There is a portion of the population throughout Australia that suffers from substance use disorders. The 2020 to 2022 National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing estimated that about 3% of respondents had a substance use disorder in the 12 months before the study. This represents about 650,000 people, almost half of whom also met the diagnostic criteria for an affective or anxiety disorder.
As such, many throughout the country seek addiction treatment. But treatment centres in Australia can be quite expensive, so many find themselves seeking alternative drug and alcohol treatment options. One of these treatment options is going to rehab in Thailand, where the cost of treatment is lower. But how much does rehab cost in Thailand, and are there any alternatives to going to a centre in Thailand?
How Much Does Rehab in Thailand Cost?
Drug and alcohol rehab centres in Thailand can vary in their costs. A luxury rehab centre can charge between USS$12,000 to US$15,000 per month. This is roughly AU$20,000 to AU$25,000 depending on the exchange rate.
There are also drug and alcohol rehabs in Thailand that are not luxury facilities. They charge between around US$9,000 to US$11,000 per month. This is around AU$15,000 to almost AU$17,000, again depending on the variable exchange rate. There are some budget-friendly rehab programmes that charge roughly US$7,000 per month, which is just under AU$ 12,000.
There are also reportedly monasteries or temples that offer alternative treatments for free or for a small donation. However, these treatments are not regulated and medical professionals do not recommend them.
Paying for Rehab
The prices above are lower than what similar treatment would cost in Australia. Despite this, they are still quite high and many may not be able to pay for them out of pocket. However, many rehab centres offer staggered payment plans, allowing someone to pay for the cost of care slowly over time instead of all at once.
You may also be able to access your superannuation for mental health treatment, including support for substance use disorder.
What Factors Affect the Cost of Rehab?
The cost of rehab in Thailand is lower than the cost of care in Australia. But why is this? And what other factors affect how much a Thai rehab charges for their services? Some of the reasons that Thai rehabs charge so much less than their Australian counterparts include:
Cost of Living
The factor that exerts the most influence over the cost of addiction treatment in Thailand is the country’s lower cost of living. Everything in Thailand is significantly cheaper than in Australia, from food to petrol to housing. Because of this, Thai rehabs can operate at much lower costs than Australian facilities can.
Labour Costs
Similarly, labour in Thailand costs significantly less than in Australia. Because of the lower cost of living, people in Thailand can be paid a fraction of what a person in Australia is paid. This lowers the cost of operating a rehab facility.
Healthcare Costs
The costs of living and labour are not the only things that are lower in Thailand than in Australia. Healthcare is also significantly cheaper. For example, therapists in Thailand can charge as little as 2,500 Baht for a session depending on their location. This is around AU$ 120.
What’s Included in Rehab Costs?
How much does rehab cost in Thailand? It’s relatively affordable. It’s still thousands of dollars for treatment, but the prices in Thailand are significantly lower than what it would cost in Australia. But does the lower cost mean a lower quality of care? What’s included in a treatment programme?
Detox
Alcohol and drug detox is often included as part of a wider treatment programme. This is an important part of a rehab programme and going through drug or alcohol detox is how a person purges their body of the illicit substances that they’ve taken.
Room and Board
Accommodations are also included in the cost of treatment. For luxury rehab centres, this means a room that is not unlike what can be found in a resort, as well as various amenities such as gyms, yoga studios, and pools.
Activities and Excursions
Holistic treatments and excursions are part of the treatment package at many rehab facilities in Thailand. Many of the treatment centres tap into the country’s booming tourist industry and integrate them into their programmes.
Aftercare
Many Thai rehab centres, but not all of them, offer aftercare services to prevent relapse. These services are often included in the cost of treatment, but some centres may charge an extra fee for them. It depends on each centre’s specific policies.
Is a Thai Rehab Centre Worth It?
Yes. It’s hard to argue with the value that a treatment centre in Thailand can provide, especially for those who need substance use and mental health treatment. They can offer the same world-class care for significantly cheaper, allowing more people access to rehab treatment.
This accessibility can be especially necessary given the dire consequences of addiction. Thailand’s rehab facilities can offer a more cost-effective treatment option, even after the cost of airfare is factored in.
Addiction isn’t something that affects one person. It also affects the people around them. Treatment facilities in Thailand can help people repair their relationships and help them make amends to their loved ones.
Are There Other Low-Cost Rehab Programmes?
Thailand rehabs can offer world-class treatment at a fraction of the cost of what it would cost in Australia. However, Thailand is by no means the only place where a person can find affordable rehab treatment.
Another country that can afford treatment at a low cost is Spain. An example of this is Sierra Recovery in Malaga. There, a person can find the same world-class care and support for addiction, as well as alternative treatments that are rooted in the local culture.
