Drug and alcohol use is prevalent throughout Australia. One of the illicit drugs that is low in use among the Australian population is heroin. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, only about 0.1% of the population reported consuming heroin between 2022 and 2023. In addition, heroin was the fourth most common drug of concern for people who were receiving addiction treatment. As such, heroin addiction is a serious concern for many people throughout the country. Many will seek evidence-based and holistic treatment programmes to help them overcome their use. At Orchid, a world-class treatment centre in Chiang Mai, Thailand, we offer such services.
The Consequences of Heroin Addiction
Like many forms of drug addiction, heroin addiction can have numerous health consequences. Physically, heroin can slow down a person’s breathing. This can reduce the flow of oxygen to the brain. In severe cases, this can lead to a coma or can be possibly fatal. Some users may also inject heroin and share needles. This can increase a person’s risk for diseases such as HIV or hepatitis. Heroin use can also cause major organ damage, especially to the kidneys and the heart.
Another consequence of heroin addiction is tolerance, which can lead to dulled effects when taking the drug. This can cause some people to increase their intake, which can increase the risk of an overdose. Heroin can also cause several mental health issues. Depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders can come about as a result of heroin addiction or even treatment. Those with existing mental health troubles can find that heroin use exacerbates the severity of their symptoms.
Heroin Addiction Treatment in Thailand
At Orchid Thailand, our rehab programme typically consists of detox and residential treatment. Detox is the phase of treatment wherein a person purges their body of illicit substances, and this can be an uncomfortable procedure due to the possibility of withdrawal symptoms. These withdrawal symptoms can include insomnia, potent cravings for heroin, cold flashes, restless legs, nausea, and bone and muscle aches. Our detox programme can help manage these withdrawal symptoms and typically lasts between 5 to 7 days. However, severe or complicated cases of withdrawal may need a higher level of care, at which point they’ll be referred to the National Hospital, around 30 minutes away from our centre.
The other facet of our alcohol and drug rehab is residential treatment. In residential treatment, a person will stay in our drug and alcohol rehab centre in northern Thailand. While in our inpatient addiction treatment program, a patient will have no access to the substances that they’re addicted to. Any medications that a client may need will be administered by a nurse. The length of a person’s stay can vary from 4, 8, and 12 weeks, depending on their needs and treatment plan.
Why Come to Rehab in Thailand?
While there are options to treat drug and alcohol addiction in Australia, there are also several reasons to come to our rehab centre in Thailand. Some of the reasons to come to us for addiction recovery include:
Cost Efficiency
An addiction treatment centre in Australia can be expensive, especially if it is a luxury rehab centre. However, coming to us in Thailand can make world-class addiction and mental health more accessible, even after factoring in the cost of travel.
Distance from Triggers
Coming to our residential rehab in Chiang Mai also puts distance between a person and their triggers. This can help some people feel safe enough that they can focus on recovering from drug abuse.
Isolation from Enablers
There are times when loved ones may contribute to a person’s substance use, and coming to our Thailand rehab centre can also isolate a person from their enablers. This can help a person focus on addiction treatment and mental wellness.
Privacy
Another reason to opt for luxury drug and alcohol rehab in Thailand is that it can offer privacy. Some people may not want it known that they are receiving treatment for heroin addiction, so the added privacy of being in a foreign country can be important.
Staff in Recovery
Some of the staff members in our alcohol and drug rehab in Thailand are in recovery themselves. This means that they will understand the struggles that our guests are going through because they have been through those struggles themselves.
Queer Friendly
Mental health and addiction troubles can affect anyone. Being that Thailand is one of the most LGBT-friendly countries in Asia and was the first country in Southeast Asia to legalise same-sex unions, our treatment facility welcomes everyone who needs help in overcoming addiction.
Other Treatment Available
In addition to heroin and other substance use disorders, we also apply our treatment methods to other concerns, including:
Mental Health
Some of the mental health disorders that we treat include depression, anxiety, burnout, trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD, and clinically stable mood disorders. However, our treatment does not include active eating disorders, schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder, or patients with suicidal ideation.
Process Addiction
Process addictions are similar to substance addictions. Some of the process addictions that we treat include gambling, sex, porn, gaming, social media, and internet addiction.
Types of Therapy In Our Rehab Centre
Patients at our centre receive 1-2 counselling sessions per week, and our treatment approach encompasses a variety of therapeutic methods. The therapies that we include in our centre include:
Individual Counselling
Individual counselling can help a person delve into the root causes of their heroin use as well as develop coping skills that can help them prevent relapse.
Group Therapy
Substance addiction and mental health issues can often be isolating. Group therapy can offer a person a supportive community full of people who have been through similar struggles.
Family Therapy
Family therapy can be an integral part of recovery. It generally happens towards the end of a person's residential rehab programme. Family members can come to Thailand, and the therapy can be conducted at the facility. If that's not feasible, then online options are also available.
Our Addiction Rehab Centre Can Help You Overcome
The successful treatment of addiction or mental health can be difficult to conceive for some people. However, many people can overcome addiction, as it is not an impossible task. Recovery is difficult, but it is possible at Orchid Thailand. Contact us to learn more.