Thai monks give Irish addicts €2-a-day detox

[chillinwill]

From: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/new...cle4837971.ece

THE clinic has what might be the most radical drugs detox treatment centre in the world. Reforming addicts pay just €2 a day, and are encouraged to swallow vile potions by Buddhist monks and engage in ritual vomiting to the beat of rhythmic drumming.

Tham Krabok, a Buddhist monastery in Thailand, is attracting a growing number of Irish drug users and alcoholics who want to beat their addictions. The monastery, which began treating drug addicts in 1959 as part of Thailand’s fight against opium addiction, admits scores of Irish people every year.

Several are brought out by Gary Devine, a former drug addict from south Dublin. “The number is growing all the time because there are not enough detox facilities on offer here,” he said. “Tham Krabok admits everyone. That’s why people with no money are boarding planes and flying 6,000 miles to the southeast Asia to get help.”

Devine himself underwent treatment for drug addiction at the monastic settlement in 2005. “The treatment offered at Tham Krabok is radical but it works. The monks do not believe heroin addicts should be weaned on to methadone or other drugs. They believe in cleansing the body as fast as possible and showing addicts that they can have a future,” he said.

The monastery opens its gates to every kind of substance abuser including those addicted to alcohol, cocaine and cannabis. On arrival, patients surrender their possessions and are given pink cotton pyjamas to wear for the duration of their stay. The treatment programme begins at dawn the next morning when patients are given a small vial of dense black liquid to drink. This “magic potion” is made from 109 herbs and barks gathered in the jungle and is said to taste disgusting. Once it is swallowed, the patient is forced to drink several litres of water and projectile vomit while the monks chant and beat drums.

Addicts repeat this routine at dawn for five days and then do a week’s work, relaxation and contemplation under statues of Buddha. Patients are also asked to take a satya, or spiritual vow, that the monks credit with the centre’s 65% success rate.

Tham Krabok, which means Temple of the Bamboo Cave, is 90 miles north of Bangkok, in Saraburi province, central Thailand. About 40% of the monks are former addicts who detoxed at the encampment, and their ranks are said to contain reformed criminals and former Vietnam war veterans.

So far, they have treated up to 100,000 addicts. Among them were Pete Doherty, the singer and former boyfriend of Kate Moss, and Christy Dignam of Aslan, the Dublin rock group.

Audrey Delaney, a mother of two from Virginia in Co Cavan, travelled to the detox centre in August in search of a cure for her addiction to prescription drugs. She says she underwent the full privations of drug withdrawal, including vomiting and sweating.

“Before I left Ireland I couldn’t sleep without taking tablets. I knew I couldn’t live like this forever so I saved up and went to Thailand,” said Delaney. “I came back a new woman. I cleansed my body. I also learned to sleep soundly every night. The monks and nuns taught me to meditate and reflect on the way I was living my life. It worked for me.”

Residential treatment at the monastery costs much less than similar care in Ireland. A five-week stay at a private detox clinic in Dublin costs about €10,000. At Tham Krabok there is just a daily fee of €2 to cover food and costs.

Ciara Moen, a project manager with Cross Care, a charitable organisation which helps homeless people and drug users in Dublin, says it makes practical and financial sense for Irish charities to send “clients” to Thailand for detox treatment.

There are an estimated 14,500 heroin addicts in the Dublin area, with 8,000 on methadone maintenance programmes. Securing admission to residential treatment centres is almost impossible with only 31 hospital beds on offer.

Reputation Comments on this post:

	interesting find
	good article! Swim wishes he detoxed there

[Heretic.Ape.]

Interesting. I wonder what the potion contains. 65%... Does anybody know the average success rate of standard treatment centers?

[Spare Chaynge]

success rate is hard to do in % at treatment centers.. What is success. Staying away from ones drug of choice for 1 , 5, 10 years maybe the rest of ones life.. or is it learning how to function and use drugs responsible...

Maybe it is a general improvement in ones life???? who knows...swiy has to look at what the treatment centers base there % on.

When treatment centers give % of success it is usually bullshit. A lot of treatment centers will say if you want it and you are willing to do everything required they have a 100% success rate... So when someone fails they say oh yah you didnt read the fine print right here on page 74 you were suppose to do this and that... Reference to the big book and aa.. Most rehabs are 12 step based...

And in 12 step programs if you relapse you did something wrong because humans are like computers.. install AA and virus will be defeated.. cough cough.

Swim thinks that out of all the people he went to rehab with maybe 3 out of 200 stayed clean and sober for a year. And this was a fancy good rep rehab... Also a lot of people come into rehabs with a marijuana and alcohol problem.. and they are taught a drug is a drug(12 step philosophy)... So when they leave they go and get addicted to heroin.

Swim doubts this Buddhist place is 12 step oriented.. sounds good.

[Sitbcknchill]

Man oh man, don't really know what to say about this one.....

But I'm not sure I would pay for that kind of service even as cheap as it already is.

If I wanted to do that I would just go by a bottle of ipecac and a drum and bass cd.

I don't really think projectile vomiting would really be necessary though.

But whatever floats your boat I guess. If it works for some I guess that is good enough.

Reputation Comments on this post:

agreed

[Spare Chaynge]

lol.. how many junkies does swiy think asked there parents for money for treatment and a plane ticket only to arrive and spend the next 5 years in the golden triangle shooting heroin....

swim will have to try this plan next time he gets hooked on the ole fentanyl. jk

[Heretic.Ape.]

I'm interested in the meditation aspect. I wonder how a treatment method focusing on learning meditation techniques alone would compare with meditation + puking daily.

Reputation Comments on this post:

good question

[ThirdEyeFloond]

Originally Posted by Heretic.Ape.

I'm interested in the meditation aspect. I wonder how a treatment method focusing on learning meditation techniques alone would compare with meditation + puking daily.

I think there's two aspects of recovery, the initial detox aswell as preperation for re-entry back into society. Meditation could indeed improve the latter, giving people a more positive outlook on life and themselves making it easier to avoid falling back into selfdestructive behaviour. But SWIM would personally find it very hard if not impossible to reach deeper meditative states when experiencing severe withdrawals at the same time. So he thinks cleansing the body would be a necessity first, and if eating foultasting herbs and rhythmically puking to a drum beat speeds up that process then so be it.

[Figaro]

Originally Posted by Heretic.Ape.

Interesting. I wonder what the potion contains. 65%... Does anybody know the average success rate of standard treatment centers?

The studies or analysis that I have read goes like this.


Those who quite on their own they disappearing from town etc is 20
%

12 STep programs of AA and NA claim 3% at best 10%


Rational and Smart Recovery another 3% to 10%

There is methadon and suboxen that consider their treatment to be medication for a medical disease so they are managiing their disiease.
They claim all kinds of good results not necesarily based on abstenence.
But they have done some excellent works between doctors and patients. Unfurtunatly their still some kliniks that are in for the money and they make policies and regulations that hurt rather than help people. If you go to one of themethadone advocacy message board you will see some great result from new born again methadone patients.

[Benga]

on a purely physiological level, isn't going cold-turkey considered quite dangerous in quite a few cases of heavy addiction ?
wondering if there's any medical supervision available or if it's all experience and spiritual based

b

[Nature Boy]

Why is this being reported in The Times of London and not in any Irish national papers? Seems like some kind of bizarre fad. A sanctuary for those hellbent cannabis addicts. Oh my!

[Bajeda]

Another article on Tham Krabok can be found here.


Alfa posted the Rules and Conditions in the other thread, but I'll quote them here for convenience.

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.

As for discussion of success / recovery rates as well as the importance of the meditative aspect of the process:

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."

Reputation Comments on this post:

awesome

[Lunar Loops]

Originally Posted by Nature Boy

Why is this being reported in The Times of London and not in any Irish national papers? Seems like some kind of bizarre fad. A sanctuary for those hellbent cannabis addicts. Oh my!

Well it did appear in The Irish Sunday Times (admittedly still the London paper with a slighly Irish-centric lean).

SWILL would also be intrigued as to what was in the potion. Is it purely a purgative or does it have other properties?

[infekt]

Hmm..sounds kind of like the ayahuasca rehab programs they have down in Brazil. Except that instead of ayahuasca, you get something else that would make you purge, and the insights would come from meditation and buddhist teachings and practices..

[Coconut]

Sounds like a fairly noble cause but I don't see the point in deliberately inducing projectile vomiting. I would consider this unnecessary suffering as anyone who is addicted, especially to opiates, will be enduring painful withdrawal symptoms. Not only that, but cold turkey for addiction to alchohol or benzodiazepines is an unbelievably dangerous idea and I certainly hope nobody dies from delirium tremens as a result of it.

I am also interested in the composition of this potion and the herbal supplements. Do they contain active ingredients, high doses of vitamins or anything that could be scientifically proven to help combat addiction? I think it'd be helpful if the monks divulged such information although I see it as unlikely.