People who embrace Hong Kong’s “work hard, play hard” mantra too keenly can find themselves susceptible to addiction. SUDI NARASIMHAN is CEO of The Cabin Chiang Mai, an inpatient centre in Thailand that offers an immersive treatment environment in a resort-style setting close to home. We ask him about the rehabilitation centre and how this treatment facility supports patients far beyond their programmes for a range of conditions including alcohol addiction disorder.
What makes people prone to a drug or alcohol addiction in Hong Kong?
This is an exciting place to live, with great opportunities for work, entertainment, dining and round-the-clock activity. Many jobs pay well, too. Yet this comes with increasing demands on the amount of work required and being “on” for long hours each day.
For some, this results in burnout, anxiety and depression, while others can turn to alcohol and drugs to cope – and this can lead to addiction.
Addiction can get worse over time and lead to health problems, issues with relationships, loss of mental focus at work, and dysregulated mood. Sometimes a break is needed – a chance to get out of the environment that is causing the issue and to seek treatment from professionals.
Give us an overview of The Cabin and the aims of the rehabilitation centre.
People seeking treatment in Hong Kong have limited options. So being able to access these services in the region is an attractive one. The Cabin Rehab is in Chiang Mai, a two-hour flight from HK, and is situated along the Ping River with a backdrop of Northern Thailand’s lush mountains. It has treated more than 5,000 clients since 2010 – including hundreds from Hong Kong.
The Cabin treats drug and alcohol addiction, anxiety and stress with a comprehensive programme that includes group therapy with a cohort of peers going through similar issues, one-on-one therapy with a licensed therapist, holistic treatment encompassing mindfulness and guided meditation, yoga, sound healing and reiki. It also has bespoke fitness instructors who put together a tailored one-on-one exercise programme to help clients achieve their goals while in treatment. There’s also a dedicated massage centre to offer traditional therapeutic massage to aid in physical and mental recovery.
Tell us about the team at The Cabin.
The rehabilitation centre offers 24/7 staffing by a qualified nursing team and an experienced support team. A leading psychiatrist is regularly onsite along with a full team of Western-trained counsellors and therapists. We also have a full fitness and operational team who are trained and specifically focused on anticipating and helping the needs of clients in treatment.
What can clients expect from this rehabilitation treatment facility?
The rehabilitation programme weaves cognitive behaviour therapy together with art therapy, which allows for an expression of a person’s subconscious into tangible issues that can then be worked through and resolved with therapy.
As a complement to this, there are scheduled weekly excursions. These serve as a therapeutic means to consolidate the learnings undertaken during the week. The excursions provide an immersive experience into the nature of Northern Thailand and Thai culture – they include whitewater rafting, zip lining and bicycling along the river, along with Thai cooking, feeding and bathing elephants, making traditional Thai crafts and other activities.
This comprehensive programme provides a full reset by focusing on the foundations: nutritious energising meals provided onsite, regular exercise, restful sleep and a full schedule to help provide a framework and specific tools that assist in providing a lasting recovery, allowing for a healthy break and successful return back to daily life in Hong Kong.
Speaking of Hong Kong, is there also support in place for people returning to HK?
Yes, as part of the rehabilitation programme, we offer aftercare services to help clients stay engaged. We’re also able to offer counselling services on an outpatient basis.
Find out more about The Cabin at thecabinchiangmai.com. For details about outpatient counselling services in HK, visit thecabinhongkong.com.hk.
This article about rehabilitation centre and treatment facility The Cabin and supporting people with alcohol addiction disorder first appeared in the Spring 2024 issue of Expat Living magazine. Subscribe now so you never miss an issue!
