Ketamine misuse is a growing issue in Thailand and elsewhere, primarily affecting young people, and resulting in painful and uncomfortable symptoms that can destroy lives.
Thanks to Thailand’s attractive climate and diverse treatment options, it’s rapidly becoming a popular choice for recovery from ketamine addiction.
Are you battling this addiction, and struggling to decide where is best to recover? Call our helpline on 0800 140 4690 (UK) or +44 345 222 3508 (international) to find out more.
Thailand is blessed with a range of recovery centres, with something to suit everyone. Its many resort-style facilities help patients feel relaxed, comfortable, and valued, giving them the motivation they need to begin their ketamine recovery journey.
Many Thai rehabs place an emphasis on holistic approaches (alongside traditional clinical methods). This may include meditation, music therapy, mindfulness, and exercise therapy. Studies continue to show that combining physical and mental approaches to addiction treatment is extremely effective, and it’s something Thai rehabs do very well.
What’s more, Thailand’s climate makes it a great place to recover from ketamine addiction. The sun, beaches and mountains can be used as part of therapeutic programmes, and provide a sense of calm that helps patients persist through the challenges of recovery.
For those who don’t live in Thailand, getting sober in such a new environment is often an easier task than starting over in a familiar environment. It creates distance from triggers, and often allows a sense of privacy that home countries can’t offer.
Finally, the cost of ketamine rehab in Thailand is often lower than average. Patients can access high-quality care for a low price, making longer stays or more intensive programmes more accessible.
Below, we outline what you can expect at a ketamine rehab facility in Thailand:
A lot of the work that goes into rehab starts before you even arrive.
Staff will look at your current situation and perform a needs assessment to ensure you will get the right kind of care at rehab.
Prepare to be asked lots of questions about your ketamine addiction, such as whether you are a dual diagnosis patient, whether you use any other substances, and how often you are taking ketamine.
Once the rehab facility is aware of how your addiction is affecting you, they can begin to put together a personalised treatment plan for you.
The first step of treatment is the detox. As explained above, ketamine detox can last up to two weeks. However, it may just last a few days. The timeframe is dependent on how the patient responds to treatment, and whether they need any further intervention.
After this, therapy can begin. Different therapeutic techniques are taught, and these will be carried out in different settings, such as in groups, families, and one-to-one. This variety increases the chances of patients staying sober.
The rehab journey ends with aftercare, a one-year plan to prevent ketamine relapse from occurring.
Patients are advised to be as vocal as possible in this period, as they can shape how their aftercare looks. They may benefit from reminders of coping mechanisms, helplines, extended therapy, etc.
The cheapest rehab for a shared room would be £7,000 for 28 days. For a single occupancy, it would be £10,999.
You can pay up to £15,000 for a more high-end 28-day programme. When you contact us, we can give you up-to-date prices over the telephone. Prices frequently change, and the prices we quote here should be regarded as more of a rough guideline.
If you get in touch with Rehab 4 Addiction, we will look into treatment centres that would work for you, and outline the costs transparently.
For now, let’s clarify what’s generally covered in rehab costs:
If you’re planning to travel to Thailand from another country, keep in mind additional travel costs such as flights and travel insurance.
This is something you’d have to budget for separately, unless the rehab centre specifically states they help organise travel.
Yes, ketamine rehab in Thailand is safe and legal. It’s important to find a rehab that is reputable, which Rehab 4 Addiction helps you to do.
Reputable facilities are:
Rehab residents coming from other countries should ensure their travel insurance is sufficient for their entire stay, including any potential emergency room visits. Whilst this is something rehab centres are equipped to handle, without the right insurance, it could incur high costs.
Choosing the right rehab in Thailand isn’t easy, and you may need some help settling on the right one. Get in touch with Rehab 4 Addiction to talk through your options.
For those who would like to start considering immediately, here are some tips.
Anyone can go to Thailand for treatment instead of recovering in their home country. However, in certain cases, this wouldn’t be recommended.
For example, if someone is dealing with severe physical and/or psychological symptoms of ketamine addiction, they may be advised to seek local services in order to avoid a high-risk travel situation.
Individuals with limited support networks may also want to consider staying close to home, as travelling far away for rehab can provoke new negative feelings, which are tricky to navigate alone.
Finally, the purpose of going to Thailand should be strictly related to addiction treatment. If someone is tempted to experience some form of holiday, they must remember that rehab involves intensive treatment, and there is no capacity for patients to do anything else.
Without speaking to a medical professional, it can be difficult to know how severe your dependence or addiction to ketamine is.
The first thing to note is that you can benefit from ketamine rehab regardless of the severity of your addiction. Even people with mild ketamine dependence are at risk of developing a lifelong addiction, so early intervention is always advised.
To get an idea of the severity of your addiction, have a look at the common symptoms we’ve described, and consider how many of these apply to you. As well as counting how many apply, also consider whether you are experiencing symptoms across different areas of life, as this indicates a higher severity.
For example, you may be struggling financially due to ketamine addiction, but also suffering from physical symptoms.
The only way to definitively know how severe your addiction is? A formal assessment. This takes place before you enter rehab in Thailand.
Many people struggle with the results of this assessment. They either feel ashamed for the severity of their addiction, or conversely, feel as though they don’t have enough of a problem to warrant addiction services.
Please remember that this is a common experience for people with addiction, and it is sometimes even a subconscious coping mechanism to prevent you from getting help.
No matter where you are in your journey, you deserve to be free of addiction.
Yes, families can certainly be involved with ketamine rehab. Whilst they cannot stay over at the facility, they can take part in family therapy sessions, and potentially visit their loved one.
It’s always important to check this with rehab centres ahead of registration, as some facilities don’t allow family visits or family therapy.
Family-focused rehabs understand the impact addiction has on the family unit. They work to unite families, helping loved ones understand addiction, and providing them with ways to support the person with addiction.
Below, we answer some of your questions around the katamine recovery process:
Whilst ketamine dependence can be hidden, there are signs that suggest someone may be struggling with their use of ketamine. Some signs are:
As ketamine is not a physically addictive drug, withdrawal symptoms tend to be psychological.
Physical sensations can still occur, but the experience is very different to that of someone detoxing from alcohol or prescription painkillers, which may come with lots of tremors, sweating, and vomiting.
Someone withdrawing from ketamine may get:
In rarer cases, severe side effects include:
Ketamine detox can take place at a residential rehab facility, or outpatient service, to help reduce withdrawal symptoms.
Usually, the process lasts up to two weeks, and medical professionals are on-hand to monitor the patient’s health, treat withdrawal symptoms, and ensure the patient is ready to start the next step of their recovery, which is usually therapy.
Whilst it is possible to withdraw from ketamine at home, it’s much more dangerous, and less effective. When withdrawal symptoms aren’t monitored by a qualified doctor, they can quickly worsen and lead to long-term health problems.
Our confidential consultations will teach you everything you need to know about getting sober from ketamine in Thailand.
We will explore this option with you over the phone, as well as comparing this to local options, giving you the details you need to make an informed decision.
Open to a non-judgemental, zero-commitment call? Reach out to us on 0800 140 4690 (UK) or +44 345 222 3508 (international). We’d love to help!
[1] https://publichealth.jhu.edu/2024/what-to-know-about-ketamine
