Spain’s drug problems have come in waves, and epidemics of heroin use, a flood of cocaine from South America, and the constant importation of hashish from nearby Morocco ensure that the country always has a steady supply of drugs. As the opioid crisis rages on, increasing numbers of Spaniards have been experimenting with and becoming addicted to, the same opioid-based pain pills that have devastated communities across the United States. Spain’s death rates from opioid-related overdoses have increased significantly over the past decade, and many experts fear that the problem is growing exponentially worse.
Spain’s rate of cocaine use overtook the USA a decade ago and remains very high, with an estimated 3% of adults in the country using the substance. In spite of the government’s record-breaking number of seizures, the country’s rugged 3000 km long coast makes it Europe’s gateway for smuggled cocaine from South America. Mexican cartels have long used Spain as the first stop on the journey of their products across Europe.
A recent Guardian article also highlighted the problems caused by “narcotises,” apartments left vacant following the nation’s property crash, which have been overrun with drug dealers and users. In neighborhoods like Barcelona’s El Raval district, residents have seen their lives and communities turned upside down by rampant drug use and the problems it brings. According to the newspaper, “dealers use apps to help customers find the flats where drugs are available. They also tie colored cloths to balconies to signal availability: white for heroin available, blue meaning they are under police surveillance, and red for out of stock.”
The economic crisis has exacerbated Spain’s drug problem while draining the funding needed for measures to combat addiction. According to the head of a Madrid resident’s association, “You have to ask yourself what’s happened to all the preventative resources that existed in Madrid? They basically had the plug pulled during the economic crisis.” 39% of those entering treatment in Spain are primarily cocaine users, while 24% of those seeking to battle their addictions are habitual heroin users. And while the various levels of government support treatment centers, thanks to the economic crisis, funding has remained flat, raising wait times and leaving existing in-patient centers overflowing with clients. If you’re a drug addict in Spain looking for solutions and a sense of hope, turning your gaze abroad may seem like the wisest approach.
Why are Spanish Addicts Looking To Portugal For Answers?
Portugal was in the midst of an epidemic of heroin addiction (much like Spain’s heroin problem in the 1980s) when it made the dramatic decision to embrace the principles of harm reduction and decriminalize the consumption of all drugs. As one of the architects behind Portugal’s new approach explains it: “We realized we were squandering resources. It made much more sense for us to treat drug addicts as patients who needed help, not as criminals.” By removing the threats of prosecution and incarceration, Portugal has reduced the stigma surrounding addiction, and the number of addicts receiving treatment has increased by 60% since 1998. The results the country has achieved simply by treating addicts with dignity and viewing addiction as a health issue has caused countries such as France, Switzerland, and Germany to embrace harm-reduction. Portugal’s clear-headed, compassionate approach to treating addiction makes it an ideal destination for those attempting to overcome substance abuse problems.
Spain has embraced some of the principles of harm reduction, particularly removing the threat of jail for drug possession. However, the country still depends heavily on opioid replacement therapy, primarily using methadone, as a way to treat opioid addiction. While methadone can stabilize the lifestyles of addicts and prevent HIV, it leaves those seeking treatment dependent on a narcotic substance and does little to address the issues underlying addiction. If you’re looking to truly defeat your addiction, methadone likely isn’t the best option.
Spain offers some publicly funded drug treatment options to addicts looking to reclaim their lives, and there are also privately run residential treatment facilities. These centers have the benefit of being close to home, but for Spaniards without substantial bank accounts, the cost of effective treatment in a comfortable setting can be staggering. Luxury private facilities have rates rising as high as 50,000 Euros per month! And if you’re looking for a publicly funded facility, you need to be prepared for wait times spanning weeks, or even months, before being placed in an overcrowded and under-funded treatment facility. The shortage of treatment beds and affordable facilities has pushed many addicts to the brink of despair.
In theory, seeking treatment in these centers will not put you at risk of stigma for being an addict in a society which views drug use very harshly. But if you’re living in a small community, word might still spread. If you’re looking to be treated with dignity and respect, experience compassionate care, and maintain your privacy, going abroad might be your best option. Drug addiction is still viewed harshly in many Spanish communities, with studies finding that addiction carries more stigma than mental illness. In many small towns, the addicted are still seen as criminals who have succumbed to a “moral failing” rather than sick people in need of medical treatment. If you’d prefer to be treated as a person, rather than a junkie, as you begin your recovery journey, you might want to consider seeking treatment in Portugal!
What Are The Benefits Of Treatment Abroad?
1) Environment
Leaving an environment full of familiar stressors and temptations can have a beneficial effect on treatment, and Portugal is a great place to recover from the traumas related to addiction. It’s a picturesque country with a lovely Mediterranean climate. It’s dotted with quaint villages, ancient ruins, majestic castles, and miles of beautiful coastline. And there are few regions better suited to recovering your health than Portugal’s sun-drenched Alentejo region. A land of rolling hills and vast plains, the Alentejo offers visitors the opportunity to recover their health and connections to the natural world by riding horses, watching birds, stargazing, hiking, and cycling. Many Spanish visitors are especially appreciative of the temperate climate, peaceful lifestyle, and delicious regional fare, all while feeling at home with a climate, culture, and society that is familiar enough to feel welcome. All this, while enjoying a rehab facility that rivals a luxurious resort or hotel for a fraction of the cost of treatment back home. You’ll disconnect from a toxic environment and share amazing new experiences with people from all around the world!
2) Privacy
While increasing numbers of people are coming to the understanding that addiction is a medical issue, there is still a significant social and professional stigma that comes with seeking treatment for substance abuse. If you head to Portugal, it’s easy to tell friends, family members, and colleagues that you’re off on a much-needed vacation and avoid awkward conversations and prying questions. There’s also no risk that someone will spot you emerging from a clinic or support group meeting and start whispering.
3) Promising Treatments Unavailable At Home
We’ve written a lot about the undeniable power of ayahuasca and ibogaine to combat the addictive properties of opioids and other drugs and to open the addicted mind to the idea of a positive transformation into sobriety. Because Portugal has decriminalized all drugs, promising treatments that cannot be obtained in a safe medical setting in Spain (due to their somewhat murky legal status) can be accessed here with the supervision of healthcare professionals.
4) Easy Intake
When you’ve reached rock bottom, a treatment center that can quickly start the process of detox and recovery can be a lifesaver. The prospect of waiting months for the in-patient treatment you need can be a heart-breaking, motivation-sapping roadblock. Spain’s public drug treatment programs are underfunded, one of the main reasons why the majority of Spanish addicts are pushed into less intensive outpatient treatment programs and methadone maintenance. Treatment centers abroad can immediately start the intake process, allowing you to strike back at your addiction when you’re feeling hopeful and motivated. This can make all the difference in the world!
Tabula Rasa Retreat
At Tabula Rasa Retreat we have a unique ability to accommodate clients from around the world with our welcoming, open-minded, and international staff.. You’d be hard-pressed to find a treatment center more committed to the safety of their clients than Tabula Rasa Retreat. We’re also deeply committed to maintaining a supportive and non-judgmental environment for facilitating recovery and personal growth.
In addition to offering ibogaine treatment, we also provide a wide array of holistic treatments, including breathwork, kundalini yoga, equine-assisted therapy, kambo, and more. All of these practices are extremely beneficial for re-energizing both body and spirit to pursue recovery. In combination with our ten hectares of outdoor space, large terraces, and outdoor swimming pool, we let nature remind our clients to be grateful and receptive to new horizons and second chances. We have many testimonials from people around the globe who’ve benefited immeasurably from experiencing our treatments in beautiful, sunny Portugal. If you’d like to experience treatment abroad, don’t hesitate to get in touch!
For further information visit www.tabularasaretreat.com or call PT +351 965 751 649 UK +44 7961 355 530