Two 91原创 organizations are making residential treatment available for four British Columbians battling addition and trauma.
People can now apply for one of the four fully funded treatment scholarships created through a partnership between The Hills Rehab in Chiang Mai, Thailand, the Nate D Foundation, and Andy Bhatti Interventions and Addiction Services.
The scholarships provide 45 days of free residential treatment followed by 30 days in sober living, giving clients the time and support needed to begin lasting recovery. Applicants must be trauma survivors or individuals facing substance abuse challenges and financial hardship.
For more than a decade, Canadian interventionist Andy Bhatti has connected clients from B.C.鈥檚 Lower Mainland to specialized treatment programs in Thailand. With opioid and fentanyl overdoses at record highs, Thailand鈥檚 centres offer programs that help clients become completely free from opiates within 45 to 60 days.
This approach stands in stark contrast to many Canadian programs, where clients are often placed on long-term opioid replacement therapies such as methadone or Suboxone for years.
鈥淔amilies don鈥檛 want to spend $50,000 only to have their loved one leave treatment still dependent on another drug,鈥� Bhatti said. 鈥淚n Thailand, clients get intensive trauma therapy and leave completely drug-free.鈥�
While many Canadian centres rely solely on 12-step programs, Thailand鈥檚 facilities, including The Hills Rehab, offer evidence-based trauma therapies such as EMDR, Internal Family Systems, ACE (Adverse Childhood Experience) work, exposure therapy, psychoeducation, and self-development programs.
The Hills Rehab also operates a specialized youth program for men aged 18 to 25, focusing on life skills, self-esteem, relapse prevention, and team-building through activities like kickboxing.
鈥淚t鈥檚 crazy that we have to send people from 91原创, Surrey, Vancouver, and Aldergrove all the way to Thailand just to get clean and sober,鈥� Bhatti commented. 鈥淏ut even with travel, it鈥檚 still more affordable 鈥� and more effective 鈥� than most private programs in Canada.鈥�
Private treatment in Canada can cost $25,000 to $35,000 a month for a private room. In comparison, The Hills Rehab charges $8,000 USD per month for shared rooms or $12,900 USD for private rooms with intensive trauma therapy.
The scholarships are funded in part by The Nate D Foundation, created by Tiffany in memory of her son Nate. Nate attended treatment in Thailand through a scholarship five years ago, which changed his life. Tragically, he passed away from an overdose during COVID. Since then, Tiffany has helped fund treatment for 10 more clients, with a high success rate in long-term recovery.
Applicants can email The Hills Rehab at thehillsrehabchiangmai.com with 鈥淪cholarship鈥� in the subject line (attn: Peter) or contact The Nate D Foundation directly with 鈥淣ate D Scholarship鈥� in the subject.
For a free consultation about treatment options in Canada or abroad, contact Andy Bhatti Interventions and Addiction Services at www.AndyBhatti.com.
