1. Do you accept anyone on the TARA Detox program?
2. What do you mean by ‘Total Abstinence’ program?
3. How does the assessment process work?
4. If I pay in full but then cancel can I expect a refund?
5. Do I have to eat Thai food?
6. How long will I be away from home?
7. Is the course restricted to males?
8. Will I allowed out during the Thamkrabok treatment course?
9. What nationalities attend the courses?
10. What is your definition of ‘drugs’?
11. What is included in the TARA Detox program?
12. What isn't included in the TARA Detox program?
13. How is TARA Detox different from East West Detox or other organisations, have you copied their program?
14. How different are the costs from other organisations?
15. Is any of your work accredited?
16. What therapeutic interventions do you use pre and post detox?
17. What medical support do you use in this country and do you link in with the four way agreement?
18. Is TARA Detox duplicating what is already available or is it different in some way?
19. What if I have further questions?

Do you accept anyone on the TARA Detox program?

• No. 

Before you apply to join a TARA Detox program you must ask yourself 2 questions: -

(1)  Do I want to travel to Thamkrabok voluntarily, completely of my own choice?

(2)  Do I really want to stop taking drugs/alcohol?

• If you cannot honestly say ”YES” without hesitation to both questions, then it is better that you wait until you are serious about getting well. 

As one monk famously said “We want only warriors… victims need not apply”.

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What do you mean by ‘Total Abstinence’ program?

All drug addicts and alcoholics must take a Sajja, (that is to make a vow), not to use or be involved with drugs in any way for the rest of their lives.

Alcoholics must take a further Sajja not to consume alcohol ever again.  Thus, alcoholics commit themselves never to use drugs or consume alcohol for the rest of their lives.  This is a requirement of the Thamkrabok Monastery before treatment.

‘TARA Detox’ embraces the Five Precepts of Buddhism as a central part of it’s core values. The 5th Precept advises:

I undertake... to refrain from intoxicating drinks and drugs which lead to carelessness.

It is a condition of participation on a TARA Detox program that drug addicts must take the additional Sajja not to consume alcohol after treatment at Thamkrabok for a period of not less than 1 year.  This is a compulsory requirement and is not negotiable.

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How does the assessment process work?

• We will meet face to face for initial processing and assessment interview(s).  If we agree to work together then treatment preparation and briefing sessions can begin.

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If I pay in full but then cancel can I expect a refund?

• Refunds vary dependent upon many factors and range from 25% to 90%.

In any event, any portion of the advanced payment relating to the cost of air travel cannot be refunded after the flights have been booked.

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Do I have to eat Thai food?

• The canteen provides a wide range of food, catering for both Thai clients and non-Thai clients.  Some 'western' style food is available.

TARA Detox will provide fresh fruit on a daily basis.

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How long will I be away from home?

• Approximately 21 days depending on flight availability and your response to treatment.

Longer or shorter ad-hoc detox trips may be possible under appropriate circumstances.

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Is the course restricted to males?

• No.  Female addicts are also welcomed.

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Will I allowed out during the Thamkrabok treatment course?

• No.  You are required to remain within the confines of ‘The Hey’ (the Thamkrabok Monastery treatment compound) for the duration of your stay.

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What nationalities attend the courses?

• All nationalities are welcome at Thamkrabok. You are expected to respect their customs and traditions - as they will yours.

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What is your definition of ‘drugs’?

• For the purposes of treatment at the Thamkrabok Monastery the definition is:

All known harmful, addictive, and certain prescription drugs.

Alcohol is considered independent of ‘drugs’ and requires a separate Sajja.

Participation in the TARA Detox program requires TOTAL ABSTINENCE:

"To undertake to refrain from taking intoxicating drinks and drugs which lead to carelessness".

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What is included in the TARA Detox program?

• Initial processing and assessment interview(s). Treatment preparation and briefing sessions.
• Counselling (face to face and/or by telephone) before and after detoxification in Thailand.
• Acudetox sessions, before and after detoxification, if and as appropriate.
• Instruction in Anapanasati (breathing with mindfulness) meditation practice.
• Fully escorted return travel from London Heathrow to the Thamkrabok Monastery in Thailand (including all overseas transfers).
• 21 days accommodation, food and treatment (including a donation to the Thamkrabok Monastery).
• Services of a TARA representative throughout the treatment program in Thailand.

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What isn't included in the TARA Detox program?

• Travel insurance.
• Vaccinations.
• Thai massage sessions if requested.

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How is TARA Detox different from East West Detox or other organisations; have you copied their program?

The common aspect to all these programs is, of course, detoxification at the THAMKRABOK Monastery in Thailand.  However, that is where any similarities end:-

• The TARA Detox approach to addiction uses Buddhist precepts and principles as motivators for change; and I actively promote the Thamkrabok Monastery’s concept and practice of Sajja as a tool for relapse prevention.
• The TARA Detox program does NOT embrace any western model of addiction and so may be considered by some as unorthodox.
• The program requires total abstinence: "To undertake to refrain from taking intoxicating drinks and drugs which lead to carelessness".
• The programs will be tailor made to the individual needs.
• The program can include Acudetox (Auricular Acupuncture - NADAUK protocol).
• The program can include Anapanasati meditation ("Breathing-in, breathing-out with mindfulness").
• The program can include counselling sessions if appropriate.
• A very important difference is that the TARA Detox program is not limited to methadone addicts. The program is designed to tackle ALL addictions from a Buddhist perspective irrespective of the substance involved.

For clarity it should be noted that the Thamkrabok Independent Information Network and TARA Detox Organisation are two separate projects independent of each other.  Either project can stand on its own merits.

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How different are the costs from other organisations?

• The fee for an complete TARA Detox program is between £3500 to £4500 depending upon the cost of air travel and length of treatment.  I can only offer 3 (three) COMPLETE programs each year because of my full-time job, therefore this cost is subsidised to some degree because I do not make my living from this work.  As I do not rely upon the income, if any, from this service I am not under any pressure, financial or otherwise, to accept addicts who are not yet ready for treatment. The TARA Detox program is unique and cannot be considered to be in "competition" with any existing services for clients. Consequently, I feel I will not compromise our clients, the Thamkrabok Monastery or myself.

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Is any of your work accredited?

• Our program has been endorsed by the Abbott of Thamkrabok.
• Following Vince’s resignation from East West Detox, the Abbott of Thamkrabok said "Try to help addicts in your own way... prepare them for their journey and treatment". To this end the Thamkrabok Independent Information Network was created.  This website provides a great deal of unbiased information that is known to be helping addicts to get safely to the Monastery. 
• For those people unable to make the journey alone, the Thamkrabok Independent Information Network website contains links to agencies that can facilitate detox treatment at Thamkrabok Monastery. 
• The TARA Detox Organisation  (originally TARA UK) was created to offer a Buddhist based detox service that was not previously available.

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What therapeutic interventions do you use pre and post detox?

Our approach to addiction uses Buddhist precepts and principles as motivators for change; and we actively promote the Thamkrabok Monastery’s concept and practice of Sajja as a tool for relapse prevention.

Other interventions will be determined by individual needs, as appropriate. If an individual needs acudetox and/or anapanasati meditation then these are available. If an individual only wants reassurance about treatment at Thamkrabok then that's OK as well.

• I see ANAPANSATI meditation practice as a key tool to a successful detox and relapse prevention.  I encourage mediation before, during and after the TARA Detox program.

• ACUDETOX can greatly reduce withdrawal pains and reduce cravings and is used extensively to support relapse prevention. I have discussed the use of this treatment with the Abbott of Thamkrabok who has said that it is acceptable to use before and after Thamkrabok detox but not during, as it might interfere with the Thamkrabok process.

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What medical support do you use in this country and do you link in with the four way agreement (4WA)?

• Addicts must have a 'clean' bill of health and 'permission to travel' from their GP.

I do not believe it is necessary, at this point in time, to formally link in with the 4WA however this may be reviewed in the future.

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Is TARA Detox duplicating what is already available or is it different in some way?

• I believe that the TARA project is unique and no duplication exists.

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What if I have further questions?

• Contact TARA Detox by either telephone or e-mail and your questions will be answered.

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Clean Body With Herbs... Clean Mind With Sajja