It was December 2019 after my birthday, and my girlfriend at the time bought me over from Koh Samui for a short weekend with another couple of friends in Koh Phangan. The couple who was with us knew Koh Phangan well and chose Loyfa Natural Resort for us. The Loyfa brand is recognized as one of the original families on Koh Phangan, and their resort, hand-built over 2 generations, is a gorgeous site partly within the jungle, and alongside a stunning private beach. It was so beautiful, and I stayed in a room with a huge pool outside that seemed to kiss the sea.
On the first evening, we went to a Buddhist sauna, which contained secret herbs designed to detoxify the body. It was so refreshing I went twice. I felt an overwhelming sense that David (the owner) was playing his Tibetan instruments just for us as I lay down and gazed at the stars. A sense of pleasure overwhelmed me.
The next morning, I awoke in front of the gentle waves from the sea and so I went out for a little walk. I felt a feeling that this was where I needed to be. I told my girlfriend that I feel this place is calling for me. She laughed and told me, What are you going to do here? Your offices are in Herzliya, (Israel). I said I don’t know. Just feels like I have to stay here. For a long time, I had wanted to make some massive life changes, thinking that as a successful businessman with one of my main offices in Sri Lanka I considered if I might stay here and remotely run my businesses.
I went back to my bungalow and the other couple who were with us began chatting. I shared with them my feelings, including my further spiritual awakening and that I feel like I must stay here. They told me of their own spiritual experience the night before, and how after returning from the sauna they came to their room and poured wine for themselves but couldn’t drink it because of a sensation they were experiencing. They felt too purified, and they didn’t want to dirty their bodies or their feelings.
My immediate thought was the creation of a holistic healing rehab center, with a sauna to aid in physical detoxification. I shared it with them, and they agreed it was a wonderful idea. But he said there is a Monk on the island that everyone consults on such matters of healing. They suggested I have a chat with him. I suddenly felt a sharp sensation in my gut and knew I had to meet this monk. I told my friend to arrange a meeting for me with this monk, and due to this feeling in my stomach, I encouraged him with great urgency. But he replied that it was not easy to book an appointment with this Monk because he was the spiritual father of Koh Phangan, and he was always very busy. It would likely take him two to three weeks just to have a primary conversation. But I urged my friend to make it happen as soon as he could. He promised me he would set up a meeting for us.
In the meantime, I had to find a Villa, or a resort, with 10 or more rooms, to open a rehab centre. So, with my girlfriend, we headed up the hill towards the Loyfa reception to check out, with plans to return to Samui. When I got to the reception on the left, I saw a monk standing. I ran over to my friend and asked if it was the same monk he had been referring to. Indeed, it was, he confirmed.
I went over to the monk and introduced myself, explaining that I am a businessman from Israel, and I thought about starting a spiritual-based business here and was advised to consult with you first. I was also told it would take two to three weeks to meet you, but my God sent you within 10 minutes. The monk burst out laughing and asked me what businesses were thinking about.
I answered a spiritual centre for the treatment of addictions. He nodded his head and told me that someone sane had finally arrived on the island. Let’s sit down and talk he suggested. I replied that I was in a hurry for the ferry to Koh Samui but promised to come back in 2 days. He gave me his Teflon and we arranged to meet in 2 days. Two days later I did return to the island, this time alone. I called and he invited me to his temple.
We sat for many hours straight and I told him about my addiction, my recovery, and my businesses. We talked for over 4 hours crying and laughing together. Over four hours later he asked me to come back the next day. So I returned again and once again we sat for many more hours crying and laughing. He told me about his journey as a businessman in Switzerland and how he came to be a monk after a few hours of conversation. He asked me if it was possible to hug me. And I replied Yes, of course. We hugged and he told me that he had been waiting for 4 years for me to come to the island. I was shocked as he told me that he believed very much in my project, before even knowing what it looked like or how it would work.
He asked me if the Loyfa resort I had stayed at was a good place for my project. I answered surely this is one of the most beautiful places in the world. He smiled and told me that it now was mine. I was astounded! And if you don’t believe me, he said, I called you to come again today because I have already spoken to my lawyer to transfer my resort to your name.
I was moved and burst into tears. I didn’t even know he owned the beautiful Loyfa resort, and here he is gifting it to me for our holistic healing addiction rehab project. Why would you do that? I asked him. You have a profitable resort that provides you with a few million, so why would you risk it for my project that is not sure to succeed? He answered me with a rolling laugh.
Yossi I’m a monk I don’t even have 100 baht to buy food. I get up every day at 4 am and walk barefoot in meditation. I eat the one meal a day that I’m provided with each day. What will I do with the money? I’m not allowed to do business as a monk, and I was always waiting for someone I could trust to arrive and make something positive. Now that you have arrived with your beautiful spiritual project, I believe in it, and I believe in you. I want you to take my resort and make it your spiritual centre. I don’t need money. I will sleep with the monks in the temple on a mattress. I have nothing to do with money. I believe in your cause and I will accompany you immediately.
So, I left and returned to Israel, where I sold most of my property. |I transferred my company to my CEO and I returned to Thailand and so together we established the Holina Spiritual Centre, to become one of the healthiest and happiest empowerment and care centres in Thailand.
Holina’s holistic approach brings to life a broad and healthy view that meets the 6 primary human needs – certainty, significance, variety, love/connection, growth and contribution.
At Holina, we use this framework to provide a solution to the full range of addictive symptoms, while investing in the most beautiful location for recovery you’re likely to find in Asia and beyond. with the highest quality and prestigious facilities available.
We have a wide selection of accommodation options available when you stay at Holina Rehab, Koh Phangan. We believe your environment and the people around you can make a big difference in your treatment and your overall well-being.
Please enquire about the pricing structure of 24/7 medically managed detox, supervised by Doctors and nurses, licensed as an inpatient hospital on the contact form below.
If the substances you consume, or your behaviour or attitude is getting you into trouble or having a negative impact on your life, The River Rehab may be an important option for you to consider. Not only will we provide you with the tools that you need, but we will also give you access to customized levels of treatment that will enable you to literally reinvent your life.
We treat the disease of addiction, which incorporates all substance dependencies, including alcohol, cocaine, crack, crystal meth, ketamine, heroin, methadone, Subutex, morphine, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, psychedelics, ecstasy, solvents, and legal (prescribed) medication addictions, as well as other process and behavior addictions such as sex, love, gaming, gambling, internet or technologies, shopping, food, exercise and co-dependency. We believe that addiction is a disease of the mind, from which we can recover, one day at a time.
We are a residential rehab experience, with a minimum of one month commitment. People are not permitted to come by and visit or look around unless an appointment has been made. This is to protect the privacy and the space for our residents and to keep them safe. We are not a day care facility or outpatient service. We only serve those people looking for a fully immersive experience.
Our minimum commitment is 4 weeks. Even considering that it’s possible to overcome an addiction with any long-lasting effect for any shorter period is simply unrealistic, and likely unethical. Whilst our minimum commitment is 4 weeks, many, probably most of our residents stay 6 to 8 weeks and some up to 12 weeks (the full program length).
We will discourage this until after week 9. Whilst it may be nice to think that your family are supportive and want to encourage you, it’s a huge distraction from treatment for the individual, and our collective observations (in other facilities) are that in over 66% of these visits it leads to disruption, early self-discharge, and often relapse. That said, please know we’re a treatment centre driven by your success and we do know that your success is significantly improved when family members are engaged in their loved one’s recovery. So if you would like to organise either a zoom call with your family and your primary therapist, or an actual family visit on site, we would encourage this towards the end of your treatment experience.
We appreciate that you will be away from your loved ones for fairly long periods of time and that connection to them is important. Sometimes work or business calls are important to you. We will always find ways to help you facilitate these relationships. We have super-fast internet, and all the bedrooms have Smart TVs running YouTube and Netflix etc.
It is our policy that in today’s modern world, our residents need to find recovery with their smart devices to hand. We are against hiding technology from our residents as it’s a useful tool to support our recovery as well as our lifestyles.
Therefore, unless you specifically require a digital detox, . you can use your phone, pad and laptop in your room outside of the scheduled structure and groups, meaning that you can use your devices before morning activities, after the daily groups, and even in between the scheduled program (for instance, lunchtime) should you choose to.
Yes you may. Whilst we’d love to encourage you to quit whilst youre with us, we acknowledge that many people still smoke So you may smoke on the balcony of your room, or in the dedicated smoking sala in the lounge area.
Koh Phangan is a warm climate all year round. It is typically in the low to mid 30s*c / low 90s*f during the day, and at night it rarely goes under 23*c / mid 70s*f Sometimes it rains, usually for up to 30 minutes, which serves at cooling down the air. Occasionally it may rain for longer periods (typically in October or November), though this doesn’t interfere with treatment particularly.
Pack as if you were coming on holiday to a tropical paradise island in Thailand – which, of course you are. Summer style clothing is recommended (light shirts, T-shirts, shorts, comfortable shoes, sneakers, flip flops / sandals, etc, light, breathable clothing and swimwear for the pool and the beaches. Most of us wear underwear, shorts, T-shirts / Tank Tops / Vests, sneakers, sandals & tongs / flip flops. Active wear for workouts and other fitness activities including swimming, sports shoes, and light wear for yoga. We do physical activities almost every day, so bring a few pairs to allow for laundry times.
There is no need to dress formal or smart. Everything is relaxed, comfort focused and easy going. We have a safe to keep your valuables in, but expensive jewellery and other luxury items are unnecessary. Toiletries: Please bring your own toiletries and hygiene products, such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, shower gel, shampoo, conditioner, shaving materials, basic makeup, hairbrush, etc. Anything you forget we can purchase from local shops.
Medications: You are allowed to continue using your doctor-prescribed medications while in rehab, but please do bring proof of your prescription. Please keep all your pills in the original packaging so that they are not to be unauthorized narcotics.
Kindly do not bring the following: Alcohol or drugs: It might seem self-explanatory, but some clients may try to sneak in a last-minute hit, fix, pill, can, bottle, etc. Your bags and belongings will be searched when you arrive at Holina. Alcohol or drug paraphernalia: This includes anything that advertises or glorifies the use of alcohol or drugs. This should also include items that display support for criminal acts including terrorism, sex, gambling, or other negatively perceived notions that could upset other residents.
Weapons: There is absolutely no need to bring any knives or weapons with you to Thailand or to treatment. They will be confiscated and destroyed. Toiletries that contain alcohol: Leave any alcohol-based products at home, such as certain mouthwashes, nail polish remover, perfumes, and aerosols.
We have 2 main Chef’s (supported by 2 other Thai chefs) – a Meat focused one and a Vegan Chef. You can advise us of any of your specific dietary needs and we can manage them. We’re used to having people with all types of needs. Nothing unusual there.
Our prices are all inclusive and dependent upon the style of room you choose – shared, single occupancy or private plunge pool villa. You can view our prices here
We don’t have any hidden costs, though there are some costs that should be aware of. We pay for any psychiatric assessments and other mental health professional visits. We ask you to pay for anything non detox or mental health related, including your medications.
We also ask that you have travel or medical insurance in place before you come to us. This is really for any non-detox or psychiatric related problems, like if you fall over and break your arm, or some other uncalculated trip to accident and emergency.
We don’t pay for your flights to and from Koh Samui Airport (USM), but we do cover the cost of getting you from the airport to Holina and we will pay for your return to the airport unless you check out against clinical advice. Typically, our clients spend between US$50 and $75 per month on personal items, such as snacks, sodas, cigarettes, some toiletries, etc, but it’s not necessary to spend any more. Even gift buying on this island is relatively cheap compared to the rest of the world.
At this time, residents of most countries around the world are able to come into Thailand and achieve a visa upon entry. We will advise you on this process. It’s very straight forwards.
If you extend your treatment and need a longer visa then we will take care of this for you, and in most instances we will pay for all your visa extensions too.
Currently, there are no requirements for any vaccines to come into Thailand. This includes COVID vaccines or any other historical vaccines previously required. So please don’t worry about this, unless you specifically want to be extra vaccinated.
Holina Village is a safe and contained space designed for young people from the age of 16 to 26, who are choosing to deal with their addictions.
Specialising in healing our emotions and expanding our spirit through our beautiful retreat in Koh Phangan.
Holina Rehabilitation Services are also available in Europe at our new Holina Youth Village in Cyprus where we welcome the younger generation who have addictions and more commonly online and behavioural addictions. We also cater for the corporate and business world with our Spiritual Retreats at our forthcoming location on Koh Phangan Island.
Watch our Monk Prah Olarn (Unlimited Smiling Monk) present an introduction to the Inner Walk Meditation offered at Koh Phangan and at the Holina Rehab Resort. The Inner Walk has supported thousands of visitors to increase their presence and mindfulness.
Sunset dinners at Holina on Fridays are a special time. We reflect on the past week and plan some exciting weekend activities around the island. Our chefs love to surprise us and make everyone indulge in culinary delights.
Art Therapy with Umporn Jiaranai the founder and Creative Director of an Art school “Art Issue” which focuses on creative art for children and adults. We provide fun, joyful, and unforgettable learning experiences through our art classes.
Holina Addiction Treatment Center
Koh Phangan – Thailand
At Holina, we understand that that when it comes to a long-term successful recovery, addiction treatment in residential rehab is only the beginning. But it’s such an important beginning!.
It’s time to get back to yourself.
© Holina Rehab Koh Phangan 2023
Design & Development by Webheadz Media
