Scotland has some of the highest rates of drug misuse and addiction in Europe, but it struggles to keep up with the demand for effective and timely treatment. Individuals seeking treatment in scotland from the NHS are generally subject to a long process of referrals and waiting lists. It’s estimated that you’re likely to wait 8 weeks to see a mental health counselor who might not have experience treating addiction. The road to inpatient addiction treatment is even longer: if cheaper, less intensive options don’t work for you, you’re likely to wait 6 months to a year before entering a “budget rehab” center that attempts to cheaply treat large numbers of clients. Doesn’t sound ideal, does it?
In fact, Scottish advocates refer to the country as a place where “the rich get rehab, and the poor get methadone.” In late 2019, FAVOR (Faces and Voices of Recovery) launched their “You Keep Talking, We Keep Dying” campaign, as studies showed that overdose deaths had climbed 27% in 2018, a rate which matches America’s per capita overdose statistics! In fact, FAVOR notes that Glasgow only has 14 beds available for abstinence based, residential treatment while the vast majority of those seeking help are funneled into replacement therapy programs. They note that “Substitution therapy is not the same thing as treatment; it’s just a script-and-go service for most people. It has to work alongside psycho-social support, so people can look at the issues that caused them to get unwell in the first place.”
Addiction is a life-threatening issue, and treatment is far more effective at a time when the addict is open to change. Waiting months to enter a sub-par treatment program can be a potentially fatal mistake. And exchanging a dependence on opiates for a daily fix of methadone can bring health benefits, but it’s far from a perfect solution.
If you want to get treatment when the time is right for you, there are private options available in the UK. But with 6 week program fees costing as much as $22,000 US, the costs can quickly become prohibitive, especially if you’re looking for a comfortable, relaxing, and luxurious environment. This is one of may reasons why Scots seeking treatment are beginning to look overseas, where waiting times are reduced to nothing, and a luxurious experience can be had without financially crippling fees.
Why Are Scottish Addicts Looking To Portugal For Answers?
Portugal was in the midst of an epidemic of heroin addiction 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, France, Switzerland and Germany 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.
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 traveling abroad can bring a profound sense of relief and relaxation. Portugal is 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. Scottish visitors are especially appreciative of the warm, dry climate, and the delicious regional fare. All while enjoying a rehab facility that rivals the atmosphere of a sea-side resort and costs a fraction of the price 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. For those living in small, socially conservative communities, this can be quite a blessing!
3) Proximity
The benefits of leveraging family support in the treatment process have been proven. For patients from Scotland, treatment in Portugal can offer all the benefits of treatment abroad, along with easy access to family and friends whose support can make all the difference. With flight routes serviced by multiple budget carriers, your loved ones can be by your side in a matter of hours, for as little as 20 pounds. Portugal offers the best of both worlds: a sunny and exotic environment that offers all the comforts of home!
4) 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 the UK can be accessed here with the supervision of health-care professionals. In spite of our belief in ibogaine’s remarkable ability to interrupt addiction, we would strongly advocate against using it in regions where draconian laws force its use underground.
5) Value
Scotland has many incredible treatment facilities staffed by dedicated and experienced professionals. But with high-end options costing up to 500 Euros per day, many of the best centres for Addiction Treatment Scotland are prohibitively expensive. Going abroad can offer you a luxurious and comfortable experience without the financially crippling consequences that can result from treatment at home.
6) 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 six-months for the in-patient treatment you need can be a heart-breaking, motivation-sapping roadblock. 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 Scotland. Our staff is fluent in English, and our program director is a UK citizen with a doctorate from Warwick University. Members of our staff have trained in the UK, and our screening process and safety procedures are a point of pride for us. You’d be hard-pressed to finding a treatment center more committed to the safety of their clients than Tabula Rasa Retreat. We’re also deeply committed to maintaining a supportive and non-judgmental environment for facilitating recovery and personal-growth.
In addition to offering ibogaine therapy, 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 United Kingdom citizens 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