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ABOUT SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND DETOXIFICATION
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Substance abuse
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The reasons why people start to abuse substances may be many,
such as curiosity, peer pressure, boredom, the lack of self-confidence
or even a secret spiritual longing. Nevertheless, substance
abuse can generally be considered as a symptom of a conscious
or unconscious deep crisis in one's life. Alcohol and drugs
cover the existential frustration and the anxiety that are linked
with it. Moreover, most of the drugs poison the body and create
psychological and/or physical dependency.
Long term drug abuse doesn't only lead to serious problems of
one's health, it also very often leads to a decay of one's character:
will power, sincerity, integrity and self-esteem are little
by little sacrificed. One starts to nourish darkness instead
of one's Inner Light.
This inner misery then requires an increased "anesthesia"
through drugs. After some time one finds oneself hopelessly
caught in a self-destructive vicious circle. |
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Detoxification
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| Drug detoxification means two things: |
| A) |
To withdraw the poisons from one's body. |
| B) |
To withdraw one's soul from the ghetto of darkness.
This process starts as soon as one stops nourishing darkness
with thought, speech, language and bodily actions and as soon
as one begins to nourish what is good and lightful, with thoughts,
speech, language and bodily actions. |
| Drug-treatment thus basically requires four components: |
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1. |
The total detoxification of the body. |
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2. |
The mental confrontation with oneself and one's situation,
which can lead to fundamental life changes. |
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3. |
Tools to build up one's will power. |
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4. |
The insight, that the search and the realization of one's
"life-task" will be a long-term effort. In order to
live a satisfying life, it needs more than a "struggle
against" (drugs); it needs a positive aim! As soon as one
has found one's constructive "life-task", as well
as the will power to realize it, drugs will not be necessary
anymore. |
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What Thamkrabok offers:
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| 1. |
Detoxification of the body |
| 2. |
Support in the process of the "mental detoxification": |
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- the "satja", a vow
- the "kahtah", a tool to build up one's will power
- basic instruction for meditation, providing tranquility
and fortification
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| 3 |
A special location, far away from one's familiar surroundings. |
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One's own responsibility
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| In Buddhism we believe that one is totally responsible for
one's actions and their consequences. According to Luangpaw
Charoen, the physical detoxification is only 5% of the healing
process. The client must do himself the remaining 95%. Therefore
he must get the chance of confronting himself, in order to reorganize
his life. This is one of the reasons why the withdrawal in Thamkrabok
is a "cold withdrawal". The medicine is very effective,
but the forbearance and the endurance of the client are challenged!
The path often leads through the building up of one's will power.
After some time of serious practice, the insight about what
to do in life may appear spontaneously. This is the decisive
thing. If you don't use the potential that is inside you in
a good way, it will become destructive. |
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'Back home' again
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The client should not forget to think about what he will
do after having returned home:
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What will he do, in order to lead a fulfilling life? |
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Where, with whom and in what neighborhood will he live? |
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How will he find a group of people with a constructive attitude,
which will support his stability and his inner growth? |
ELEMENTS OF THE TREATMENT
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The "SATJA" and the "KAHTAH"
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If you want to enter the drug-detox area and start with the
purification of your body, you will have to go through the
ceremony of SATJA. The Satja is a very essential element
here in Thamkrabok. The Satja sounds like a vow. But it is
far more that just a promise "to be a good guy"
or "a good girl" from now on, having nothing to
do anymore with consuming or promoting alcohol or other drugs.
Satja is a solemn declaration about a truth that one will
put into reality by one's action.
Satja is a sacred act that if you believe in it will connect
you with your will power and with something "beyond"
that Luangpaw Charoen has called "the whisper of God".
The Satja is a very powerful tool if you decide to use it.
It is like a car that will lead you to your ultimate goal.
It will be a spirituatl "container" that will guide,
protect and save you.
Breaking a satja is considered a very serious thing.
So think well, before you decide to take Satja!
If you want, you can get a little paper with a 'sacred word'
after the first phase of your treatment. It is called 'KAHTAH'.
Its syllables have no intellectual meaning, their function
is purely energetic. You may learn them by heart, then eat
the paper after 7 days. You can use it as a 'snow-plough'
to keep your 'road' clean. Repeat it constantly when you meditate,
when you need endurance and strength, or in moments of craving
and temptation. Repeat it in moments of danger! You can also
bless your food, saying it silently. If you use this very
powerful tool well, it will grow and become an effective help
in your life.
They say that it will become like a tree, where you can hide,
even when a tiger is roaming around, looking for prey.
Notice: The Satja is there for everybody. It is not limited
to any specific religion or belief-system.
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Satja
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The physical detoxification
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The physical detoxification requires the following
elements:
1. A strong herbal medicine and vomiting: |
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Luang Paw Yaai, the holy woman of Thamkrabok, has developed
the rather disgusting, but very effective potion you will have
to take at least 5 days early in the morning or in the afternoon. |
| 2. The black pills |
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The herbal pills are another element of purification.
According to the constitution of the client, they produce an
energizing or a relaxing effect. |
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Notice: |
During the detox-process no other kind of medicine is allowed.
It would disturb the procedure of detoxification. |
| 3. The tea and the steam-bath |
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The tea you get before the steam bath has a purifying effect
and can be taken all day long. Like the vomiting, the steam
bath is a classical element of physical purification.
The herbs that are added to the steam are exceptionally good
for the skin, the lungs and the eyes. |
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To prepare and to take the
medicine
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| 4. Further options: |
| MEDITATION: |
Basic instructions, how to meditate, are given on request.
There is a meditation in the compound once a day in the later
afternoon. |
| MASSAGE: |
Traditional Thai massage is available on request. |
| CHANTING: |
The chanting of the monks and nuns takes place every evening
at 6.30 p.m. Everybody is cordially welcome. |
| WORKING: |
Work is important here, living in community. It trains concentraton
and endurance. It keeps your energy flowing, builds up your
resistence and prevents boredom. It makes you feel satisfied
and helps you sleep well. |
| MEDICAL CARE: |
In case of illness or accident, traditional natural medicine
is available in the monastery. A medical doctor visits Thamkrabok
every two weeks. There are hospitals in Saraburi, Lopburi and
Phraputthabat. To get to the nearest one takes five minutes
by car or by ambulance.
In hot countries, one should make the soap ones close friend;
the slightest scratch or wound should immediately be desinfected
and covered with a plaster. |
| Notice: Thamkrabok is not a Malaria area. |
SUITABILITY, DURATION AND FEES OF THE TREATMENT
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The detoxification at Thamkrabok is suitable for teenagers
and adults with problems of alcohol and drug abuse.
The treatment is not recommendable during pregnancy and after
recent surgery.
The clients should chose to go through this cure by their
own will and in full responsibility for themselves and their
actions.
Thamkrabok has the right of refusal and of dismissal of the
client.
The patient should have full insurance coverage and enough
cash in order to pay unexpected expenses, such as the costs
for the visit in a hospital or at the dentist's.
The minimal duration for the detoxification cure is 10 days.
The maximal stay in Thamkrabok is one month.
During the time of the cure, the client has to live inside
the compound of the detox center.
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| Remarks: |
1. |
Drug substitutes, like methadone and subutex require a far
longer time for detoxification than one month. There is usually
a very long period of sleeplessness. Methadone should slowly
have been reduced down to about 5 ml before coming to Thamkrabok.
The withdrawal pains from methadone can be severe, thus another
extraordinary challenge for the client.
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2. |
Tranquilizers, like Valium may produce unexpected epileptic
episodes during the period of withdrawal. |
The treatment and the accommodation in the monastery are free.
The client has to pay for his food (Costs: 100-150 Baht per
day, for three meals).
As the monastery lives on donations only, donations are very
welcome. They may be put in one of the donation-boxes or be
given directly to the abbot. |
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and Journey
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