Hello! If you have been struggling with any mental health, problematic substance or alcohol use recently, you are not alone.
If you are looking for a rehabilitation centre in Bali and trying to find the best one for your circumstances, I hope this info can help.
I live here in Bali and have been to several rehab and retreat centres, both here and in Thailand. For a few years now, I am living a much better life, after recovering from problematic substance use, and behaviour issues. As an active member of one of the fellowship groups here, for my own continued recovery, and to help others, I have researched most of the centres on offer, and just want to share some basic information, and personal opinion, based on my experience. One of my areas of interest is in the latest methods to help people experiencing mental health, drug addiction, or alcoholism problems.
General Information
There are a few main considerations, depending on your personal circumstances, of course, budget, the level of service and facilities, and preference for the type of treatments, and methodology used, plus the location.
Then it really comes down to a few main fundamentals, around standards and ethics, an experienced professional team, and support staff, and basically the integrity of the centre.
Groups or private
I have been to both larger group, lockdown type facilities, and more private one on one, luxury centres. Small group interaction, with others recovering with similar problems, has been proven to be one of the best methods for recovery. The benefits of talking to people about common problems, and supporting each other works, and is very therapeutic. One on one programs, with primarily a support worker 24/7, I found to be isolating. Privacy can amount to shame, secretly hiding the issues, and is not conducive to long term recovery. The bubble often bursts when you have to return home and back to normal daily life with others.
Some places mix all sorts of issues, including mental health, acute substance use, behavioural problems, and detox, often carried out by a local nurse or a support worker. I have experienced, seen, and heard, some very risky, unprofessional practices, for what in many cases, should certainly be handled by medical professionals. Larger mixed groups, especially in lockdown, with standard one program, fits all situations, can sometimes create conflict. Depending on your situation, and preference, you should definitely consider what’s best for you, and understand how the centre operates.
Affordability and Integrity
For many families, and individuals, budget is of course a big consideration. Rehab can be very expensive. It’s turned into a large commercial industry these days, so, unfortunately, greed and money corrupt many people and businesses. There is a lot of smoke and mirrors, even plain deception on many centres’ websites. Owners will often do anything to get clients. Claims to be able to treat anyone for a wide range of problems, pressure to pay deposits. Pictures of villas, rooms, and facilities that actually don’t belong to the centre.
Another common deception online is the professional staff and support workers shown. Many places have pictures and bios of professional staff, who are not actually there. Often they tend to use cheaper options, including recently recovered clients, working illegally, or local support staff, on minimal wages.
Some charge ridiculous money, between 20 and 50 thousand USD dollars, for apparently luxury, private, tailor-made programs. Some even claim to be charitable, soliciting money from anyone, including vulnerable clients. It’s very difficult to determine the basic honesty, and integrity of different places, with very slick deceptive websites, and manufactured testimonials. Do as much research, and ask questions. If the answers all sound a bit too good to be true, maybe they are. Again, you need to be careful. It’s a big investment in your or your loved ones’ lives.
Standards, ethics and professionalism
Most centres offer similar types of treatment methods, both clinical and holistic, but it’s the quality and professionalism that sets them apart. Again, inquire which clinical and holistic therapists will actually be there and treat you.
How many sessions per week, and different treatment options do they really offer?
Is the centre accredited by an independent professional body?
Location and Aftercare
The location and surroundings can be important for enhancing your recovery. Aftercare is critical. Make sure they really do care and develop individual programs and offer ongoing service support, without adding large amounts of extras to the final account.
The facilities and centre itself, plus the basics like food and activities on offer are also important basics to ask about. Anyone can rent a villa with a local minder, and access local services and free 12 step meetings.
Online Deception
When you search online for rehab in Bali, there are around 12 or 13 centres. 3 or 4 are actually transient, illegal operators, using villas casually. There are also 3 or 4 agent listings, best-of lists. These are paid ads or commission-based. There’s also several recovery people, or sober house services, and a directory, that promotes its own holistic recovery program. These are more support, or companion services, putting together packages and charging considerable fees, or commissions, for basically facilitating villa accommodation, local services, and free community meetings.
There are only 3 or 4 centres I would consider recommending to friends or anyone seeking a high-quality rehabilitation centre here. These centres do have standards and ethics, and are run by people of integrity, and not just commercially motivated. They are all a bit different in their approach, service and facilities, but do provide honest good service, genuinely care about client safety and wellbeing, and offer an affordable realistic price.
- CALM – located in Kerobokan.
- Kolonial House – located in Sanur.
- Kembali – located in Ubud.
- Bali Beginnings – located in Sanur.
If you’ve been reading this article, please do reach out to someone for advice and help. If you’re honest about your problem and seek some help, you can transform your life, and recover. Going to rehab, or maybe a health retreat can be a great way to start. Bali is an amazing location for healing and recovery.
I hope this information may help if you’re thinking of doing rehab in Bali or considering a centre anywhere.
All the best,
Chris
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