Finland has a serious drug problem, and it has been getting worse. A study of waste-water from over 70 cities in Europe found that residents of Helsinki used over 300 kg of methamphetamine in 2018. Meanwhile, what some customs officials refer to as “The South American Tsunami” of cocaine continues to flood the market, leading to increasing levels of cocaine abuse in Finland, with hard drugs migrating from Helsinki to far-flung towns like Rovaniemi. While heroin use remains uncommon in Finland, addicts are still injecting a variety of opioid painkillers.
Finnish addicts are particularly fond of buprenorphine, a synthetic opioid which provides a high similar to heroin when injected. Sanna Ronka of the National Institute of Health and Welfare (THL) states that “In the Finnish drug culture, there is a significantly higher rate of abuse of prescription medication than in the rest of the EU. Drugs such as opioids and amphetamines are injected more here than other countries.” In fact, drug overdose is the leading cause of death for Finnish men under the age of 40. With drug use becoming increasingly common in Finland, if you’re hoping to turn your life around, you might be better off looking abroad for treatment.
Why Are Finnish Addicts Looking To Portugal For Answers?
Portugal was in the midst of an epidemic of heroin addiction (much like Germany in the 1970s and 1980s) when they made the dramatic decision to embrace the principles of harm-reduction and decriminalize the consumption of all drugs. As one of the architects behind Portugal’s new approach explains it: “We realized we were squandering resources. It made much more sense for us to treat drug addicts as patients who needed help, not as criminals.” By removing the threats of prosecution and incarceration, Portugal has reduced the stigma surrounding addiction, and the number of addicts receiving treatment has increased by 60% since 1998. The results the country has achieved simply by treating addicts with dignity and viewing addiction as a health issue has caused countries such as Canada, Switzerland, and the Netherlands to embrace harm-reduction. Portugal’s clear-headed, compassionate approach to treating addiction makes it an ideal destination for those attempting to overcome substance-abuse problems.
Finland has embraced some of the principles of harm-reduction, particularly by implementing needle exchange programs. But the country still maintains a “dual-track” approach, where the provision of health services goes hand in hand with police and prosecutors who remain committed to locking up drug users. It is also very difficult for those addicted to opioids to access replacement therapy, a problem which has been acknowledged by harm reduction activists.
Finland offers some publicly funded drug treatment options to addicts looking to reclaim their lives, and there are also privately run residential treatment facilities in nearby countries such as Sweden and Switzerland. These centers have the benefit of being close to home, but for those without substantial bank accounts, the cost of effective treatment in a comfortable setting can be staggering. Luxury private facilities have rates rising as high as $77,000 US per week! And if you’re looking for a publicly funded facility, you need to be prepared for wait times spanning weeks, or even months, before being placed in an overcrowded and under-funded treatment facility, often at the expense of your employer, a system which can have profoundly negative impacts on your career. The shortage of treatment beds and affordable facilities has pushed many Finnish addicts to the brink of despair.
If you’re looking to be treated with dignity and respect, experience compassionate care, and maintain your privacy, going abroad might be your best option. Drug addiction is still viewed harshly in many Finnish communities, particularly rural areas, and studies have found that addiction carries more stigma than mental illness. In many small towns, the addicted are still seen as criminals who have succumbed to a “moral failing” rather than sick people in need of medical treatment. And Finnish police maintain a database of those convicted of drug offenses which employers can check at any time for up to a decade. It can be difficult to admit to having a substance abuse problem in these circumstances. If you’d prefer to be treated as a person, rather than a junkie, as you begin your recovery journey, you might want to consider seeking treatment in Portugal!
What Are The Benefits Of Treatment Abroad?
1) Environment
Leaving an environment full of familiar stressors and temptations can have a beneficial effect in treatment, and Portugal is a great place to recover from the traumas related to addiction. It’s a picturesque country with a lovely Mediterranean climate. It’s dotted with quaint villages, ancient ruins, majestic castles, and miles of beautiful coastline. And there are few regions better suited to recovering your health than Portugal’s sun-drenched Alentejo region. A land of rolling hills and vast plains, the Alentejo offers visitors the opportunity to recover their health and connections to the natural world by riding horses, watching birds, stargazing, hiking, and cycling. Many Finnish visitors are especially appreciative of the temperate climate, peaceful lifestyle, and delicious regional fare, while feeling at home with a climate, culture, and society that is familiar enough to feel welcoming. All this, while enjoying a rehab facility that rivals a luxurious resort or hotel for a fraction of the cost of treatment back home. You’ll disconnect from a toxic environment and share amazing new experiences with people from all around the world!
2) Privacy
While increasing numbers of people are coming to the understanding that addiction is a medical issue, there is still a significant social and professional stigma that comes with seeking treatment for substance abuse. If you head to Portugal, it’s easy to tell friends, family members, and colleagues that you’re off on a much-needed vacation and avoid awkward conversations and prying questions. There’s also no risk that someone will spot you emerging from a clinic or support group meeting and start whispering.
3) Promising Treatments Unavailable At Home
We’ve written a lot about the undeniable power of ayahuasca and ibogaine to combat the addictive properties of opioids and other drugs, and to open the addicted mind to the idea of a positive transformation into sobriety. Because Portugal has decriminalized all drugs, promising treatments that cannot be obtained in a safe medical setting in Finland (where the substance is illegal and use can lead to arrest and prosecution) can be accessed here under the supervision of health-care professionals.
4) Easy Intake
When you’ve reached rock bottom, a treatment center that can quickly start the process of detox and recovery can be a life-saver. The prospect of waiting months for the in-patient treatment you need can be a heart-breaking, motivation-sapping roadblock. Finland’s public drug treatment programs are underfunded, one of the main reasons why the majority of Finnish addicts are pushed into less intensive outpatient treatment programs and have difficulty accessing buprenorphine or methadone maintenance programs. Treatment centers abroad can immediately start the intake process, allowing you to strike back at your addiction when you’re feeling hopeful and motivated. This can make all the difference in the world!
Tabula Rasa Retreat
At Tabula Rasa Retreat we have a unique ability to accommodate clients from around the world with our welcoming, open-minded, and international staff. We have had great experiences with Finnish clients before! You’d also be hard-pressed to find a treatment center more committed to the safety of their clients than Tabula Rasa Retreat. We’re deeply committed to maintaining a supportive and non-judgmental environment for facilitating recovery and personal growth.
In addition to offering ibogaine treatment, we also provide a wide array of holistic treatments, including breathwork, kundalini yoga, equine-assisted therapy, kambo, and more. All of these practices are extremely beneficial for re-energizing both body and spirit to pursue recovery. In combination with our ten-hectares of outdoor space, large terraces, and outdoor swimming pool, we let nature remind our clients to be grateful and receptive for new horizons and second chances. We have many testimonials from people around the globe who’ve benefited immeasurably from experiencing our treatments in beautiful, sunny Portugal. If you’d like to experience treatment abroad, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
For further information visit www.tabularasaretreat.com or call PT +351 965 751 649 UK +44 7961 355 530