Saudi Arabia’s government is an Islamic monarchy and is governed in compliance with Sharia law. As such, alcoholic beverages are prohibited, and the stigma associated with drug or alcohol use is strong.
“For those who suffer from alcohol and drug abuse, treatment is scarce and the stigma so great that most never talk about their addiction, even to close family members….one the biggest roadblocks to recovery and awareness in Muslim and Arab communities is denial and shame.”
There also appears to be a growing problem with addiction in Saudi Arabia. DARA Drug and Alcohol Rehab provides premier care in two private settings in a resort location in Thailand. Because we are located in a luxurious and remote setting, many people use DARA for their medical tourism needs.
According to an article in Arab News, solvent abuse is “a growing trend among secondary school students in the Kingdom with many abusers progressing to harder forms of substance abuse such as cannabis, hashish, opium and heroin.”
Also, according to a report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in Saudi Arabia, there are considerable seizures of fenetylline (a stimulant known as Captagon in Saudi Arabia). Based on this fact, the UNODC speculates that this “would seem to imply that these drugs are abused in Saudi Arabia at a significant scale.” The UNODC country profile goes on to state, “There is also abuse of cannabis. Reports also mention a rising abuse of heroin and cocaine, albeit at a low overall level.”
Additionally, the UNODC concludes, “There may…also be a considerable amount of ‘hidden’ abuse in Saudi Arabia” because “cultural and social restrictions prevailing in the region may impede addicts from admitting to their drug abuse.”
The same UNODC country profile states: “Non Saudi addicts are jailed and deported. Saudis are usually sent to one of the three drug treatment hospitals in the country. ”
For these reasons, many individuals choose to seek treatment at DARA, in order to receive a customized, carefully implemented drug rehab program that respects the privacy and dignity of each client.
Alcohol and Drug Rehab Options in Saudi Arabia
In a February, 2011 interview with Arab News, Dr. Khaled Al-Mirghalani with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health, states the Kingdom currently has 18 hospitals that, “cater for mental patients and drug addicts.” The Ministry of Health also plans to build another large (500 bed) mental health hospital in Riyadh with facilities to treat patients with drug addictions.
As far as we know, there are no other drug and alcohol rehab facilities in Saudi Arabia other than the hospitals described above. And, because of the above mentioned statement by the UNODC about non Saudi addicts being “jailed and deported,” we do not know if non-Saudis have access to the Kingdom’s hospitals mentioned above.
If you are in need of alcohol or drug addiction treatment, and wish to pursue recovery from addiction in a private, discreet, professional, and luxury environment, DARA Drug and Alcohol Rehab can help.
Our luxury accommodations and serene setting, coupled with our exceptional therapy program, will provide you with the best possible environment and life tools for working your recovery program—so you can stop drinking/drug use, and move beyond a life shaped and tormented by drug or alcohol addiction. Instead, you can live a clean and sober, healthier and happier life.
DARAs drug treatment and alcohol rehab programs use an Integrated Treatment Model that includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). In addition to CBT individual and group counseling, our program incorporates personal physical training, water workout in our beautiful pool, group education sessions, art therapy, stress management, meditation, relapse prevention, island excursions (as well as other social activities), and aftercare planning. For more about our alcohol and drug treatment program, please see our Treatment Program page.
Your Trip to Thailand / Coming to DARA Drug and Alcohol Rehab
When coming to Thailand for treatment at DARA Drug and Alcohol Rehab, most of our clients fly into Bangkok’s international Suvarnabhumi (pronounced “su-wan-na-poom”) Airport (BKK). There are multiple airlines flying 1-stop flights from Riyadh King Khalid International Airport to Bangkok.
DARA is located on the tropical island of Koh Chang in Trat Province on the eastern part of Thailand.
If you or a loved one has an alcohol and addiction problem, contact DARA. We are happy to discuss your needs and concerns, and provide the help and information you need to regain your sobriety.