Article: Drug addicts vomit out their ills in Thai monastery

[~lostgurl~]

Drug addicts vomit out their ills in Thai monastery

25 May 2007
Stuff News

Thai monastery.jpg
PASS THE BUCKET: Drug addicts induce vomiting to detoxify their bodies at the Tham Krabok monastery in Thailand's Saraburi province. The obscure Buddhist monastery, which advocates a secret herbal potion and ritual vomiting, has become the final source of hope for thousands of Thais and Westerners drug addicts.

THAM KRABOK: An obscure Buddhist monastery in central Thailand that advocates a secret herbal potion and ritual vomiting for drug addicts has become a final source of hope for thousands of Thais and Westerners.

Since its foundation in 1959, Wat Tham Krabok, 140km north of Bangkok, has put nearly 100,000 addicts through its "cold turkey" detox program and given them a grounding in meditation to help them keep on the straight and narrow. The treatment – a far cry from the picture postcard beaches, jungle trekking and wild nightlife that draw millions of visitors to Thailand each year – is not for the faint-hearted.

Dressed in red hospital-style overalls, patients have to stay for a minimum of 10 days, during which they are subject to a strict regimen of leaf-sweeping, steam baths, herbal medication and group vomiting. "Invariably, the people who end up here come as a last resort," said Phra Hans, a Swiss psychologist who became a Buddhist monk – with the title "Phra" – after visiting Tham Krabok seven years ago. "Everybody who comes here must come as a warrior, ready to fight for their life."

MAGIC POTION

Sitting in the shadow of an imposing limestone crag, the monastery was founded in the late 1950s by a group of monks who decided to renounce all earthly pleasures and live out the rest of their days in a cave. However, the military rulers of the day, keen to rid the capital of its opium dens, encouraged them to accept a large plot of land in return for taking care of the drug addicts the army was booting out of Bangkok.

Using a complex herbal medicine whose ingredients were revealed to the aunt of one of the monks in a dream, the monastery started treating its first opium addicts in 1959. To this day, the 100-odd ingredients of the thick, dark potion that lies at the centre of the detox program remain a secret known only to Tham Krabok's abbot and medicine monk. "I've no idea what's in it. There must be some sort of active ingredient, but the only thing I know for sure is it's disgusting," said Patrick, a British health worker who has spent three months at the wat overcoming alcohol and cocaine addiction.

According to Phra Hans, the potion draws toxins out of the patient's body and into the stomach. The quickest way to get the toxins out of the stomach is for the patient to drink large quantities of water and then vomit. In what is now a well-choreographed ceremony, patients sit cross legged and side-by-side in front of a long open drain. Accompanied by drums and chanting they then try to drink a bucket of water before sticking their fingers down their throats.

SACRED VOWS

Along with the myths surrounding its foundation and herbal cocktail are varying accounts of the long-term success rates of the treatment. However, Prah Hans said reports of relapse rates as lows as 30 per cent – levels unheard of in Western drug addiction therapy – are unverifiable. "We really can't say. Full recovery takes five years or more, and we just don't have the resources to keep track of patients. We can't follow them," he said. "Cleaning out the body is only five per cent; the other 95 per cent is in the mind."

Regardless of their religious or ethnic backgrounds – 80 per cent of patients are Thai Buddhists, the rest foreigners of all denominations from across the globe – are given a Buddhist "sacca," or vow, in which they swear never to touch drugs or alcohol again.

For some former addicts, the six-word Thai phrase does work in warding off temptation. "Every time I get that little voice in my head and think I'm getting into trouble, I just close my eyes and say the words in Thai, and I'm okay," said Adam, a Londoner who turned to Tham Krabok after 17 years of trying and failing to beat heroin and crack addiction in Western rehab clinics. "My mind used to race at 1,000 mph and I couldn't slow down. I couldn't work, couldn't read books. But then I tried the meditation and felt really calm," he said. "It's very different to Western rehab."

The wat has its detractors, not least British rock star and celebrity junkie Pete Doherty, whose departure after only three days led to tabloid newspapers depicting the wat as a prison camp in which patients were beaten with bamboo poles. Phra Hans denied any such claims. "Pete Doherty ran away because he wasn't ready. It was a dreadful episode. We can't lock people away or hold them against their will because that is a violation of human rights," he said. "We only want people who are ready and who are serious about getting clean."

http://www.stuff.co.nz/4071351a7144.html

[Alfa]

Here are their rules and conditions:

Rules & Conditions For Treatment

COURSE OF DETOXIFICATION at the
THAMKRABOK MONASTERY

For those of you in countries other than Thailand intending to seek assistance, and if you are ready to make and maintain your commitment then please read the message below.
Once understood, and if you are prepared to accept these Terms and Conditions you are invited to make contact with East-West Detox.
Who will advise you, and prepare the path for you.

****************
Should you reside in Thailand please contact the Monastery Direct.
Tel: 036 266 067
(During Office Hours)
****************

ARRIVAL

Upon arrival at the Monastery you will be required to undergo the admission formalities. This includes signing papers which state that you understand the rules and conditions which apply throughout your stay. That you commit yourself to faithfully and fully comply with those rules and conditions.


THE RULES AND CONDITIONS

1. All must take a VOW never to use addictive substances for the remainder of their life, and must complete all admission formalities.
2. The duration of the course of detoxification is seven days, and until this is completed you will not be permitted to exit the course.
3. During the first five days:
   1. All must take the liquid herbal medicine once a day.
      This will expel the toxins from the body.
   2. All must, and as directed, take two herbal tablets daily.
      These will also assist in expelling the toxins from the body.
   3. All must take an herbal medicine/tonic and steambath daily.
      This combination will further cleanse and refresh the body.
4. The final two days of the course are for resting and recuperation, and will be spent in the treatment Centre. The daily steambath procedure will still be a requirement
5. Throughout the entire course all patients will be restricted to the Treatment Centre
6. Upon application, and providing the conduct of the applicant has not been a cause for concern, an extended stay at the Monastery may be granted. Those wishing to stay beyond the course period of seven days will be required to reside within the Treatment Centre. However
   1. During the first fifteen days at the Monastery they may exit the Treatment Centre, for the sole purpose of working under the supervision of the Monks.
   2. From the sixteenth day and for the duration of their stay they may visit all parts of the Monastery under the supervision of the authorities.
7. All are responsible for their personal hygiene and cleanliness, and must accept full responsibility for the cleanliness and tidiness of their sleeping quarters and ablutions.
8. The Monks and Nuns who supervise and care for you are committed to their chosen task.
   They devote their skills and time for the wellbeing and eventual freedom of addiction of all that enter the Treatment Centre. They also have their Buddhist Monastic duties and responsibilities.
   Their commitments, and their station in life, are to be respected.
9. Whilst at the Monastery you may meet folk from other parts of the world seeking the same result as yourself. Whatever their race, sex, colour or religion - you are required to respect them as we expect them to respect you.
10. Insurance. Whilst it is not a requirement, all international patients are encouraged to arrange insurance against sickness, accident and transit prior to departing from their normal place of residence.
11. During your time on the course, apart from matters of extreme urgency, you will not be permitted to make telephone or facsimile contact with anyone.
12. When the time arrives for you to depart and return to your home you will have a farewell session with (at least) one of the Senior Monks.

CONCEPTS OF THE DETOXIFICATION AND REHABILITATION METHODS EMPLOYED AT THE THAMKRABOK MONASTERY

1. We use The Vow to give the patients confidence and power to be freed from their respective addictions.
2. We use work for the purpose of rehabilitation of the mind and the body. In Buddhism we believe that working within a Monastery or Temple will earn merit.
3. Food and personal requirements are all available within the Monastery, and patients are required to make their own purchases.
4. No charges whatsoever are sought for the services provided by the Monks and Nuns. To cover the costs of the Monastery, which are many and varied, we rely solely on donations.
5. Voluntary Donations will be gratefully received and faithfully applied.
6. The Abbot, his Monks and Nuns truly believe that patients without means can be assisted relying solely on donations.

OCCUPATIONAL ACTIVITIES IN WHICH THE PATIENTS MAY PARTICIPATE DURING THEIR STAY

1. Daily Meditation.
2. Daily teaching sessions.
3. Attending the Evening Chanting.
4. Offering active support and assistance to new arrivals.
5. Working within the Monastery under supervision of the Monks and Nuns. This will assist you in regaining your physical strength and confidence, and of course gaining Merit.
6. Regular exercise.
7. Literature. If you are a reader you may bring along as many books as you wish.
8. Table Tennis. Maybe we can see how good you are!
9. Television and Video. These are also available, and should you care to you may bring along some movies of your own.

WHEN YOU ARRIVE HOME
THIS IS WHEN YOUR WORK TRULY BEGINS

When you leave home and make your way to the Thamkrabok Monastery, you are an addict. As you return home to all that is so familiar, you will very quickly come to appreciate that you have changed physically. The addiction, the physical craving and the need for a hit are not there. But nothing else has changed. All that you turn your back on as you head for the Monastery will be there when you return.

Your family, your addicted and non-addicted friends, your workmates, yes and even your supplier will be there. The supplier will do his level best to get you started again on your former addiction. Even a couple of freebees to start with, or, "No problem, pay me later." There is no way he wants to lose your business. Will you be strong enough to face him and say, "No thanks, that's all behind me now."?

Those who love and support you will be watching your every move. "Going out? Where are you going? Can I come along with you?" Will you be able to handle it? It will be very difficult for you, and for those who love and support you. Maintain your commitment, and as the days unfold you will regain your full strength and resolve, and your self respect and dignity.

But only if you truly want it.

[enquirewithin]

I am sure that this could work for some people.