Opioids are a class of drugs that can be potent painkillers. One of the most prevalent opioids is heroin, which was responsible for 455 of the 1693 drug-related deaths in Australia in 2022. While it’s not the most prevalent form of drug addiction in Australia, opioid use has become a cause for concern in the country.
There are treatment centres in the country that help a person manage their cravings and overcome substance use. But some people may find that the treatment centre they need to go to is Orchid in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
What is Opioid Addiction?
Opioid addiction, or Opioid Use Disorder, is a behavioural health condition that is characterised by the compulsion to use opioids. There are opioid medications that are on the market, but they are tightly controlled and can only be obtained with a doctor’s prescription. However, many people are prescribed opioids and become addicted, so they often turn to illicitly manufactured drugs to satisfy their cravings. Opioid use can have numerous consequences. One is that opioid withdrawal can become more severe the longer drug use goes on.
Another consequence of long-term opioid addiction is that a person may develop a tolerance. With tolerance, a person’s mind and body acclimate to the drug, and its effects are dulled. This can cause a person to take more to get the same high, which can increase the risk of an overdose. Some people can also have cognitive impairments and hallucinations as a result of taking opioids over some time. Others may also develop depressive symptoms as a result of taking opioids for more than 30 days. Some people may also find themselves chronically constipated and developing sleep-disordered breathing
Addiction Treatment in Thailand
Our addiction treatment programme in Thailand consists of two parts. The first part of our treatment is detox. During detox, a person will purge their bodies of all the drugs that they’ve taken. This can cause someone to develop withdrawal symptoms as the mind and body adapt to the lack of drugs. These symptoms can include diarrhoea, nausea, sweating, vomiting, sweating, muscle aches, anxiety, agitation, and strong drug cravings. Our detox programme typically lasts between 5 to 7 days. More complicated cases of withdrawal will be referred to the nearby National Hospital.
The next part of our treatment is residential rehab. In this type of treatment, a person will stay at our alcohol and drug rehab. They will be in a controlled environment where they will have no access to illicit substances. If there are any medications they might need, then medical staff will manage the administration. The main modalities that will be used during inpatient treatment are Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT). However, Motivational Interviewing and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy can be used depending on the patient’s needs. The length of treatment can vary between 4, 8, and 12 weeks, once again depending on the patient’s needs.
Why Come to Our Rehab Centre
There are several options in Australia to address addiction. However, there are still numerous reasons to come to Chiang Mai to treat opioid addiction and other substance use disorders. Some of these reasons include:
Cost Efficiency
Private addiction treatment in Australia can be quite expensive. However, our centre in Thailand offers luxury amenities and world-class care at a more affordable rate. This can make coming to us the more cost-effective option to get addiction rehab, even with the cost of travelling.
Privacy
Drug abuse can be a sensitive subject for some people, and they may not want their communities to know that they need to treat opiate addiction. As such, when seeking treatment for opioid addiction, privacy can be important for them. The distance between Thailand and Australia can add a protective layer over a person’s privacy.
Accepts Everyone
Our luxury rehab centre accepts men, women, couples, and members of the LGBT+ community. Addiction does not discriminate, and neither does our treatment.
Distance from Normal Circumstances
Another benefit of coming to us is that it can distance a person from their normal circumstances. This can give someone the space they need to focus on their recovery.
Staff in Recovery
Some of the addiction experts in our drug and alcohol rehab are in recovery themselves. This means that they understand the struggles our guests go through because they have gone through those struggles themselves.
Various Activities
Holistic treatment is a daily occurrence at our centre. These can include yoga, sound baths, mindfulness, meditation, and trauma-release exercises. Additionally, activities such as swimming, sightseeing, Thai boxing, and cooking classes are also facilitated.
What We Treat in Our Rehab in Thailand
We treat a variety of concerns at our treatment facility in Thailand. Some of what we treat include:
Substance Use
Other than opioid addiction, some of the substance addictions that we treat include alcohol, cocaine, benzodiazepines, synthetic drugs, marijuana, meth, ketamine, and hallucinogens.
Process Addiction
Some of the process addictions that we treat at our facility in Thailand are gambling addiction, sex addiction, gaming addiction, shopping addiction, and internet addiction.
Mental Health Disorders
At The Orchid, we treat a variety of mental health disorders, such as burnout, anxiety, depression, trauma, PTSD, and clinically stable mood disorders. However, we do not treat patients with suicidal ideation or borderline personality disorder. We also do not offer treatment for active eating disorders.
Therapies in Our Rehab Programme
Addiction is a complex disease, and therapy will often be at the centre of our treatment. The forms of therapy that we use to treat our clients are:
Individual Therapy
Individual therapy can be vital for treating substance use. It can provide a safe space where a person can delve into the root causes of their addiction as well as develop healthy coping mechanisms.
Group Therapy
Group therapy can be an important facet of a person's recovery. These groups can provide emotional support during the recovery process and can even help a person with making plans and developing skills to prevent relapse.
Family Therapy
Family therapy will generally happen towards the end of a person's time at Orchid. Loved ones will fly out to Chiang Mai to participate in sessions at our facility. If this is not possible, online options are available as well.
Overcome the Effects of Opioid Use
Addiction is not something that has to be permanent. If you or a loved one are addicted to opioids, understand that there is effective treatment that can help you recover. Contact us to learn more about opiate addiction treatment.