Addiction Detox in Thailand
Supervised substance abuse withdrawal
- Some treatment centres in Thailand offer detox services for early stage withdrawal from alcohol and drugs.
- The type and duration of a detox depends on the substance that you are removing from your body.
- A detox for addiction should be supervised by qualified medical professionals.
- Detox may be provided at an onsite facility or a partner international hospital.
Addiction detox vs. ‘detox holidays’
There can be confusion about what is meant by the term ‘detox’. Health tourists often travel to Thailand and visit one of the many detox retreats where you can clear your body of toxins. This can be in the form of detox holiday packages, liver cleanses and general well-being holiday packages.
A detox from addiction is not the same.
Withdrawing from substances like alcohol and heroin can be very serious. Detox for addictions should be supervised by medical professionals with experience and pharmacological support if needed.
Alcohol detox and withdrawal
Alcohol is a depressant and excessive use of alcohol requires detoxification.
Years of abusing alcohol mean your body eventually stops producing certain chemicals and needs time to adjust once you quit drinking. It can take some time for the body to adjust and withdrawal symptoms can include:
- fever
- nausea
- headaches
- irregular heartbeat
- hallucinations
Some people experience mild withdrawal symptoms while others feel intense pain and discomfort.
The effects of alcohol detoxification can change quickly so you might feel good before suddenly feeling unwell. This is why medical professionals should be involved during the detox process to help manage your pain and safely overcome the detox stage of recovery.
Illicit and prescription drug detox
A drug detox involves managing the initial cravings and anxiety caused when ceasing use of a substance.
Withdrawal symptoms can be mental or physical – with varying degrees of severity. It really depends on the drug and the individual concerned.
Drugs like cocaine and marijuana cause mostly psychological effects while certain substances like benzodiazepines can cause physical symptoms like seizures or even death in extreme cases. Opioids (especially heroin) are considered to be the most uncomfortable to detox from.
“A detox is serious and should only be carried out by suitably qualified personnel. Don’t be in a position where the right support isn’t available at a rehab centre” – Jerome Faure (recovered addict)
A drug detox may include medications to ease symptoms and mimic the effects of drugs and ease withdrawal symptoms. Medication might also be used to assist specific co-occurring disorders.
Professional detoxification from alcohol and drugs
Detox in Thailand at a residential rehab clinic is needed for the safe withdrawal from alcohol and some drugs. A detox from substances will often be assisted by medication supplied by a doctor to help ease the mental and physical symptoms.
Professional medical staff should be onsite to provide support during the detoxification stage of recovery. Some Thai rehab clinics have the facilities to do this onsite while other may be supported by local private hospitals.
You should really have a good understanding of how a rehab can help you during detox and withdrawal from substances. It might be tempting to choose a treatment centre because of the price or an aspect of the program that excites you. Take your time to consider the ‘whole picture’.

Ask yourself these questions:
- Can a detox be professionally done?
- Are there trained nursing staff available?
- What happens if there is an emergency medical situation?
It’s worth noting that some people will complete the detox stage of treatment before starting the inpatient treatment programme. If you live in Australia, UK or the United States then it might be a good idea to detox before travelling to Thailand for rehabilitation. It really depends on the local services in your area!
A safe space for medicated detoxification
The top priority of a rehab clinic should always be to ensure the safety of guests at all times. This is most important during detox and withdrawal. Detox can be dangerous when not performed in a professional settings. That’s why it’s not recommended to ‘self-detox’ at home.
A good rehab centre will have your best interests at heart and the medical support needed for a safe withdrawal.
Can I detox without doing inpatient treatment?
Addiction rehabs in Thailand do not usually offer a ‘detox only’ service. A detox on it’s own is not likely to lead to long-term sobriety – it will be part of a wider holistic programme that will treat the ‘whole-self’.
NOTE: Some people misunderstand the meaning of detox. There are companies that offer detox retreats in Thailand (and they may list addiction as part of their detox plan). Thai Rehab Helper does not recommend attending these programmes without having being assessed by a MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL.
Contact Thai Rehab Helper
Jimi Jones and the team at Thai Rehab Helper are ready to support you on your recovery journey. You can contact us anytime for 100% confidential advice on detox services and treatment in Thailand.