Addiction treatment in Portugal is becoming a popular and appealing option for British citizens looking to overcome issues with substance misuse. The UK has the highest rates of drug misuse and addiction in Europe, but it struggles to keep up with the demand for effective and timely treatment. Individuals seeking treatment from the NHS are generally subject to a long process of referrals and waiting lists. It’s estimated that you’re likely to wait 8 weeks to see a mental health counselor who might not have experience treating addiction. The road to inpatient addiction treatment is even longer: if cheaper, less intensive options don’t work for you, you’re likely to wait 6 months to a year before entering a “budget rehab” center that attempts to cheaply treat large numbers of clients. Doesn’t sound ideal, does it? Addiction is a life-threatening issue, and treatment will be far more effective at a time when the addict is open to change. Waiting months to enter a sub-par treatment facility can be a potentially fatal mistake.
If you want to get treatment when you’re ready for it, there are private options available in the UK. But with 28-day program fees reaching as high as 60,000 pounds per month, the costs can quickly become prohibitive, especially if you’re looking for a comfortable, relaxing, and luxurious environment. This is why many people seeking treatment are beginning to look to treatment in Portugal, where waiting times are reduced to nothing, and a luxurious experience can be had without financially crippling fees.
Why Are British Addicts Looking for Treatment in Portugal for Answers?
Portugal was in the midst of an epidemic of heroin addiction when they 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 Canada, 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.
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. Traveling abroad can bring a profound sense of relief and relaxation. Portugal is 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. British visitors are especially appreciative of the warm, dry climate, and the delicious regional fare. All 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 choose to do addiction treatment in 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. Short-sighted UK drug policies
The UK’s “Psychoactive Substances Act”, passed in 2016, was an attempt to deal with legitimate problems, such as the emergence of spice, bath salts, and other harmful substances which were being outlawed on an ad hoc basis after they had emerged as serious health risks. Unfortunately, the legislation had a couple of adverse side effects: pushing the new synthetic drug market underground thereby creating an opportunity for organized crime, and scheduling promising substances such as ibogaine, kambo, ayahuasca, and psilocybin as illegal narcotics. Prohibition has failed as a remedy for the harm psychoactive substances bring to individuals and societies. It has also blinded us to the benefits that many naturally occurring substances are capable of providing. Portugal is currently far more enlightened in its approach to psychoactive substances and addiction than the UK, another reason why treatment in Portugal is becoming ever more popular.
4. Proximity
The benefits of leveraging family support in the treatment process have been proven. For patients from the UK, treatment in Portugal can offer all the benefits of treatment abroad, along with easy access to family and friends whose support can make all the difference. With flight routes serviced by multiple budget carriers, your loved ones can be by your side in a matter of hours, for as little as 20 pounds. Treatment in Portugal offers the best of both worlds: a sunny and exotic environment that offers all the comforts of home!
5. 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 the UK can be accessed here with the supervision of healthcare professionals. Despite our belief in ibogaine’s remarkable ability to interrupt addiction, we would strongly advocate against using it in regions where draconian laws force its use underground.
6. Value
The UK has many incredible treatment facilities staffed by dedicated and experienced professionals. But with high-end options costing up to £15,000 a week, many of the best treatment centers there are prohibitively expensive. Going abroad can offer you a luxurious and comfortable experience without the financially crippling consequences that can result from treatment at home.
7. 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 six months for the in-patient treatment you need can be a heart-breaking, motivation-sapping roadblock. Centers offering addiction treatment in Portugal 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 the United Kingdom. Our staff is fluent in English, and our program director is a British citizen with International experience. Members of our staff have trained in the UK, and our screening process and safety procedures are a point of pride for us. You’d be hard-pressed to find a treatment center more committed to the safety of its 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 British citizens 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