and anxiety as well. People recovering from addiction sometimes find that wherever they turn, there is an old temptation – friends who still drink or use, old haunts that call to you when you pass, and situations that cause you stress. When you are asking yourself, “should I travel for rehab?” remember that getting far away from the triggers of home can give you the necessary space to begin healing while being surrounded by a positive support system. A change in scenery can cause a change in perspective. Traveling for rehab is a way of making a clean break from old habits, and a chance to begin cultivating a new, healthier outlook.

What are your preferences regarding treatment?

If you want to stay near home for treatment, you are limited to what’s available in your area, but if you are willing to travel for rehab, you can be pickier about your treatment, including the staff, the treatment methods, the facilities, the lodgings, the complementary treatments, the amenities, and even the scenery.

Services provided at rehabs abroad can include a wide range of offerings such as access to different types of individual and group therapies and holistic wellness practices such as yoga, meditation, fitness training, or massage. Some rehab clinics will also offer access to advanced technologies like transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), a gentle treatment for depression that is effective at relieving symptoms of depression for those who have not responded well to medication.

If you are traveling for drug rehab, you’ll also want to note options for medical treatment, such as onsite detox. This allows you to safely detox at the treatment centre under medical supervision, with staff nearby to make sure you are comfortable and supported during this first stage of treatment.

Whatever you imagine as the perfect treatment experience can probably be found, but it might not be found close to home.

Are you looking for a good value?

Just because you can afford to pay top dollar for quality treatment doesn’t necessarily mean you want to. One huge advantage of traveling abroad for treatment is that you can often get excellent quality care for a fraction of the cost.

The Dawn has excellent facilities and staff, most of whom have been educated and trained in the West, and your stay here will cost less than half of the typical 40,000 USD/30,000 GBP monthly rates at a US or UK facility with a similar level of care. World travelers and expats have known for years that a dollar or pound goes further in Thailand. Now you can get that same value in addiction or mental health treatment when you travel for rehab.

Is there somewhere you want to go?

Getting treatment for addiction or mental illness is a serious matter, but that doesn’t mean recovery is all about grim determination. Taking time to have fun and relax is a crucial part of any recovery plan. When you’re wondering, “should I travel for rehab?” consider that going abroad can provide opportunities you might not have at home. One of the many benefits of traveling for rehab is the opportunity to have new experiences in a different culture. Not only can these be fun, exciting, and relaxing, but they can totally change your perspective. What’s more, people often feel nervous about entering treatment, especially inpatient treatment. Entering treatment in a place you’ve always wanted to visit replaces anxiety with excitement. It’s also a kind of reward for making a commitment to get healthy.

Getting Well at The Dawn Rehab Thailand

The Dawn Wellness Centre and Rehab Thailand is a uniquely designed rehabilitation and wellness facility created to foster an environment of personal growth and healing for people who want to change their lives and overcome addiction or mental health issues.

Internationally accredited by the American Accreditation Commission International, and nationally licensed by the Thai Ministry of Health, The Dawn offers tailor made plans that cater to each individual’s needs by using a comprehensive, holistic treatment method and modern techniques with proven results. The Dawn treats a broad range of disorders, including substance, sex, and gambling addictions, depression, anxiety, and trauma.

We work with each client to create a highly customised treatment and aftercare plan to ensure the best opportunity for a successful, sustainable recovery after they return home. Call us today for a confidential consultation to learn more about The Dawn’s programmes.