Detox and 28 day residential drug rehab for 5$ per day? No waiting list and anyone is welcome?
You can have it all and you can have it now - but only if you are willing to endure a very tough spiritual process and only if you are prepared to travel to Thailand to live in a Buddhist Monastery famous for its detoxification and addiction treatment programs.
Thamkrabok Monastery
The Monastery is located a couple of hours drive from Bangkok in the province of Saraburi. Addicts are welcome to come for treatment at any time other than August (during August the temple monks depart on a traditional barefooted procession and the Monastery is closed to visitors) but visitors should call to let the monks know of their arrival before showing up.
Who is Eligible for Detox and the Addiction Treatment Program?
Any teen or adult is welcome, provided they are:
Attending of their own free will
Are prepared to follow instructions and respect the monks
Are determined to quit drugs for ever (You may only attend the Thamkrabok program once in a lifetime.)
There is no cost for the treatment. You must bring about $5 per day to pay for your food, toiletries and other basic needs. The Monastery runs on donations, but donations are not solicited, though you may give if you so choose.
Prospective guests should be aware that the conditions are VERY rustic. This is not a resort or spa like experience.
You will sleep in a dormitory with many other visitors
Thailand is a hot country, and there is no air conditioning
You will rise very early
You will work after your detoxification period
You must take the herbal medicines the monks give to you (They are unpleasant)
How Long Is Treatment at Thamkrabok Monastery?
The detoxification period is 10 days, and you must complete the entire period in treatment. You may leave after the detox period, or you may stay as a student of the monastery for up to 28 days.
What is the Philosophy of Treatment?
The Thamkrabok treatment centers on a sacred vow and ceremony that all visitors may partake in. The ceremony is called the Satja and it is a vow never again to take drugs or alcohol. If you believe in the power of the Satja, it will work for you.
The detoxification regimen is based on herbal potions, tea and herbal saunas.
Every morning at 5am, for the first 5 days of the detoxification process, detox visitors will be fed a strong herbal potion that will cause vomiting.
Detox participants will also take "Black herbal pills" each day. These pills purify the body and provide energy.
Herbal tea is drank all day long, and participants will spend a while each day in herbal saunas, further detoxifying the body.
Although the monks acknowledge the effectiveness of medications in the treatment of detoxification, the temple program does not use any outside medication. The suffering of withdrawal is incorporated in to the teachings of the program. Because of this, guests on methadone or Suboxone are not considered suitable, due to the length of time required for withdrawal. Benzodiazepine patients may also be at risk for seizures. Although there is a hospital within a 5 minute drive, the Temple is not a medical facility.
In addition to herbal medicines and sweating, visitors may also partake in Thai massage, meditation and general work around the temple.
After Detox
After the 10 days of detox, visitors may choose to stay an additional 18 days in the monastery. Those days will be spent in meditation, in work and in education. The course is designed to strengthen the resolve to keep the Satja.
The monks do not boast of success rates (although outside accounts suggest a fairly high rate of success) but they do say that any person that lives in accord and with integrity according to their satja, will never again use drugs or alcohol.
Is it for you?
Learn more about the Thamkrabok Monastery by visiting their website or by giving them a call at 66 36 266 067 or by email at thamkrabok@hotmail.com
