detox

[Sue]

I will be coming to Thailand in late November. I need and want to
quit drinking, it is destroying my body. Western AA treatment has
not worked. How difficult would it be for a middle aged woman who is
not in good health to go through the detox treatment at Thamkrabok?

[Audrey Delaney]

Hi Sue, Would love to know where you are from. Country that is. You do not
state what your medical conditions are so my first suggestion would be to
double check with your doctor. That would be his call. You could have
anything from asthma to heart condition so that's to hard to say. I was 40
(boys block your ears on that one) when I detoxed. All I can say at this
point is I was at the stage where I just wanted to step of the world and go
cold turkey. I was handling the mental side and emotional side of it, but
the physical side and temptations where to hard at home. How committed you
are is most important. But middle age has nothing to do with it. When I
was there a Russian lady age 65 with arthritis was detoxing from alcohol.
The one thing you need to know is that most medications are not allowed but
I believe some that are prescribed by a doctor and don't have any mind
altering chemicals in them may be given special permission.

This is just a short note to give you something to think about but please
feel free to ask anything else. I am in Ireland by the way. Any female
personal questions I can answer you privately by email
audrey...@eircom.net. Everything else is best done on this as you will
get so many experiences and opinions and you know which one is right for
you. Please keep in touch and this could be the best decision you ever made
for yourself. It was for me.

Warmest hope and well done for trying to take your life in control.

Audrey

[John Cox]

Hi Sue,

 

On the face of it your an ideal candidate, however as Audry says wider medicle issues need to be considered especially when doing an achol detox.

 

During my time in Tham Krabok there was a lady in her seventies there, she'd been drinking for 40 years. I was concered for her at first but she was welcomed by everyone and actually became of pivitol part of the group that was in there at the time. I was very moved to see her husband come in and pick her up, she had honestly gone from looking close to death to this vital healthly woman, she was compleatly transformed and her husband was moved almost to tears at seeing her.

 

Regardless of your situation Tham Krabok is an amazing place, it's like nothing else on Earth and it changed my life in so many ways. However it is just a place, I did the hard work, I went through the pain and it was my hard work that gave me a chance of living a productive and happy life. My point is that it's not magic and you wont be able to be a passive vesle, you get out what you put in and by the sounds of it your already motivated to do that.

 

Tham Krabok can give you the tools to help your self, it's an extream solution and is far from easy. But consider what you will do when you leave, you treatment really beggins when you walk out of thise gates.

 

Good luck Sue,

Coxy

(Australia)

---

From: Sue <smgod...@gmail.com>
To: Friends of Thamkrabok Monastery <friends-of-tham...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, 25 October, 2009 8:39:43
Subject: [FOTM:2366] detox

[Audrey Delaney]

Well said John,

 

Just one other point, Sue,  remember you should also tell the monastery about your medical issues to. For your own safety and their for their first hand knowledge when dealing with you. Your meds etc.  As they do take everything of you especially unexplained tablets. No valium or sleeping tablets allowed.  Beats the purpose.

 

It is an experience like no other.  I have no regrets in fact treasure my time there, like most want to go back to visit.  There are not many who say that about other rehabs.  That is a common feeling amongst x patients.  Have support set up for when you come home as you can be very raw without your crutch.  Plus complete lifestyle change.  Be it change friends, or other triggers for drinking.  Don’t just stop, find replacements in all aspects of your life.  Be it social or therapeutic.  Hopefully both.

 

I found that you don’t appreciate Thamkrabok sometimes and what you have got from it till you leave as you are sick and going through it.  Your love for the place grows when you come home.

 

Much love and I will pray for you tonight.  Sending you good vibes already

 

Audrey

 

---

[Vince Cullen]

Hi Sue,

Welcome to the forum.

The 'official' stance on the treatment of alcoholics at Thamkrabok is summarised as:

• "Alcohol is a terrible drug, which usually leads down the spiral of loss and to premature death as fast as any other drug."

• "Patients who are heavily addicted to alcohol or/and Valium risk unpredictable epileptic fits during the cold with-drawal. It is therefore recommendable to undergo a 7-10 days detoxification in a hospital previous to the treatment in Thamkrabok."
  

Having said that, I have seen alcoholics fall out of Taxis on arriving at the monastery!  I might be wrong - and if anyone knows any different please correct me - but I'm not aware of anyone being turned away in this condition.  I've also heard numerous opiate addicts tell of eating valium like candy on the flight to Thailand (although this practice is not to be recommended; it just makes the detox longer and harder - why create even more suffering for yourself?).

I agree with the other posts here that you may wish to consulte your doctor for his view on whether or not you should take this treatment... then make up your own mind: -

• The withdrawal in Thamkrabok is a ‘cold’ with-drawal, which means that the patient must stop taking the drugs at once and without sleeping pills, tranquilizers or any substances for pain relief. This is due to the herbal medicine, which doesn’t tolerate any chemical medicine. The herbal medicine would withdraw the chemical products together with the drugs. Therefore the patient should be in a physical and mental condition that permits a cold withdrawal.

• If a patient is physically fairly fit, and if he/she has a positive attitude, the withdrawal is easier. 

Sue, if you decide to go ahead with treatment at Thamkrabok, I would recommend that you stay in treatment for as long as possible (up to 28-days) and arrange for the monastery to collect you from Bangkok airport.

Be well and kind regards.

With Metta,

Vince
__________________________________
313
If anything is to be done,
do it well,
with energy and devotion;
the renunciate life led heedlessly
just stirs up the dust.
__________________________________
A DHAMMAPADA for CONTEMPLATION
http://aruno.org//index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=241&Itemid=80

[metalface from kent]

Hi Sue,you've had some good advice and there's not a lot I can add.I
will agree that people arrive at TKB in all sorts of conditions and
often the 'worst cases' ('no-hopers 'an that)and yes,often having had
'one last party',just before they walk through the gates-which I would
not recommend!!
I would get your consumption down to as moderate as
possible,gradually and in the weeks preceding-consider it the first
stage of your de-tox ('pre-tox'?!).The conditions are sparse and
sanitary basic (far from clinical),so you will want to avoid any
complications in that enviroment,so yes,obtain your Doctor's advice if
you consider yourself 'at risk'.You say you're 'not in good
health',but I dont think any of us were on Admission otherwise we
wouldn't be there (with the greatest respect).Its a 'make or break'
situation,and you must recognise it as that.You only get 'one shot' at
TKB.

Just remember-De-tox is only the first Peice if the Jigsaw.Your
guaranteed of that if you stick the programme.What you really need to
address is the reason why you need to keep 'veiling' reality with
alcohol.You may think you need to change your 'reality',but more than
likely,its your concept of reality (to give it a Buddhist 'slant' that
is not out of place here),that is causing you problems...

Do the Right thing,with the Right attitude,is my advice to you now
(and always)....starting with de-tox...

Best Wishes and Good Luck,
Metta.
Mfk.

On Oct 25, 3:27 pm, Vince Cullen <vince.cul...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi Sue,
>
> Welcome to the forum.
>
> The 'official' stance on the treatment of alcoholics at Thamkrabok is
> summarised as:
>

>    - *"Alcohol is a terrible drug, which usually leads down the spiral of
>    loss and to premature death as fast as any other drug."*
>
>    - *"Patients who are heavily addicted to alcohol or/and Valium risk

>    unpredictable epileptic fits during the cold with-drawal. It is therefore
>    recommendable to undergo a 7-10 days detoxification in a hospital previous

>    to the treatment in Thamkrabok." *

>
> Having said that, I have seen alcoholics fall out of Taxis on arriving at
> the monastery!  I might be wrong - and if anyone knows any different please
> correct me - but I'm not aware of anyone being turned away in this
> condition.  I've also heard numerous opiate addicts tell of eating valium
> like candy on the flight to Thailand (although this practice is not to be
> recommended; it just makes the detox longer and harder - why create even
> more suffering for yourself?).
>
> I agree with the other posts here that you may wish to consulte your doctor
> for his view on whether or not you should take this treatment... then make
> up your own mind: -
>

>    - *The withdrawal in Thamkrabok is a ‘cold’ with-drawal, which means that

>    the patient must stop taking the drugs at once and without sleeping pills,
>    tranquilizers or any substances for pain relief. This is due to the herbal
>    medicine, which doesn’t tolerate any chemical medicine. The herbal medicine
>    would withdraw the chemical products together with the drugs. Therefore the
>    patient should be in a physical and mental condition that permits a cold

>    withdrawal. *
>
> **
>
>    - *If a patient is physically fairly fit, and if he/she has a positive
>    attitude, the withdrawal is easier.  *

>
> Sue, if you decide to go ahead with treatment at Thamkrabok, I would
> recommend that you stay in treatment for as long as possible (up to 28-days)
> and arrange for the monastery to collect you from Bangkok airport.
>
> Be well and kind regards.
>
> With Metta,
>
> Vince
> __________________________________
> 313
> If anything is to be done,
> do it well,
> with energy and devotion;
> the renunciate life led heedlessly
> just stirs up the dust.
> __________________________________

> A DHAMMAPADA for CONTEMPLATIONhttp://aruno.org//index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=241&Itemi...

[John Cox]

That's very sound advice there, the pre-detox reduction is gonna give you a higher chance of success.

Try to educate your self with views from the guys at Tham krabok by explaining your situation and speak to your doctor. But ultimatly you need to decide, western doctors have a narrow view and will frown upon the Tham Krabok way of doing things.
Again, good luck Sue. please remember your in charge of your destiny
Cozy

Sent from my iPod

[Susan Godfrey]

Thank you Audrey for your kind words and John and Vince and everyone.  I am a 55 year old woman from Seattle, that has spent all of my money in western treatment over the past 15 years, including Betty Ford. I have been drinking for over 30 years and loosing everything because of it.  At one time I had a successful business, now I have next to nothing.  For me it is alcohol, no drugs.  Same as my mother and father.  the last two times I detoxed western style, I need Librium to control seizures.  However, I do not now have a doctor, being one of the 40 million uninsured Americans.  I used to be a big donor to non profits and now I am sick in my body and not clear in my mind.Although I am still playing the normal game with those around me.  I have thought about this treatment for awhile, but I am afraid.  I do not sleep and need my own room and have to read most of the night.  I will have no one there to be with me or help me  I keep thinking that I can wait  Is their a support team there?  Can I bring reading materials and vitamins and other foods?  I am a smart, caring and formally very successful fair trade business women.  Now my body is sick and my dreams are dying.  What brought all of you to the decision to do this dramatic detox?. Can I make my way through it? 

[bill bloomer]

Hello Susan,  I too went through an American' 21 day spin dry'. It worked well as long as I stuck close to 12 step meetings , quite awhile actually.  Eventually I was down and out in Bangkok. With my last $6 spent , arrived atThamkrabok. That was 7 years ago and have since lacked nothing. I hope you trust that your needs will be met.   Feel free to contact me. Be well, Bill --- On Tue, 11/3/09, Susan Godfrey <smgod...@gmail.com> wrote:

[John Cox]

Hi Sue,

First of all well done for reaching out and asking the question, I think you've probably come to the right place and you sound ready AND able which is great.

I am a professional person and had gone from having nothing to having everything and then blew it all including my career, marrage, friends and family. I couldn't face western detox, being the cynical snob that I am I didn't want to listen to other people moaning about their problems and be surrounded by what I deemed bullshitters. I also wanted wanted something deeper than just getting my body clean.

Anyway I have astma and was worried about being comfortable but it was ok, bloody uncomfortable and I cursed every second I was there until 2 days before I left but that what I needed.

it will change your life and it will stay withyou but it's not a cure. As I say to everyone on this forum, it's just a place, you have to do the hard work and you have to be alone with your self and your pain. That's the key, sitting with it, acepting and not wishing it away, I am still working hard at staying clean. It's been almost 2 for me now.

Another important point is that you remember that the hard work starts when you leave those gates, the pain won't be so sharp and you can easily forgetter why you should be clean.

My advice would be to go for it, you'll be scared and you put up barriers because of that but I honestly think you should go for it. 

Good luck Sue

Cozy 

Sent from my iPod

[metalface from kent]

Hi Sue,it was desperation and a last chance that brought me to TKB-
after losing everything-like you,a business and ALL the material
things,as well as the more valuable things like self-
respect,Hope,relationships with family and freinds and the rest.I
think part of the 'criteria' is to be so desperate that you make it
work.It all starts with de-tox and that is a committment and an easy
thing to keep putting off.

To be honest,you will be on your own and you will not have your own
room-you'll be in a shared womens dorm-but its really OK!! The people
are really nice,you'll meet some very interesting folk and,if you go
into it with the right intention you could have a very positive
experience-a real 'eye-opener',which could be the start of your
'turnaround'.Its a 'shake-up',and it sounds like you need one....and
you'll also need a 'still' period after, whilst everthing 'settles'.

Your 'support team' is more than sufficient,the Monks and Nuns of The
Hey are more than adequate in their experience and have 'seen it
all'...Do not expect any thing resembling a Western Detox Centre!! You
will be able to bring reading,music ect.(and you will need cos you'll
have plenty of time on your hands).Vitamins,I'm not sure-they may
authorise?!.but you will eat at the Patients Restaurant-Hut,which
provides healthy,fresh,well prepared meals(mainly
Thai),fruit,drinks,snacks and is also one of the main 'social'
areas.If you wish to order 'simple' food,then you can literally point
to what you want cooked (woked-up or whatever),and that in itself is
quite fun.They may let you bring food,but I cant think why you'd want
to.

The 'seizures' do sound like a small issue-its does happen with
extreme withdrawel (especially alcohol and tranq's) and I would check
with the Doc.At the end of the day-if this is the 'last chance'
solution,then you're just going to have to go with it.
Getting your 'usage' down should eliminate a lot of the risk.When I de-
toxed in 2005,there were at least 3 cases very similar to you-same age/
same problem.They coped fine and were ALL good company and settled
into the experience in a positive way.

Make it Work,Sue.
Metta
Mfk

On Nov 3, 10:10 am, Susan Godfrey <smgodfre...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Thank you Audrey for your kind words and John and Vince and everyone.  I am
> a 55 year old woman from Seattle, that has spent all of my money in western
> treatment over the past 15 years, including Betty Ford. I have been drinking
> for over 30 years and loosing everything because of it.  At one time I had a
> successful business, now I have next to nothing.  For me it is alcohol, no
> drugs.  Same as my mother and father.  the last two times I detoxed western
> style, I need Librium to control seizures.  However, I do not now have a
> doctor, being one of the 40 million uninsured Americans.  I used to be a big
> donor to non profits and now I am sick in my body and not clear in my
> mind.Although I am still playing the normal game with those around me.  I
> have thought about this treatment for awhile, but I am afraid.  I do not
> sleep and need my own room and have to read most of the night.  I will have
> no one there to be with me or help me  I keep thinking that I can wait  Is
> their a support team there?  Can I bring reading materials and vitamins and
> other foods?  I am a smart, caring and formally very successful fair trade
> business women.  Now my body is sick and my dreams are dying.  What brought
> all of you to the decision to do this dramatic detox?. Can I make my way
> through it?
>

> On Sat, Oct 24, 2009 at 2:29 PM, Audrey Delaney <audreysde...@eircom.net>wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > Hi Sue, Would love to know where you are from.  Country that is. You do not
> > state what your medical conditions are so my first suggestion would be to
> > double check with your doctor.  That would be his call.  You could have
> > anything from asthma to heart condition so that's  to hard to say.  I was
> > 40
> > (boys block your ears on that one) when I detoxed. All  I can say at this
> > point is I was at the stage where I just wanted to step of the world and go
> > cold turkey.  I was handling the mental side and emotional side of it, but
> > the physical side and temptations where to hard at home.  How committed you
> > are is most important.  But middle age has nothing to do with it.  When I
> > was there a Russian lady age 65 with arthritis was detoxing from alcohol.
> > The one thing you need to know is that most medications are not allowed but
> > I believe some that are prescribed by a doctor and don't have any mind
> > altering chemicals in them may be given special permission.
>
> > This is just a short note to give you something to think about but please
> > feel free to ask anything else.  I am in Ireland by the way.  Any female
> > personal questions I can answer you privately by email

> > audreysde...@eircom.net.  Everything else is best done on this as you will

> > get so many experiences and opinions and you know which one is right for
> > you.  Please keep in touch and this could be the best decision you ever
> > made
> > for yourself.  It was for me.
>
> > Warmest hope and well done for trying to take your life in control.
>
> > Audrey
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: friends-of-tham...@googlegroups.com
> > [mailto:friends-of-tham...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Sue
> > Sent: 24 October 2009 22:40
> > To: Friends of Thamkrabok Monastery
> > Subject: [FOTM:2366] detox
>
> > I will be coming to Thailand in late November.  I need and want to
> > quit drinking, it is destroying my body.  Western AA  treatment has
> > not worked.  How difficult would it be for a middle aged woman who is

> > not in good health to go through the detox treatment at Thamkrabok?- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

[metalface from kent]

Nice to see you,Bill.Hope your Keeping well.mfk

On Nov 3, 11:09 am, bill bloomer <bill_bloo...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Hello Susan,
>  I too went through an American' 21 day spin dry'. It worked well as long as I stuck close to 12 step meetings , quite awhile actually.
>  Eventually I was down and out in Bangkok. With my last $6 spent , arrived atThamkrabok.
> That was 7 years ago and have since lacked nothing.
> I hope you trust that your needs will be met.
>  
> Feel free to contact me.
> Be well,
> Bill
>

> --- On Tue, 11/3/09, Susan Godfrey <smgodfre...@gmail.com> wrote:

>
> From: Susan Godfrey <smgodfre...@gmail.com>
> Subject: [FOTM:2401] Re: detox
> To: friends-of-tham...@googlegroups.com
> Date: Tuesday, November 3, 2009, 2:10 AM
>
> Thank you Audrey for your kind words and John and Vince and everyone.  I am a 55 year old woman from Seattle, that has spent all of my money in western treatment over the past 15 years, including Betty Ford. I have been drinking for over 30 years and loosing everything because of it.  At one time I had a successful business, now I have next to nothing.  For me it is alcohol, no drugs.  Same as my mother and father.  the last two times I detoxed western style, I need Librium to control seizures.  However, I do not now have a doctor, being one of the 40 million uninsured Americans.  I used to be a big donor to non profits and now I am sick in my body and not clear in my mind.Although I am still playing the normal game with those around me.  I have thought about this treatment for awhile, but I am afraid.  I do not sleep and need my own room and have to read most of the night.  I will have no one there to be with me or help me  I keep thinking
>  that I can wait  Is their a support team there?  Can I bring reading materials and vitamins and other foods?  I am a smart, caring and formally very successful fair trade business women.  Now my body is sick and my dreams are dying.  What brought all of you to the decision to do this dramatic detox?. Can I make my way through it? 
>

> On Sat, Oct 24, 2009 at 2:29 PM, Audrey Delaney <audreysde...@eircom.net> wrote:
>
> Hi Sue, Would love to know where you are from.  Country that is. You do not
> state what your medical conditions are so my first suggestion would be to
> double check with your doctor.  That would be his call.  You could have
> anything from asthma to heart condition so that's  to hard to say.  I was 40
> (boys block your ears on that one) when I detoxed. All  I can say at this
> point is I was at the stage where I just wanted to step of the world and go
> cold turkey.  I was handling the mental side and emotional side of it, but
> the physical side and temptations where to hard at home.  How committed you
> are is most important.  But middle age has nothing to do with it.  When I
> was there a Russian lady age 65 with arthritis was detoxing from alcohol.
> The one thing you need to know is that most medications are not allowed but
> I believe some that are prescribed by a doctor and don't have any mind
> altering chemicals in them may be given special permission.
>
> This is just a short note to give you something to think about but please
> feel free to ask anything else.  I am in Ireland by the way.  Any female
> personal questions I can answer you privately by email

> audreysde...@eircom.net.  Everything else is best done on this as you will

> get so many experiences and opinions and you know which one is right for
> you.  Please keep in touch and this could be the best decision you ever made
> for yourself.  It was for me.
>
> Warmest hope and well done for trying to take your life in control.
>
> Audrey
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: friends-of-tham...@googlegroups.com
>
> [mailto:friends-of-tham...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Sue
> Sent: 24 October 2009 22:40
> To: Friends of Thamkrabok Monastery
> Subject: [FOTM:2366] detox
>
> I will be coming to Thailand in late November.  I need and want to
> quit drinking, it is destroying my body.  Western AA  treatment has
> not worked.  How difficult would it be for a middle aged woman who is

[jazz man]

Bring books, bring music, bring mosquito repellent.  It will hard, possibly some of the hardest days of your life.  When you arrive at the other end it can transform you.  Being 55 shouldn't be the issue, but you have to make sure your head is in the right place, if it is, then TMK could be the right place for you.

Not possible to have single sleeping arrangements and as far as I know vitamins are not allowed either.  This is they way it works, and it has worked for many folks.  Best of luck in your battle

---

Hotmail: Trusted email with powerful SPAM protection. Sign up now.

[bill bloomer]

MFK BACKATCHA BB --- On Tue, 11/3/09, metalface from kent <boswe...@hotmail.co.uk> wrote:

[bill bloomer]

NOTE OF CLARIFICATION   The Four Rules of Dharma maintain that all things are temporary........... including rules. Who can say what is 'allowed '?? I , for one have seen cases where a foreign woman bunks in a room alone. I tend to think if we look for solutions instead of problems , we get right results . Everything gonna be O K Continued Metta to all. BB --- On Tue, 11/3/09, jazz man <jaz...@hotmail.com> wrote:

From: jazz man <jaz...@hotmail.com> Subject: [FOTM:2407] Re: detox To: friends-of-tham...@googlegroups.com

[jazz man]

 Bill,
 
Thanks for setting the record straight.  You are so correct, who is to say what is allowed, just trying to paint a realistic picture of the conditions and accomodations.
 
When visiting  the hey this past August, the women's side and mens were chock full, but this changes like the weather.
 
If someone needs single sleeping arrangements,  maybe they can should confirm with Mae Shee Rambhais or Phra Gary just to make for smoother sailing, they also might offer advice/bend on the vitamins.
 
Not  much one for rules either, but there are certainly a few there, heck the monks have over 1000 precepts if memory serves me right.
 
Then again, my memory rarely serves me at all!
 
peace brother...
 
 

---

Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 05:54:49 -0800
From: bill_b...@yahoo.com
Subject: [FOTM:2409] Re: detox
To: friends-of-tham...@googlegroups.com

[Audrey Delaney]

Hi Susan,

 

So glad you still feel motivated.  Here are a few points perhaps to take on board.

 

1.  It is nothing like (accommodation wise) any clinic treatment centre you have been to.  Its beautiful and tough.  Very basic dormitories. No luxuries.  No hot water. Though the climate allows this.  All dormitories where shared when I was there. But I have know that on occasion for practical or medical reasons if there is space then permission has been granted in the past.   The back to basics are a real eye opener and I found this helped in my recovery.  Though I did not appreciate this until I came home.  Like most of what I got from the Monastary. 

 

2.  Vitamins where taken of people when I was there.  Not because they where vitamins but because there was no proof that’s all they where.  Easy to slip western sleeping tablets into vitamin containers and call the Vitamin c etc.  Remember you are not a drug addicts but this place accommodates drug addiction and every trick in the book has been pulled.  So they must search and get rid of any possible damage to your recovery. 

 

3.  Agree with Mosquito cream, make sure it has over 50 in strength.  Plenty of it and mosquito net.  These are your luxury items. 

 

4.  Reading material is allowed.  Ipods etc. Bring batteries.

 

5.  You can even bring a bit of make up. Though I found I didn’t bother use them much, some women do feel a bit better in themselves if they do.  That’s a personal thing.

 

6.  Remember most importantly, you are not being charged for this detox.  It is advisable for westerners to give a donation as much as they can.  But your accommodation, electricity, medicine is free and so is the care you get going through it.  There is an English  nun called Katisha who helped me and other western women when going through detox and she was brilliant doing this.  She has been through it herself. 

 

7.  Any health concerns can be spoke about and the medicine man has given terrific potions to people who have anything from migraine problems to Hepatitis.  With great success.  So he can also help you with alternative herbs etc.

 

8.  Regarding alcohol, the best way to reduce the risk of seizures during detox is to cut your self down and reduce the amount you are drinking in the week up to travelling.  Your withdrawals wont be so severe.

 

9.  I would also say regardless of your religious views, the monks and nuns deserve complete and utter respect as do other patients.  There is a culture difference and you will not be in America.  These people are giving you for free what your own country will not.  Patients all have their pain and pasts.  Withdrawals is a very sick and emotional time and emotions are high.  Do not judge or be judged.  Be kind.

 

10.  On your completion there is often talk of time in Bangkok or a few go to a hotel etc.  This is where you need to be strong.  Do not be swayed by a bit of fun.  You have only given a few weeks to your recovery and you do not deserve a holiday break as some think.  You deserve to get well.  Do not let all the hard work go  down the drain.  Follow you original plan for when you leave. 

 

  I went on my own on the flight and through the treatment and came home to no support.  It was hard.  I have no family members whatsoever.  Just two wonderful children.  I so believe if you want to do this you will succeed.  Just don’t give up at the first hurdle.   The more hurdles you conquer the stronger you will get.   When you on your own with a sober mind. It is you who decides to take that drink.  The emotions are a huge part.  So perhaps this is definitely something you should consider sorting out before you go.  What support you are coming back to.  I reached out and found this group.  But I also had a great councellor.   My state of mind when I went was  definitely I wanted to give up.   Not will the Monastery work for me.  I just wanted a place to step of the world for a while.  Find what was going on in my head and who I was.  No pressures of every day life.  And the physical detox. 

 

Here is Mae Shee Rhambais’s email.  She is the head nun and has magnificent English.  A very compassionate and wonderful person. 

ramb...@gmail.com;

 

You could ask her about the room and other concerns and she will go to her superiors and they will answer you. 

 

Stay in touch and ask anything. 

 

There is no magic pill to fix you.  You fix you.  The monastery gives you so many tools and a different way of thinking. 

 

Warmest thoughts and prayers Audrey

 

 

---

From: friends-of-tham...@googlegroups.com [mailto:friends-of-tham...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Susan Godfrey
Sent: 03 November 2009 10:10
To: friends-of-tham...@googlegroups.com
Subject: [FOTM:2401] Re: detox

 

Thank you Audrey for your kind words and John and Vince and everyone.  I am a 55 year old woman from Seattle, that has spent all of my money in western treatment over the past 15 years, including Betty Ford. I have been drinking for over 30 years and loosing everything because of it.  At one time I had a successful business, now I have next to nothing.  For me it is alcohol, no drugs.  Same as my mother and father.  the last two times I detoxed western style, I need Librium to control seizures.  However, I do not now have a doctor, being one of the 40 million uninsured Americans.  I used to be a big donor to non profits and now I am sick in my body and not clear in my mind.Although I am still playing the normal game with those around me.  I have thought about this treatment for awhile, but I am afraid.  I do not sleep and need my own room and have to read most of the night.  I will have no one there to be with me or help me  I keep thinking that I can wait  Is their a support team there?  Can I bring reading materials and vitamins and other foods?  I am a smart, caring and formally very successful fair trade business women.  Now my body is sick and my dreams are dying.  What brought all of you to the decision to do this dramatic detox?. Can I make my way through it? 

[bill bloomer]

Yo Jazzman  I once lived surrounded by jazz players. Made the mistake of 'copping their licks' . That got me to WTKB quicker. Nuff said. No worries .It's all just rhetoric , no ? Lets hope we all return down that Middle Path from the wreckage strewn MIND field of memories back into the HEARTLAND of true nature. Be well , play on.

[John Cox]

Can I just say "everything that Audry said" I nodded to myself all the way through

Cozy

Sent from my iPod

[Audrey Delaney]

Ah thanks John…though I would like to know where you stood on point no. 5.  during your nodding.  Hehe  xx

 

---

[John Cox]

Just a bit of blush for me, anything more is just guilding the Lilly ;-)

Sent from my iPod

[jazz man]

Bill,
 
Bill your posts are always on target while making me crack a smile, about copping licks,didn't anyone tell you to only copy the good stuff and discard the bad notes?
 
Peace my brother, we are all trying to find our own way  down a path, and our sajas and katah can only help...
 
I may have to put " A Love Supreme"  in the CD player this morning, in your honor....
 

---

Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 02:07:54 -0800
From: bill_b...@yahoo.com
Subject: [FOTM:2413] Re: detox
To: friends-of-tham...@googlegroups.com

http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/177141664/direct/01/ ' target='_new'>Sign up now.

[bill bloomer]

TA , beats  *Good Mornin,  Heartache* OR *London Calling*