DARA Thailand

My wife came to Dara in January 2018 and had a return visit in a May, for alcohol treatment. She’s currently taking psych meds that I think need to be adjusted. Dara is not capable of doing this. They can only dispense medications. I believe this is half of her problem and Dara isn’t qualified to make any medication changes. Alcoholism has led to marital difficulties. After my wife completed her second visit to Dara, she left rehab with two other women from Dara and went on a drunken bender in Bangkok. I question what type of rehab this is and how successful they are given my current situation. I hope for everyone’s sake my situation is unique and this is common. It’s been several days and family hasn’t been unsuccessful in getting my wife to return home. I question what her mental state was when she left, because the next day she’s suicidal and intoxicated. I understand that everyone is responsible for their own decisions. My disappointment is that I contacted Dara for assistance with me Wife. I was told her team was notified and attempted to contact my wife. She’s been hold up in a hotel for a few days now. I’ve tried what limited resources that I could. I want some assistance in calling the hotel to Check her welfare. My wife is depressed, suicidal and drinking. No one from Dara contacted the hotel to check on my wife. I request her counselor call me and I provided my number. I have not received a call. To say I’m disappointed in Dara is an understatement. I keep my fingers crossed that my wife comes to her senses and gets on a plane back to the states before she harms herself or someone harms her. She is in a very vulnerable state and it’s alarming I cant even get a phone call. Don’t waste your money here. Do some research and make sure you find a rehab with the proper medical staff, including Accredited Doctors. I pray my wife comes home safe. So much for a trip to rehab and achieving sobriety.

Stayed here many years ago 2015 but refused to stay on as all the good therapists quit leaving junior volunteers to running things while there was lack of therapists. Not what I was paying good money and my valuable time for. accommodation was bliss as they bought an old health retreat. And the food was excellent western varieties which was one of there good points. Gym equipment was rough and old or non existent. The phase work and group therapy is pretty much the same doesn’t matter where you go. I came back at start of 2018 knowing it’s a business and read good reviews, things would of only gotten better. As they make millions and it’s been a few years now. Not the case I felt very ripped off. All the therapists are now a lazy group of disinterested individuals enjoy their well payed jobs. The food has gone down hill, from western style food to cheaper Thai buffet, not the good Thai food we know. Brown rice etc. Accommodation is the same but looking really tired now with no improvements at all. Nothing Gym was a shock as it was pretty bad back many years ago, again nothing changed or added just rusting away. The people just keep coming so they don’t change anything for the better. All the clients were leaving going to other rehabs to finish there time. Sad. If I had a problem they happily point to towards the door with no refunds at all. Even after the first day. They have an excellent website to sell to us but it’s not like it when you arrive. Individualised no not at all.

I attended DARA for 28 days this year (2018) by my own volition. I was uncertain, cynical and concerned about having to spend time with people who might not be anything like me and I didn't want to be brought down by their issues. I knew I didn't want to go to a 12 steps place as I have an issue with religion and not taking responsibility for your own actions and I didn't really consider myself as "spiritual" - more a very busy corporate woman who wanted a quick solution. I don't understand anybody who poorly reviews DARA. I'd never done anything like this in my life before and my experience was life changing. I'd be the first person to criticise someone for saying that but it really was. The counselling was the key. We all fall by the wayside because of our history and life experiences and everyone I met there told me things that I felt honoured to hear. I'm not a hippy kind of person and neither are the counsellors or all of the clients, which is what I was worried about. The clients - or friends as I would like to call them - came from all walks of life, with their own incredibly sad or amazing stories which they never forced on you. The commonalities though were that they were hugely intelligent, caring and non-judgemental. More surprising was the huge amount of laughter and fun that we all had together. Not to trivialise the work that DARA does but I had a particularly amazing group of clients/friends who were just bloody normal people and whilst there would be intensely sad times with tears (randomly, when you least expected it, from myself), we also laughed at each other and with each other. It wasn't the strange cult that I thought it would be. It was like going back to Uni - without the alcohol - with an amazing bunch of people that you could be totally honest with and dance around the pool in the sun or play water basketball with. Its hard work. Of course it's hard. You are opening up yourself to your therapist or your group and it can be massively painful. You don't want people to see you get upset and you have a huge amount of written work to do as well as an exercise schedule that you may balk at when you see it at first (as I did, having done no exercise for 20 years). You have enough time to yourself, I promise, to process stuff or just get away from everyone or talk to family. However, you want to be part of everything that goes on, you want to make the most of it. You might not feel like that for the first few days because you're tired, scared, confused, angry but if you don't make the most of it when you're feeling OK, you will regret it. I didn't know what I was walking into but I actually feel so lucky that I was able to afford to do this, to spend 28 days on myself in a beautiful, supportive and amazing environment. It's a cliche but I kind of understand myself a bit more and the journey is a continual one but I can not recommend DARA enough to anyone wanting to get away from the cycle of misery at home and wanting to come somewhere that is NOT a bland institution but a place where you experience holistic recovery and learn methods that will not only help you with your addiction, but take control of lots of aspects of your life

There are far better rehabs in Thailand, (at least research The Cabin, Hope, or Serenity). Dara is poorly run, with interns taking process ! The groups are ridiculous, the less send about the counsellors the better (for vegan / veggie's) the food was awful. Only fit for the monkeys which are constantly around at meal times. The facilities are outdated, (the most filthy yoga matts) After being at The Cabin, (then speaking with admission who is really sales) i felt i could save a bit of my limited personal budget and stay longer if i went to Dara, I realised my mistake after the first night. they convinced me to stay 6 nights, It was as if they were pretending to help. Please, if you or a loved one needs help, don't be fooled by the marketing or website. Choose somewhere else. Namaste

I relapsed twice over the past 7 months, having previously enjoyed 15 years of sobriety free of alcohol (my only dependency challenge), after bumping along between increasingly long sober patches and relapses during four decades. The first relapse I neither fully thought through nor took seriously enough, although I did take some remedial steps. The second advised me inconveniently that something more basic was at play undermining my sobriety. And I realized, with the help of friends, that I needed to delve into the state of mind and heart that was predisposing me again to drink. In that sense, my relapses may well have been a “cry for help”, including a greater effort at self-help. So I started investigating programs that might help me. I was looking for a refresher course rather than a full-duration (4-5 week) cycle of programming. I had experienced several rehab and equivalent programs, good, bad and ugly (the latter, a sboot camp approach, which surely did not inspire sobriety in any of its clients, appealing to fear and loathing rather than to reason and emotional exploration). After considerable research (I was by then several days sober) by friends and myself, I zeroed in on two programs in Thailand, both with excellent overall reputations. Either would probably have done a very good job, but my MD thought that the Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) approach of the Dara Rehab program might suit me best. My research zeroed in on Thailand for several reasons: in my case, proximity; the financial costs relative to those of programs elsewhere; availability of places for immediate admission; and the apparent seriousness of the program (from comments available on-line and from several professionals I consulted). My MD’s advice proved inspired. I spent ten days with Dara (one night of well-organized “intake” in Bangkok, and 9 days at the Koh Chang rehab center). There, the other “clients” proved a diverse lot hailing mainly from the Australia, New Zealand and the UK, with a few others thrown in. The staff was overwhelmingly quite young, highly motivated and disposed to treat clients as individuals rather than raw material for a cookie-cutter approach. Importantly they “shared” in the very frequent and well-managed group sessions along-side the clients. The schedule was a busy one, with at least three and sometimes four group sessions a days interspersed with sports, therapeutic sessions and some (but not very much) time for relaxation. Weekends are looser (including several well-chosen excursions) and a welcome break after agreeably intense schedules during the week. I had thought that one-on-one therapy would work best for me, as it had in the past, and, indeed, was assigned an excellent, highly intuitive counsellor who ably shifted gears to meet me half-way in what were very helpful bilateral sessions. The surprise for me was that the group meetings were at least as important to my ability and motivation to develop a fairly detailed program of change in my professional and personal life, not least adapting more willingly to the reality of advancing years, and reflecting this both in my work and private lives. This program of change I am already beginning to implement. I was highly satisfied by the outcome, and emerged admiring both the program itself and the team. Need I add that even though many of us clients had not so much in common with each other, I came to like the others very much, in the atmosphere conducive to comity fostered by the Dara team rather than to one of petty-minded calculations and feuds (a pit-fall in many group settings). A word about Dara and AA. In earlier treatment centers, I discovered that while aspects of AA were helpful to me, others were not. So a mix of AA-derived (or cultivated) principles and CBT worked best for me. The religious zeal brought to bear by some devotees on their practice of AA, the semi-coercive tone that creeps in at times (against the philosophy of the founders) and the difficulty at times of finding a group essentially sympathetic to one’s personality, has tended, over time, to undermine the reputation of AA, although the economy of means upon which it rests is admirable under any circumstances. Dara got the mix just right, with more emphasis on CBT but with key themes and lessons of AA overlapping helpfully. Thus, those moving on from Dara should be able to find comfort and help in a sympathetic AA group nearby. In brief, an excellent experience, and a very helpful one for me.

Having left there around 4 months ago and not touching booze or drugs since I think this place is a life saver! I cannot compare to other rehabs as I haven’t been but in the 4 weeks I was there it achieved what I haven’t been able to myself in 10 years !

Dara has done a wonderful job for me! There is no doubt in that. From the first moment I arrived in Koh Chang I was met with a positive feeling. There is an overall sense of healing there. The programme is in itself a great treatment option for most people even the ones seeking wellness. Dara’s dedicated stuff would make any place feel good. Thank you with utmost sincerity.

Amazing place and the staff was ace

Very welcoming place with a beautiful view. All the staff were very helpful and supportive: the counselors, house keeping, kitchen staff, everyone extremely friendly, professional and helpful. Good value for money. PT was amazing, he is Dara's rock! I would highly recommend Dara's highly supportive programme to others. In fact, I already passed this information to a close friend.

The very second you arrive at Dara you feel safe and comfortable. This place has one objective and getting you sober and giving you the tools to stay that way. It blows my mind to read negative reviews ! I honestly think that they didn't go to the place i did. The program is beyond good. if you wan't help it is right in front of you! The food is great ( best fruit i have ever had in my life) . How can anyone complain about a private villa with a deck and outdoor shower. Laundry is done every day your room is cleaned daily by a great staff. The weekend excursions are fantastic.The staff is for the most part in recovery or very familiar with the process. They will be strict if a situation calls for it but they are laid back most of the time. In a place like Dara that feels like resort people tend to forget that they are in rehab and their will be rules and restrictions. If you don't understand that you should just go somewhere for vacation .

Amazing, life- affirming, life- changing, REAL, challenging. Fantastic rapport with clients & staff alike. I have truly learned how to let go of negative people, the past & thoughts. A sunny future beckons!

It sounds absurd but i really enjoyed my stay in DARA facilities. Stayed for two months and i know it could have been a lot worse if i had chosen a sub-par rehab over these guys. I can honestly say i owe you my life. I have been clean for 6 months now and knock wood, so far no relapses so their after-care is top of the line. The setting and accomodation was fantastic, Thailand is such a wonderful country to visit. Not sure if i could live there though. I wish they had more varieties of accomodation to choose from, it was a first come first serve sort of thing and i think the best rooms had already been picked, which was my only pet-peeve. Thanks to many others in my group that went through this with me and above all, thanks to DARA for facilitating this self-growth and accomplishment. I am clean and intend to stay that way because of you.

My 24 year old son is about to complete his month at Dara. The changes in his perception and self awareness are astonishing. The treatment at Dara is second to non in my opinion, and has opened a door in his mind that I thought would be forever closed. The CBT, and group sessions have been really effective. I've never heard my son speak so eloquently about his former addiction, understanding the processes behind it, and be so excited about living a clean life. His focal councillor has been amazing. and my son respects him and has learned so much about himself from him. This is miraculous as my son had trust issues, and we never thought he'd open up, and absorb so much in a month of Sundays. The CBT has suited him perfectly. He's taken the bit in between his teeth and run with it to a point that he's showing interest in studying the process. This is amazing to us. The open aspect of Dara .. ie: phones when appropriate, and out side contact when not in sessions has been great, from our point of view, and for his too. It's enabled him to share in his development with family and friends. The excursions a lifeline to the outside that he's looked forward to, and has worked harder to make sure he gets on them! All the staff have been wonderful, from bottom to top. The schedule of work is intense - the down time nurturing and fun and safe - the food, accommodation and communication beyond good. My personal experience with admin has been that they are efficient, professional, amenable. I checked him in to Dara Koh Chang and was shown around and the place is lovely, clean, luxurious and a piece of peaceful heaven in which to aid recovery. We were collected from Trat Airport and taken to the Chanthaburi centre on the mainland, the day before arriving on Koh Chang, for him to be inducted into the programme, the staff were on point, helpful, not pushy when I had to make payment, and did all they could to make me feel relaxed. They fed me and transported me to my hotel, then came back the next day to take me and my son to the ferry and on to the Koh Chang facility. It's family and loved ones friendly - I didn't feel excluded in the short time I spent handing over my son into their care, in fact I felt that this effort by Dara made me even more positive that it was the right place for him to heal. And it has been - from start to finish. I have no complaints at all. I'd recommend Dara in a heart beat.

I am from the United States and my son Chris was suffering from Opiate abuse. He had previously attempted to receive help at various rehabs in the United States but unfortunately was unsuccessful. When he felt as though he was ready to try again, he and his girlfriend looked into different options outside of the United States for various reasons. First and foremost the cost for any rehab comparable to Dara in the US is astronomical, and second, most of the programs that were affordable did not fit his needs or had a long waiting list. After much research they decided that Dara Rebab in Thailand appealed to him. The different approaches as well as the diverse programs seemed interesting and challenging. When the idea was presented to me (his mom) I was totally apprehensive. The thought of sending my 25 year old my son to Thailand was terrifying to me on so many different levels! The fear of the unknown always is. I called and addressed these concerns and questions with the Senior Intake Coordinator. She was so totally understanding of my apprehension and took the time to answer all my questions and then some. The fact that she herself is from the US was also reassuring and supportive. I believe I called her many times following that initial phone call, and never once did I feel like I was a bother or asking questions that were "silly". I cant say enough about the administration personnel, they never made me feel pressured and they were exceptionally helpful. I was ALWAYS able to reach either one of them at any time day or night (which was very challenging being the time difference was 13 hours). Everything ran smooth from the time Chris was picked up at the airport and transferred to his destination for his stay at Dara, to his exit. Their ability to counsel and change with the situation at hand was done without making anyone feel uncomfortable or troublesome. The counseling he received was equally remarkable, Since Chris has been home, his counselor has reached out to him (and me) with concerns for him and offered Skype sessions if needed. I could go on and on but the bottom line is that I would highly recommend Dara. As anyone who has an issue of substance abuse knows, the decision of going to rehab is a very delicate and freighting one. I feel that Dara rehab was able to make these issues run smooth with the clients best interest in mind. The words genuine and caring come to mind when I think of the Dara Rehab experience my son was given. I am pleased to say that since Chris completed Dara's program for substance abuse approximately two months ago, he is still substance free. My hopes and prayers are he will remain substance fee as we all know this is a day to day struggle that will be with him forever. I will always be thankful to Dara for all of their help and support they gave to not only Chris, but also to my family. God Bless Them!

June and July 2015 I spent at Dara the clients were great, intelligent motivated and deeply sincere. The management and counsellors were the opposite frantically upholding their own jobs while forgetting to prepare for lectures, scrabbling to make ad hoc one on one sessions and endlessly push their own agenda. As I was informed on day one, addicts have low self esteem and big egos I didn't see that except with the counsellors. Classic narcissistic behavior. I wish I had never gone except for the clients and the lovely PT staff that made it bareable.

HELLO EVERYONE!! After my recent experience at DARA I thought I'd write an honest review! Ok so basically all I have to say is this: Upon arrival you can choose to go to Koh Chang (the island) or stay in chanthaburi. I decided to stay in chanthaburi because I wanted to 'focus' on myself and not get caught up in the crowds. About 90% of the ppl opt to go to Koh Chang, so I cannot speak for the treatment there, only for my experience in chanthaburi. First of all, I can say that the food was above average and there was never a point where you would go hungry. In between meals, there is communal food to eat, mainly ham and bread to make sandwiches etc. The accommodation was FAIR, however, it was really annoying trying to kill all the mozzies at night time, it felt like a never ending battle haha. Anyway, there is a structured schedule that they provide each client and the day is broken up in numerous activities, with plenty of 'homework' to do. One thing I was concerned about is that it took almost 2 weeks for my 'individual counselling sessions' to kick in, and when they finally kicked in (onoy has about 2 of these a week) it was more like an informal chat and quite unprofessional. I guess I was expecting something a little more structured instead of general chit chat and the counsellor (not going to name names, he's gone now anyway) basically seemed like he really did not care about me or my problems. I think he had his own issues to sort out to be honest. The experience would have been much better if there were decent counsellors who actually knew what they were doing. There were other staff there doing their internships who I wasn't a huge fan of. This is because I think this particular female staff member was always on a power trip, and there was a general consensus amongst the clients (including myself) that she was just plain rude. I don't know, maybe she got bullied in high school or something and that's why she ended up like that. Now on a good note there were some pretty cool staff there. Four were amazing. Also the PTs were really awesome guys! I really enjoyed hanging out with both of them and they made the experience enjoyable. I must say that like any business, money is a big thing with these guys and they will make sure that you have paid, there is nothing outstanding, and they will suggest that you stay longer in treatment to get 'the most' out of it. A few people told me that they offer a week trial for free and if you like it, then you have the option to stay. Obviously, ppl who make enquiries who are not fully convinced get these offers, so if youre keen as beans, they wont offer you this. So i'd recommend you enquire about that first. Finally, I want to say that I have honestly met some AMAZING ppl (clients) in DARA that are now lifelong friends, and the experience was definitely worth it just in meeting them. Obviously the place has it's flaws, but if you are on a budget, then I'd probably recommend it. That's all i've really got to say. And that is my honest to God review of this rehab centre. I can say that since I've been back home, I have not relapsed, and I am still in regular contact with the clients that I met at DARA. The choice is yours :)

My experience at DARA was life changing in more ways than just getting sober. Sure, this was the main reason I decided to embark on this journey, but what I found along the way is nothing short of a miracle. Drugs and Alcohol abuse take different tolls on addicts, but one thing we have in common is how your drug of choice warps the mind and your way of healthy thinking. I came to DARA looking for answers. Why am I an addict? Why am I so hopeless? Why can’t I stop? Why do I have such a low opinion of myself or why do I have low self-esteem? Through DARA’s group and one-on-one sessions I was able to find these answers and also answers to questions I hadn’t even thought of yet. The group sessions make me realize I’m not alone and my perception of myself is not how others perceive me. It’s the addict brain controlling these feelings and making me feel worthless. Being free of those demons is the greatest gift I’ve ever received! The program at DARA is very structured which is a testament to my successes towards recovery from alcohol and self-discovery. However, you get out of it what you put into it. DARA doesn’t simply give you a pill and a few days or weeks later you’re better. It doesn’t take a lot of effort but what it does take is for you to keep an open mind and be honest with yourself, your group, and the staff at DARA. Without accepting those principles you might as well stay home or look for other ways to seek help. But if you’re fully committed, DARA is definitely the place for you. It was for me and for that I owe DARA my life. Rehabilitation doesn’t have to be all work and no play. DARA’s schedule is very well balanced and offers plenty of time for Thai massages, meditation, exercise, weekend getaways to exotic places, and free time to just relax or reflect. Once I was fully emerged in the program I couldn’t wait to pop out of bed in the morning and start my day. Each day gave me something new and exciting which motivated me to put forth 100% towards the program. I am not getting paid or compensated to write this review. What I am getting out of it is the hope that at least one person will read this and get to experience what I’ve experienced and change their life forever. I will remember the clients, the staff, and my experience at DARA for the rest of my life. Thank you DARA for bringing me back to life. Special thanks to my counselor, for everything! She really made a huge difference in my life and for that I'm forever grateful. Michael

I came to DARA not knowing what to expect and in just the few days that I was there I felt myself being transformed --and I was not even a client there! Just a supporting wife of my husband (who was the client). DARA is going a great job and on woman in particular especially is a gifted healer. She connects with her clients, imparts the message of the program very well and overall makes the transition toward healing as painless as possible. She was compassionate and professional in helping me de-stress as well. Thank you!! Also a big thank you to another staff member who went out of her way to take us to the Market. It was very kind of her and much appreciated. Thank you!

The program and staff are wonderful. The grief therapy I had identified and calmed my fears. The CBT classes and Group Therapy sessions were especially informative and helped me change my thinking process. The small size of the group and the facilitation styles of the counselors certainly led clients to complete openness and honesty. I especially appreciated the individualized programming and having had a voice in how I wanted to work on my recovery. My counselor took my needs into careful consideration and tailored a treatment program that addressed both my alcoholism and my grief. She obviously cares for me and my progress as a person, and not just a number to churn through rehab.

I am forever grateful that I chose DARA for treatment for my addictions and for DARA providing me the tools that I lacked in order to lead a sober and happy life. I have never felt as strong and empowered to lead the life I've dreamed for. DARA exceeded my expectations in every way. DARA taught me to become accountable and responsible for my actions in a loving way. The level of professionalism displayed by all staff is exemplary. I am a professional who has been fortunate to travel extensively and I had high expectations. I would have paid a lot more now that I know what a fantastic and effective facility this is. I will recommend DARA as a treatment to anyone I meet who seeking help for their addiction(s).

food, environment, staff were all strengths. perhaps counselor/client ratio could be improved. It was a good environment that helped me to learn more about myself while dealing with addictive behavior and learning to modify my behavior through cognitive behavioral therapy.

As of this writing, I am ​156 days clean and have returned to DARA for my refresher program after ​having ​being in treatment at DARA ​for 9 weeks late last year.​ So, ​I came to DARA following 10 years in active addiction with illegal and controlled substances​;​ a 6 month spiral with a cocktail of drugs and alcohol abuse; and hitting a rock bottom after a suicide attempt. I was als​​o formally diagnosed with ADHD and Bi-Polar II disorder which I had been questioning due to my addictive state and circumstances at the time of diagnosis. ​​Having been through the DARA program, ​I will be categorizing my review as follows:​ ​Program I found the program at DARA to be very helpful for me. The structure from the morning until the afternoon is what I had been lacking for quite some time, and gave me a feeling of purpose and motivation in my recovery. There was also just enough personal time to myself in order to reflect on my situation and get to know my peers. ​​Group therapy​ and Psycho-educationa groups​ Group therapy in DARA was one of the core aspects that aided in my recovery process. It was in group therapy that I began to explore myself while gaining a sense of being understood and understanding with my peers and counsellors. Psycho-educational groups i.e. topic groups Before coming to DARA and attending these groups I really had no idea what addiction meant to me. It was in these groups that I learnt about addiction and how to stay clean. ​Work with my Counselor and Clinical Team:​ My counsellor went above and beyond her call of duty and made me feel as though she genuinely cared about me as a person. I felt as though she was able to put into words what I could not express myself and gave me many ways to target and work on my barriers. She helped me challenge the diagnoses I came into DARA with. She escorted me to Manarom hospital in Bangkok 3 times to see a psychiatrist there, and put together a case for me by having my medical records sent over from Australia. She was very thorough in her analysis of my diagnoses and case against their validity; and as hoped my diagnoses were fully dismissed. In addition we worked on my self-esteem, depression, constructed a relapse prevention plan and recovery plan. The clinical team provided professional support and great insight into my addiction and recovery process. Food and accommodation The food in DARA was delicious. Ranging greatly form meal to meal I always looked forward to eating. Accommodation is second to none. I stayed in both Koh Chang and Chanthaburi and loved my villa and room, it definitely is comparable to staying in a resort or a 5 star hotel. Daily cleaning of my living space as well as having my laundry done for me was also a pleasure and one less thing that I had to worry about. ​​DARA Family online network​ and Aftercare Support Since leaving DARA I have been in touch with Gem and have felt supported and connected throughout my whole process up until now. ​I am also still in touch through online media with my peers. FINAL THOUGHTS DARA ​is without a doubt the reason why I ​am able to remain clean after discharge. I walked away with knowledge, support, friends for life, and a motivation to work on myself in a way that I did not think was possible before. I don't even have the words to express how much my time at DARA means to me in my life; and I will forever be thankful for the opportunity to begin my recovery with the DARA family.

Bangkok April 12, 2016 """""""""A journey to Dara Rehab Koh Chang and how to get to go to SHANGRILA ( not the hotel chain ) or paradise and get back with a revised mind"""""" In January this year 4 great friends invited me to go on a journey to paradise. That was to go to rehab for my identified clinical depression and the increased alcohol this had led to. A tough facing of reality but that's what your best friends are for. They told me that they had consulted with the "unfriendly devil" but that he was against the journey as he wanted to keep me in his control. Clever as these friends are they had however also consulted with my designated lead Doctor - an extraordinary well educated and accomplished Professor of Neurology at one of Thailand's best university hospitals - Siriraj, as well as a psychiatrist at the top end private Thonburi hospital. There are many top quality private hospitals in Bangkok but I personally rank Thonburi as the best both for experience of the medical team but also as very cost / benefit effective After living for over 25 years in SEAsia I was fully aware of the very high level of advanced medical care available at very reasonable cost. But mental health is not as well understood as in other parts of the world. So I was somewhat skeptical and thinking of Betty Ford was obviously not on the financial menu. I did substantial research and reference checks on Dara and on the background and education of the counselling team as well as the medical support, and was totally convinced that I had found the key to Pandora's box - but still a bit anxious to commit. Well I did initially arrange a 4 week stay - and when those weeks were about to expire, extended for 2 more weeks and then 2 more weeks - all in all 8 weeks of fantastic professional treatments in all respects. I could have stayed forever but life outside this sanctuary was calling. The quality of treatment was astounding - with a wide variety of topics covered in lectures as well as group interaction - all very relevant - the 2 that I personally appreciated the most were the CBT ( cognitive behavior theory ) and relapse prevention discussions. Relapse is a major challenge and Dara's approach to making this clear and transparent was fantastic. But what of course made this all work was the personal assigned key counselor that would meet with the client ( the Dara designation instead of patient ) 2-3 times or more per week in private sessions and be available at all times when needed. That said all other counsellors were approachable and extraordinarily helpful - one never needed to make appointments just approach in passing and get a 5 minute check in and or a time to meet up if more time was needed. For me personally the openness of Dara to support my wish to try to get off anti-depressant medication as well as anxiety medication was a key benefit I did not anticipate. This wish was clearly supported by my Neurologist and he told me that doing it in the Dara safety environment would be much more beneficial to me than doing it as an outpatient back home. It worked very well and in a fully controlled "tapering off trial" I said goodbye to two powerful medications that I hope never to meet or need again. I obviously also said good bye to the alcohol challenge. However The most mind changing experience to me at Dara was working on the concept of mindful behavior and thinking. It may be unfair to mention any of the top team by name but so be it - my warmest thanks to Khun Nath for his many hours of guidance and vision providing me with an inner strength I knew I had but could not always find. Khun Nath helped me find the way. And yes so did my fantastic key counselor and the Counselling Director who on several occasions guided me in so many ways and always with compassion and care and did this without any scheduled sessions - simply observing my progress. On a final note THE SUPPORT TEAM IS FANTASTIC - reception - food - fitness - yoga - meditation and good fun are all delivered and available. Accommodation is very very nice in individual cabins ranging from shared via single to top of the line private pool villas. Again food is amazing and deserves a special mention - I gained 5 healthy kilos in 8 weeks and transferred most of that to muscle and brain mass. And not to mention COST - there is absolutely no reasonable way to compare Dara's very attractive pricing with other global options - it is a simple no brainer for your calculator. Former adjunct professor in marketing Thammasat Univetsity business school MIM program Goodwill Ambassador for Copenhagen

I find it interesting that all the recent reviews of Dara at the top of these lists are right above the one that the "Management" put up to note that they were being attacked by an online smear campaign. All the recent ones are in the last couple weeks, funny that all the negative ones were weeks apart and all the new "positive" ones are on the same day or at least in the same week. Scroll down and don’t just read the first few. I was a client at Dara on Koh Chang, or should I call myself a revenue source which is how they treated me, I hadn’t arrived 5 minutes and it was immediately, “how are you going to pay your bill? “Credit card machine is waiting”, we tried to pay with my credit card and it was declined, I hadn’t informed my bank that I was traveling overseas. They pretty much treated me like a criminal and wouldn’t let me leave the office until I had called my bank and ran the card again to pay my bill, this is after 36 hours of traveling to get there. All I wanted to do was go to bed, after that it all went down hill from there. I only stayed 2 weeks. All the staff couldn’t care less about you after you pay your bill. Rooms are nice but thats about the only positive thing I can say. If you want to get clean I suggest giving this place a miss, there has to be better places with people who actually care about you and not only if your credit card will clear.