The 7 Best Countries In The World To See For People In Addiction Recovery
Addiction recovery is essential for individuals struggling with addiction – also known as a substance use disorder.
Author:Maya ReyesReviewer:Finn WildeJul 01, 202519 Shares2K Views
Addiction recovery is essential for individuals struggling with addiction – also known as a substance use disorder.
During addiction recovery, no matter the substance or behaviour that the individual is recovering from, individuals will learn vital coping skills and techniques to overcome the effects of their addiction, as well as avoiding relapse in the future.
Addiction recovery can take many forms such as inpatient recovery (within an addiction treatment clinic) or outpatient recovery (rehabilitation partaken in on a more part-time basis), but it is vital that individuals choose the right type of programme for them and their specific needs.
Why Could It Important For People In Addiction Recovery To Travel?
This article will focus on individuals who are in the process of experiencing addiction recovery and how it may be important for them to experience travel abroad which can be for a number of reasons.
Though some individuals may need to travel for access to rehabilitation and other similar services (1), this article focusses on travel abroad rather than within their own home country.
The following subheadings outline two of the key reasons why it may be important for these individuals to travel abroad to see new countries, though there are many further reasons that are not listed but still just as important.
1. New Environment
For an individual, whether progressing with addiction recovery or not, it is important to travel, experience new cultures, and to see more of the world.
Depending on the individual’s drug rehabilitation programme, it may not always be suitable to travel during treatment, but there are many opportunities for these individuals to travel after they have finished their treatment programmes.
Gaining these new experiences of cultures other than their own may give new insights into the future of their recovery, and they may also gain new appreciation for things – either that they had lost before or for new experiences and activities.
2. Addiction Recovery Experiences
In addition to general new experiences, travelling to and seeing new types of addiction recovery within these different countries can be especially for individuals who have experienced different types of rehabilitation.
For example, individuals may find that different countries have different approaches to drug rehabilitation, or perhaps that they have different styles of treatment that they may feel is appropriate for them.
During a trip abroad, an individual may have the opportunity to directly experience these different types of rehabilitation, but it is important to note that attending rehabilitation abroad – either inpatient or outpatient – is a big commitment and can require a lot more logistical struggles and big changes to the individual’s life.
This is not always recommended due to the different effects that it may have on the individual and their addiction but is always something that an individual should discuss with a specialist in order to ascertain the suitability of.
The 7 Best Countries In The World To See For Addiction Recovery
The remainder of this article lists the top 7 countries that individuals should consider visiting if they are looking for potential suggestions for addiction recovery experiences.
This list is not definitive, meaning that these are not the only countries that are recommended, but these are some of the most interesting and inspiring countries to visit if the individual is or has experienced addiction recovery in their life.
1. The United Kingdom
If the individual reading is not already residing in the United Kingdom (UK), then it is definitely worth visiting in order to see how some rehabilitation programmes have been inspired from around the world.
For example, many programmes in the UK take a holistic approach to care, meaning that many different disciplines from around the world are combined into ‘single’ treatment practises.
This means that an individual could receive experience a variety of different treatment programmes while only attending one centre, for example, as well as there being many different regionsacross the country with different landscapes, environments, and cultures.
2. The United States
It is often considered that popular rehabilitation practices such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) originated in the United States (US), meaning that this could be the country to have the most experience in private addiction treatment programmesinvolving this technique.
Though the US healthcare system may limit some of the healthcare services that individuals are able to access, this means that local programmes and service providers are often far more common.
This means that individuals often have to travel far less distance to access specific services and can boost the ‘community feel’ of many programmes, often leading to greater adherence to recovery programmes and rehabilitation in general.
3. Portugal
In an attempt to support its’ populations struggles with alcohol and other drugs, Portugalchanged its laws surrounding low-level drug use and legalisation of specific substances alongside the increased attention to drug rehabilitation and support within the country.
Often referred to as targeting addiction itself and not just the individuals who are struggling with addiction, this drive has been a great success in most areas.
Studies have shown that this programme is decreasing prevalence of health episodes such as heroin and cocaine related seizures, reducing incidences of addiction within the HIV community, and lowering the numbers of those entering drug rehabilitation treatment (2).
4. Switzerland
Compared to other countries, Switzerland is knownto have a strong healthcare system, as well as prioritising the individuals struggling with addiction rather than punishing them for engaging in drug-taking behaviours.
Specifically, Switzerland has been credited with the implementation of programmes such as heroin assisted therapy (HAT), in which individuals are given injections to help them slowly transition away from heroin and toward an addiction-free lifestyle in the future (3).
5. Thailand
Thailand is a country that, for those considering attending rehabilitation abroad, may be a beneficial option.
This is due to the unique approach that many Thai rehab centrestake, as well as the carry-on approach that is applied in outpatient treatment, too.
In general, rehabilitation programmes in this country have a strong focus on meditation and spirituality, encouraging the individual to seek support from within and build on their own personal skill set rather than making drastic and sometimes unsettling approaches that can be strange to many individuals.
6. Bali
In addition, this country is also included in this list as it is often cited as one of the most relaxing areas in the world for a general holiday – something that individuals who have attended and completed drug rehabilitation often need or deserve.
7. France
As with Bali, France is another popular locationfor a general holiday or to unwind after a long recovery programme.
Within the country, there are countless different types of holiday or travels that an individual can partake in. The south of France, for example, often has pleasant summers and a very laid-back approach to life, whereas further north individuals may be able to partake in a variety of different activitiessuch as skiing.
Seeking Help For Addiction Recovery Today
No matter where you are in the world, getting help for addiction is recommended as soon as possible.
Speak to medical professionals today or addiction referral specialists to find out more.
Sources
[1] Allen, S., Ruiz, M. and O’Rourke, A., 2015. How far will they go?: assessing the travel distance of current and former drug users to access harm reduction services. Harm reduction journal, 12, pp.1-4.
[2] Félix, S., Portugal, P. and Tavares, A., 2017. Going after the addiction, not the addicted: The impact of drug decriminalization in Portugal (No. 10895). IZA Discussion Papers.
[3] Reuter, P. and Schnoz, D., 2009. Assessing drug problems and policies in Switzerland, 1998-2007. Swiss Federal Office of Public Health.
Maya Reyes
Author
Maya Reyes’s wanderlust was sparked in the temples of Luang Prabang, where the scent of lemongrass and the chants of monks revealed the transformative power of travel.
Since then, her journey has been defined by cultural immersion and authentic connections. From learning batik in Indonesia to sharing meals with nomadic families in Mongolia, Maya seeks experiences that highlight the human stories behind each destination.
Travel for her is a way to weave her narrative into the world’s cultural tapestry, creating bridges across diverse ways of life. Maya has traveled to 15 countries and shares her insights through writing and storytelling.
Finn Wilde
Reviewer
For Finn Wilde, the wilderness is more than just a destination - it’s a way of life. Over the past decade, he has led multiple expeditions in some of the world’s most remote regions, from the icy fjords of Greenland to the rugged trails of Patagonia.
Finn emphasizes sustainability in all of his adventures, helping participants connect with nature while promoting responsible exploration. His expeditions inspire individuals to explore the great outdoors while fostering a deep respect for the environment.
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