James Baio
Jul 5, 2026
Really eye opening experience. The whole staff is extremely welcoming and willing to have a laugh, good food, nice and clean rooms and all a round a vary beneficial experience.
Thailand, Phuket
Benzodiazepine addiction Treatment in Phuket Island Rehab
About the clinic
Phuket Island Rehab in Phuket, Thailand, provides specialized care for benzodiazepine addiction in a private residential setting by the beach. The facility is accredited by the Thailand Ministry of Public Health and focuses on medically supervised detox and dual diagnosis care. Medical Director Dr. Ponlawat Pitsuwan, a licensed physician specializing in addiction medicine, leads the clinical team and oversees all treatment protocols.
Diagnostics and medical assessment
The recovery process begins with a detailed evaluation to determine the physical and psychological impact of benzodiazepine use. These assessments help the medical team design a safe tapering schedule and therapy plan. Evaluation services include:
- Free confidential assessment call. This initial step helps patients understand their treatment options.
- Psychiatric consultation. A 60-minute session identifies co-occurring mental health disorders like anxiety or PTSD.
- Comprehensive medical work-up. This includes blood tests for organ function and an electrocardiogram (ECG).
- Vital sign monitoring. Continuous tracking occurs during the initial stages of withdrawal.
- Addiction screening tools. The team uses the SCOFF questionnaire and Binge Eating Scale where appropriate.
Benzodiazepine treatment methods
The clinic uses evidence-based protocols to manage the risks associated with benzodiazepine withdrawal. Because stopping these medications suddenly can be dangerous, the medical team employs a gradual dose tapering method. Treatment options include:
- Medical detox. This inpatient phase lasts 7–10 days and often uses a diazepam conversion taper. Nurses provide 24-hour care to manage withdrawal symptoms safely.
- Residential rehab. Patients stay for 28, 60, or 90 days in a structured environment. The program includes chef-prepared meals, yoga, and Muay Thai.
- Dual diagnosis program. This integrated care treats the underlying trauma or depression driving the addiction. It uses therapies like EMDR, Cognitive Processing Therapy, and Stress Inoculation Training.
- Individual and group therapy. Sessions focus on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Prolonged Exposure to address triggers.
- Aftercare program. This includes 12 months of post-discharge support with weekly video check-ins to prevent relapse.
Dr. Ponlawat Pitsuwan founded the facility to provide a recovery environment that removes patients from their daily triggers. The program is designed for international patients seeking a structured path to sobriety. You may request a consultation through Bookimed to discuss your specific needs with a specialist.
Highlights
2023
Year of foundation
3 doctors
Get a free consultation
Phuket Island Rehab
The clinic is not accepting new requests
Submit your request to get the best option in Thailand
Average answering time – 5 minutes
Treatments prices in the clinic
Last price update — 29.03.2025. Prices can be changed depending on the medical case and doctor's recommendations.
Narcology and alcoholism
| treatment | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Treatment of drug addiction | Price on request |
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Phuket Island Rehab: more details about the clinic
Thailand, Phuket
Phuket Island Rehab is a private residential addiction treatment center established in 2023. Located in Phuket, Thailand, the facility operates as a medically supervised recovery center. It provides integrated care for substance addictions, behavioral disorders, and mental health conditions.
Clinical Achievements and Standards
The facility is recognized by the Thailand Ministry of Public Health. It is among the few licensed addiction and mental health centers in the country. The clinical team reports an 85% success rate for clients who stay longer than 30 days. Most patients travel from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and continental Europe.
Addiction and Mental Health Specializations
The clinic treats a variety of substance use disorders and process addictions. Specialists manage alcohol, opioid, cocaine, and methamphetamine addictions. The facility also addresses behavioral issues like gambling and internet addiction. For patients with dual diagnoses, the team builds mental health support into the primary recovery plan.
Alcohol recovery uses Phase 3 Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT). Physicians prescribe evidence-based options like naltrexone and acamprosate. The clinical team tailors MAT based on co-occurring conditions and medical history. This includes informed consent and genuine engagement with the recovery plan.
For PTSD and trauma, the clinic offers several evidence-based psychotherapy options:
- Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
- Prolonged Exposure Therapy
- Stress Inoculation Training (SIT)
Dr. John A. Smith, a physician with 15 years of experience, specializes in these trauma-focused approaches. All programs undergo clinical review by founder Dr. Ponlawat Pitsuwan, an addiction medicine specialist.
Residential Treatment Phasing
Care follows a structured residential pathway lasting 30, 60, or 90 days. Phase 1 covers assessment and detoxification during the first 14 days. Specialists provide 24-hour nursing care for safe, medically supervised withdrawal management. Protocols are substance-specific, with dedicated paths for opioid and benzodiazepine detox.
A full medical work-up is required upon arrival. The team performs vital-sign checks, electrocardiograms, and blood tests for organ function. Refeeding monitoring is available for clients with co-occurring eating disorders. Assessment tools include the SCOFF questionnaire and the Binge Eating Scale.
Holistic and physical therapies complement clinical treatment to support long-term wellness:
- Mindfulness meditation and yoga
- Muay Thai and strength training
- Swimming and beach walks
These activities are part of the daily schedule. They improve physical fitness and mental clarity.
Support for International Patients
International care begins with a free confidential assessment call. The clinic offers private rooms with Wi-Fi, a desk, and a private bathroom. Facilities include a swimming pool, lounge areas, and dining spaces with chef-prepared meals. Aftercare planning begins before discharge to reduce relapse risk.
The structured twelve-month aftercare program provides ongoing support once patients return home. It includes weekly video check-ins with a therapist for the first three months. The team also connects patients with recovery communities and offers medication management guidance. For those unable to travel, an Online Rehab Program is available through telehealth.
Additional services
Language assistance
Available
free
Accommodation
Hotel (apartments) near the clinic, billed daily
Patient reviews
10 Google
reviews
Paul Croft
May 14, 2026
16/4/2026 was the day I admitted myself into Phuket Island Rehab for 28 days for both mental and physical health and alcohol addiction. I was welcomed by all the lovely support staff, the sessions held by the councillors, John, GIft and Toni were amazing, the knowledge and strength they give you in those 28 days is far more than AA and far cheaper than what it costs in Australia. On the 14/5/2026 (today) is the day that I leave Thailand feeling like the person I was 22 years ago both mentally, physically and not dependent on alcohol as a substance. Of course the journey will be ongoing hour by hour, day by day but Phuket Island Rehab have given me the tools and knowledge to be the best person I can be.
If you are thinking about ridding your substance abuse and working on YOU then Phuket Island Rehab is the place for you.
Neo Masekwameng
Jan 10, 2026
Phuket Island Rehab truly changed my life. From the moment I arrived, I felt safe, supported, and genuinely cared for. The staff are incredibly compassionate, professional, and deeply committed to each client’s healing journey. It never felt like “just a rehab” — it felt like a community that wanted me to succeed.
The program is well-structured while still being flexible and personalized. The therapists and counselors are highly skilled and approachable, and the holistic approach (mental, emotional, and physical healing) made a huge difference in my recovery. I learned tools here that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.
The location itself is peaceful and beautiful, which creates the perfect environment for reflection and growth. Being surrounded by nature while doing such deep inner work was incredibly grounding.
If you’re truly ready to change your life and are looking for a place that treats you with dignity, respect, and genuine care, I can’t recommend Phuket Island Rehab enough. I’m deeply grateful for this experience and for everyone who played a role in my recovery.
Rick
Dec 22, 2025
Great staff great food great experience these guys no exactly what that are doing the programme the give you works but it all come down to you and how much u put in highly recommended I loved my stay there and Kevin cannot do enough for you they all can't
Jon Søbben
Dec 19, 2025
The place and the people working there are great! They helped me with my problems and learned me tools I will bring with me home to keep me balanced.
Niko Sikelianos
Nov 8, 2025
This place to me was much more than a rehab, it was a safe space to start to understand who i am and why i should be proud of that.
This for me was a life shifting experience. The clinical staff at PIR is world class. Their life experience, compassion, and genuine care for their clients is apparent in every interaction.
Through the amazing work done here, not only did I gain a solid root hold in my recovery journey, it was also a removal of a life long cage that held back the love and compassion I now have for myself in all my versions.
Combining the amazing clinical staff with their completely devoted support team and kitchen staff as well as their medical department, makes this place feel like home for a soul in transition. I would recommend to anyone that they give this beautiful place a chance to help them discover self, and through that they might just find that recovery is a far more fulfilling journey than they may have imagined.
I am Niko and I am proud to be me.
Lead with Love
-Niko Sikelianos
Matthew Barry
Oct 1, 2025
This place is truly amazing and for anyone in need of rehabilitation please come here. I am an alcoholic and have been to many rehab centres in the UK and Turkey without any success but truly for the first time I have hope of a new life without alcohol which I never had previously. They collect you from the airport and you are looked after the moment you enter the rehab. There are many more rehabs out there which are more expensive but in this case more expensive does not mean better:)
The rooms are really nice and I stayed in an ocean view room with a relaxing terrace next door to have my morning coffee. The food is fantastic with a real variety in choice from authentic curries to fish and so much more made by chef Ramen.. Coffee machine is available with multiple choices . You get 3 meals a day so no need to worry about food . A special shout goes to John my therapist with whom I had three one to one sessions a week with. He really understands you and has a very calming persona which allows you to open up.
You have many group sessions with the lovely Toni & Gift (also John) which teach you new life skills and how to cope with triggers and craving and I have learnt things I never knew to help me in my recovery.
There is many activities you can participate in (It is your choice) such as Yoga, Singing bowl Muay thai massages and art classes.
You also have weekend excursions to beaches ,night markets and temples (optional again) and many more.
It sometimes feels like you are on holiday :)
Another special mention to the lovely Dawie who takes the yoga classes(also she is a support worker)s she is a breath of fresh air and has such an infectious bubbly personality and is good to be around.
With regards to all other staff I cannot fault anyone as this truly is a great place which I would recommend to anyone in need of addiction treatment.
I honestly never write reviews but felt I had to this time as I reached rock bottom but this place has made me believe I can enjoy live away from alcohol and has given me many tools to put in place to deal with my issues.
I actually turned up really drunk(shock for an alcoholic ha) but was given a diazapem program and got through the withdrawal which as anyone with an addiction is aware withdrawal is the hardest part and makes you still use but I came through it . I will continue online therapy sessions with John online .
These people really care about you so do yourself a favour , If you have lost all hope get in touch with Kevin and get yourself booked in. Kevin is a great guy also and makes the process so easy with excellent communication . I called one day and was there 5 days later .
The support staff Ye ,,Khao Alex and Dawie who take you on excursions are all really nice people and always ready to help with anything you nee
Take what you want from this review but it is all true and I hope everyone who is active addiction there is hope and this place can 100% get you felling so much better at a fraction of the costs of over rehabs.
So thank you to everyone at Phuket Island Rehab for giving me hope again.
Over & Out
Matthew(Recovering alcoholic)
Ernst Flügel
Sep 5, 2025
What an extraordinary center. It was my first time in rehabilitation, and at the beginning I was very skeptical about whether it would help me. But day by day, I learned something new. In addition to my addiction problem, my other issues were also intensively addressed. So it wasn't just a classic detox clinic, but went far beyond that. The staff, both therapeutic and in daily life, were excellent. The center has a very familiar atmosphere, and I will especially miss my conversations with the peers. That was unique. The program, food, excursions, and everything else were outstanding. The only thing that could be improved and more attention paid to is the maintanance of the building and the rooms.
I think I'll come back next year for some weeks, simply for my wellbeing, recovery, and a healthy break for body, mind, heart, and soul.
Thanks to everyone
Joseph Zammit
Aug 30, 2025
The staff were always so kind and helpful.
They really cared to aid my recovery.
Their mindfull therapy sessions and counselling sessions were so satisfying and taught me how to be successful in my recovery journey
Just an excellent place to go to learn how to recover from addiction and mental health.
Sadest part was saying goodbye.
Thanks again guys
Connor
Jul 20, 2025
I really want to thank Phuket Island Rehab for all they did for me.
At first I was a little worried because of the one negative review of the place but I’m so happy I trusted my gut as it was the BEST thing I could have done for myself. From the moment I arrived, I felt safe, supported, and genuinely cared for. The facilities are absolutely beautiful. The environment is peaceful and clean, and everything is designed to help you feel calm and grounded. The rooms were spacious and extremely comfortable. I never once felt like I was missing anything. Every level of care was provided without me even needing to ask.
The food was incredible. Every meal was fresh, healthy, and full of flavor. You could tell the staff put thought and effort into making sure we were nourished and well-fed. Eating well every day played a big part in helping me feel stronger, both physically and emotionally.
The therapy I received was on a completely different level. Toni and John have an incredible ability to truly understand addiction and the underlying pain that comes with it. They helped me dig deep and process things I had avoided for years. Their honesty, empathy, and insight made such a difference. I will never forget what they taught me.
The support workers were absolutely amazing. Daiwe, Gao, Ye, and Alex were always there when we needed something. Whether it was helping with day-to-day tasks, checking in with us, or just having a kind word ready when the days were tough, they always made us feel comfortable. Their presence created such a calm and safe atmosphere, and it meant a lot knowing they were always close by. The outings I had were also so beautiful and gave a sense of freedom.
Phuket Island Rehab gave me a second chance. I arrived unsure of myself and uncertain about my future. I left with clarity, strength, and a deep sense of gratitude. I will carry this experience with me for the rest of my life. If you are thinking about getting help, this is the place. They do not just help you get clean. They help you heal. All my love to the staff and other clients 💕
32, 23 Sakdidej Road Cape Panwa, Wichit, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83000, Thailand
updated 9/30/2026
Get a free consultation
Phuket Island Rehab
The clinic is not accepting new requests
Submit your request to get the best option in Thailand
Average answering time – 5 minutes
How it works:
- We find a medical coordinator familiar with the matter
- You get a personal offer with a step-by-step guide and the cost estimate
- We arrange your travel including appointment scheduling and flights booking
- You arrive at the hospital, we support you 24/7