Meet Holina Rehab, the first rehab in Thailand approved for the new ‘International’ license by the Thai Ministry of Health
You probably don’t think of Koh Phangan when you think of rehab. The Thai island is known for its full moon parties, yoga retreats, and white-sand beaches. It’s not exactly the place you’d expect to rebuild your life. But that’s exactly what makes Holina Rehab so interesting.
Located on a beachside resort with magnificent sunset backdrops, Holina Addiction & Trauma Recovery Rehab offers a place where you can recover in a swimming pool, process your trauma in picturesque therapy sessions, and rediscover yourself without the cold, clinical feel of traditional rehabs.
We know what you’re thinking. Rehabilitation is important, so a pretty wellness retreat isn’t going to cut it. However, Holina Rehab is different. They’ve made history as the first residential rehab facility in Thailand to receive official international licensing from the Thai Ministry of Health. It’s the first of its kind and a step forward in Thailand’s strategy to regulate this growing field of medical tourism.
The license that changed private rehabilitation in Thailand
Thailand has spent the last decade positioning itself as a global destination for wellness, and it’s done a pretty solid job. The country’s wellness tourism is thriving, drawing international travellers looking for yoga retreats, detox cleanses, and spiritual awakenings.
For years, anyone seeking rehab in Thailand had only two options. They could either choose a hospital-based detox that specifically addresses the physical consequences of drinking or drug use, typically within a medical environment, or they could attend one of the established private clinics offering addiction treatment, though these clinics previously operated under an outdated licensing protocol. This protocol has now been updated to reflect the significant shift in recent years, as Thailand has become the world leader in global rehab tourism.
Holina Rehab in Koh Phangan is the proud recipient of Thailand Ministry of Public Health’s updated licensing, which reflects this global trend towards international guests seeking legitimate help.
The process to obtain this license is highly rigorous as it involves detailed assessments of the facility, treatment programmes, and qualifications of the medical and therapeutic teams. Therefore, you don’t have to question Holina Rehab’s safety, treatment efficacy, and professional ethics.
What does this international license mean for clients?
Rehab is a deeply personal decision, one that often comes with doubts, second-guessing, and, sometimes, a lot of fear.“Will it actually work?” “Will I be safe?” “Am I wasting my time and money?” are some of the questions that may linger in your mind.
Holina Rehab’s International Rehab License gives you peace of mind because you’ll be in safe hands. They only provide comprehensive, evidence-based treatment for addiction, trauma, and mental health recovery under the strict supervision of the Thailand Ministry of Health.
So rest assured, you’ll receive medically supervised detoxification, care from licensed psychologists, comprehensive addiction treatment, and support from trauma recovery specialists. The programme is highly robust, yet Holina’s clinical approach remains remarkably progressive, bringing a much-needed change to an often stagnant industry.
Can recovery really feel like a tropical escape?
When you hear ‘rehab on a tropical island in Thailand,’ you might picture cocktail-free beach clubs and meditation circles. Sure, Holina Rehab is built like a private retreat, with sunset & seaview bungalows, pool villas, two swimming pools, and open-air pavilions where therapy happens to the sound of ocean waves. But don’t mistake the setting for the experience.
Treatment-wise, Holina combines Western science with Eastern philosophy. Therefore, you’re just as likely to have a one-on-one session with a psychotherapist and psychologist as you are to practice breathwork, somatic healing, or sound therapy. The goal is to rewire your brain, reconnect with yourself, and break the cycle for good.
And while rehab isn’t a vacation, it doesn’t have to feel like punishment. In addition to the all-personalised rehab programmes, your experience includes gourmet meals for all dietary requirements (yes, even in rehab, food matters), fitness classes, and offsite recreational activities, among other things.
What does a recovery programme look like at Holina Rehab?
Holina Rehab has recovery programmes for addiction recovery, trauma recovery, and emotional recovery. The programmes are immersive and comprehensive. Plus, they make every programme to be deeply personal. They will meet you where you are and guide you back to yourself.
The lengths vary from four to twelve weeks, with many clients opting for the full 12-week experience. There’s no fixed start date, so the programme begins as soon as you arrive at Holina Rehab in Koh Phangan, Thailand.
What your days look like depends on what you need. Some people come to Holina Rehab for addiction recovery, others for stress, self-esteem struggles, or emotional healing.
For addiction recovery, they combine a proven 12-step model with NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming), diverse talking therapies, and mindfulness practices that originate from Thai Buddhism and other Eastern Spiritual practices. Moreover, you’ll work with counsellors who are in long-term recovery themselves, alongside coaches, therapists, mentors, and various trainers.
Daily life at Holina Rehab is structured and designed to keep you engaged and motivated toward your goals. Mornings begin with yoga, exercise, or a swim, followed by meditation and mindfulness to set you up for the day.
The rest of the morning is spent in the community, with group therapy sessions and shared activities designed to help you feel more positive about yourself and your recovery. You’ll talk about family dynamics, work through emotions with psychodrama, and join men’s or women’s circles where you can share and connect in a safe space.
Afternoons are more personalised, with one-on-one sessions with psychotherapists, somatic therapists, or practitioners of aqua therapy, breathwork, art, and other creative therapies. They tailor your programme to your specific needs and adjust it as you progress.
Holina also believes in healing through experience. Singing bowls, drumming circles, and sound therapy help release emotional tension, while ice baths and sauna treatments refresh your body. Massages on the beach, with the sound of gentle waves, bring deep relaxation.
What do past clients say about Holina?
A rehab centre can have all the right credentials, a polished website, and the best marketing team money can buy. But none of that matters as much as the people who’ve walked through its doors and come out the other side. The real proof is in the stories of people who’ve been there.
For Brianne Nola, Holina Rehab was a place to reset. “A brilliant place to get back in touch with oneself,” she wrote. She also credited the staff for their expertise and commitment.
Others, like Thomas Larson, said that the experience saved their lives. “Holina saved my life,” he stated. “The most loving, caring, welcoming, and supportive community I’ve ever experienced. The quality of the therapy is second to none, and the staff are outstandingly competent. Not to mention, it’s in tropical paradise.”
Recovery is personal. It’s hard. It’s messy. But at Holina Rehab in Koh Phangan, Thailand, it’s also life-changing. Plus, it happens to be in one of the most beautiful places on Earth.
If you or someone you love is ready for a fresh start at a rehab in Thailand, visit Holina Rehab’s website or contact them at +66 (0) 626 418 369, info@holinarehab.com, or via LINE Official @holina.
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