Frequently Asked Questions

Treatment at the Lighthouse Bali:

All of our programs start out with a medical assessment – this is essential for your safety. Our physicians have decades of experience working with addicts and alcoholics and have strong morals and follow strict codes of ethical conduct. You definitely will not be monitored by doctors in white coats who you can’t relate to. You’ll be introduced to a variety of our team members who have years of sobriety and/or clean time from drugs after having been through similar programs themselves. When you say that you can’t comprehend a life without substances, we understand. When you question yourself we understand that too. You are not alone and you are not a failure.

Our treatment programs are holistic, evidence based, individually focused, one-on-one, private and discreet.

The Lighthouse Bali considers each individual client from a biological, psychological, social, and spiritual point of view. We focus on the whole person, not only the addiction. We address each person’s specific needs with a unique, tailored program.

At The Lighthouse Bali our medical and support staff have years of experience helping people recover from  addictions to alcohol, marijuana, heroin, morphine, Fentanyl, Oxycontin, Oxycodone, cocaine, crystal meth (ICE), Xanax, Valium, other prescription medications, benzodiazepines and many other substances.

During your rehab in Bali, your program will be overseen by our Clinical Advisor. Our clinical Advisor is a licensed clinical psychologist, holds a BA from UC Santa Barbara, a Masters in Public Health from UC Los Angeles, as well as a Masters and a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. She has a wealth of experience, including working with the Betty Ford Center in America.

Yes. Clients are examined by our Psychiatrist who will assess the extent of any current diagnosis and medication regime. Our Psychiatrist and Clinical Director then coordinate to address all issues presented. General medical, psychiatric and psychological health care professionals are on our team. Team members have a wealth of experience in conditions often seen alongside or underlying addiction, such as depression and anxiety.

Our program is entirely one-on-one, as opposed to a group environment. We never take more than 3 inpatient clients at any one time, housing them in their own private villa with support staff and a customized program, based on the individual’s needs and wants. We provide a program of recovery that is specifically tailored for the age, culture and gender of each client, as well as their physical abilities and desires. We introduce the clients to others in the recovery community and encourage group interaction in recovery meetings and outreach projects.

Our programs are extremely flexible. Our program director designs the weekly plan for each client based on their needs, wants and abilities – with their input. If the client prefers yoga to the gym, that is put into their plan. If they do not want to attend 12 step meetings, they are not forced to. Some clients need certain times of the day to contact family or attend to business – this is factored into their treatment plan, keeping in mind that their recovery program must come first. This is all discussed with the client before their program begins.

We do not believe in arbitrary rules. For example, we look at something like phone and computer usage as an opportunity to work with the client to develop healthy behaviour. We do not take away things that restrict clients from interacting with the outside world unless they would be harmful; this way, clients are able to work through their problems in a supportive environment. Traditional rehabs will take away phones and online privileges or put limits and rules around very restricted usage once a week. We believe that it is better to work with the clients on healthy habits and interactions while they are in treatment rather than hope they can somehow develop them once they are back in society.

Anonymity and confidentiality are huge factors at The Lighthouse Bali – thus, one of the reasons for our private, one-on-one, care. Whether the client is a well-known celebrity, sports star or a regular person who prefers to stay anonymous, we go to great lengths to protect the anonymity of the client and honour their privacy. We never discuss addiction or related topics while out in public – to the casual observer, they would simply see a couple of friends going for a stroll on the beach or checking out the majestic rice fields. We wear ordinary clothing – nothing that advertises a recovery treatment center.

All clients are treated with the utmost discretion – we are not a group “facility”. You’ll stay in a private luxury villa near the beach with all modern amenities, including swimming pool, Wi-Fi, A/C, etc. Our villas are situated in quiet neighbourhoods of Sanur, which is a quaint coastal town. Read more about Sanur in our Bali and Travel FAQs below.

During assessment, we discuss nutritional requirements with the client (i.e. allergies, food intolerances, likes and dislikes). Our private chef creates beautiful, balanced meals with appropriate servings of protein, vegetables, carbs and fruits. We always have plenty of fresh juices, tea (breakfast, green, fruit infusions according to your tastes), coconut water and coffee on hand as well as healthy snacks such as fruits, nuts and other items of the client’s choosing. We will ensure the villa is stocked according to your preferences.

We discuss telephone and computer usage with the client upon admission. Typically, we look at phone and computer usage as an opportunity for the client to work on developing healthy patterns of behaviour with their technology. We do not take away things that restrict clients from interacting with the outside world unless they would be harmful; this way, clients are able to work through their problems in a supportive environment.

Traditional group rehabs will take away phones and online privileges or put limits and rules around very restricted usage. We believe that it is better for the client to develop healthy habits and interactions while they are in treatment rather than hope they can somehow develop them once they are back in society.

See our comments below regarding business responsibilities.

We have plenty of flexibility regarding the client’s business responsibilities. Factoring in the time zone of their place of employment, we are able to schedule our counselling sessions, recovery tools sessions, wellness programs and other activities accordingly.

When an American executive came to us for a 3 month treatment program we were able to structure 2 hours of uninterrupted time for her in the early morning hours so that she could focus on business. Following that, she enjoyed yoga, a healthy lunch, and then program activities such as counselling, recovery tools sessions and outreach activities.

Yes, your family is welcome to visit you at The Lighthouse. It is often helpful for family members to come and learn more about addiction and to see the progress you are making in recovery. It is often suggested that the family visit in the 3rd or 4th week of the client’s program. In addition, we are happy to offer family and/or couple’s counselling sessions. The 12 step meetings in Sanur are “open” meetings, meaning that people other than alcoholics or addicts are welcome to attend to learn more about the 12 step philosophies – joining the client at one or two meetings is also encouraged. Again, each case is unique – It will be important for you to discuss your specific family dynamic with your counsellor and primary support worker.

Yes, as noted above, family counselling and/or couples counselling is available and encouraged, depending on your needs and wants. All of our counsellors are trained professionals and have extensive experience working with the various family dynamics that often present with addiction and/or dual diagnosis clients.

Our clients stay in hand-picked, upscale, full-service villas with modern amenities, situated in a quiet setting close to the beach. Each client is treated with the utmost dignity and respect by caring and professional staff who are experienced in meeting the specific needs of individuals who are also in need of recovery from substance abuse.

Before the client leaves treatment, they spend several counselling and recovery tools sessions addressing transition back into their home environment and a thorough relapse prevention plan and exit strategy are created. The plan is designed for use in structuring the client’s time once they return home to implement the healthy tools they have established in treatment – exercise, healthy eating, recovery support from the community, etc.

We offer continued counselling sessions with the client via Skype and continual contact with the client’s primary recovery coach via WhatsApp, Skype, Email and phone.

Yes, we have many former clients who are willing to talk about their experience. We would be happy to provide you with names and numbers.

A 50% deposit is required to secure your place. Please bear in mind that we only take 3 people at any one time. The remaining balance must be settled prior to the treatment commencement date. The easiest way to pay is by bank transfer – please contact us for our bank details.

Travelling to Bali

Yes, and they are issued on arrival in the airport in Bali so you do not need to do anything prior to arrival. Over 140 countries are eligible for a free visa on arrival which is for a maximum stay of 30 days and cannot be extended. In case you stay longer than 30 days we recommend buying the Visa on Arrival

Queue at the Visa on Arrival counter at the airport and pay US 35 for the extendable 30 day tourist visa. This visa can be extended here in Bali for a further 30 days which gives you much more flexibility and negates the need for stressful and more costly trips out to Singapore should you decide to stay a little longer. We will coordinate your visa extension while you are here.

Important note: Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months or else Indonesia will NOT allow you into the country and your airline will NOT let you on the plane. Make sure your passport has 6 months validity and 2 clean pages for your visa stamps.

Check here for more detailed visa information

Bali is an island of Indonesia in South East Asia. Bali is situated 8 degrees from the equator and is a 2 hour 45 minute flight from Singapore and 2 hours 30 minutes from Australia.

There is one main airport on Bali which is called Ngurah Rai International airport. It is located in Denpasar which is Bali’s main town. If you are searching for flights you can search for “Bali” or “Denpasar”. The international airport code is “DPS”.

Sanur is a small beach town located in the south of Bali on the East coast. It is a 30 minute drive from the airport. For more information about Sanur please see our Sanur information page here

Yes. Bali is a peaceful island with the local people practicing Balinese Hinduism. Sanur is a small town with a strong sense of community and you’ll see ceremonies and offerings daily. The local people are incredibly friendly, honest and generous with their smiles!

Bali is generally hot and sunny. There is a rainy season from December to February. Rain usually falls heavily for a short duration in the afternoon or during the night, leaving the rest of the day warm and sunny. All accommodations are air conditioned for your comfort and our villas have private pools.

No immunisations are necessary for travelling to Bali.

The national language of Indonesia is “Bahasa Indonesia” and there is also a local Balinese dialect. The local people in Sanur are very familiar with tourists and speak English – some more fluently than others but you won’t have any problems in shops etc.

  • Flip flops or comfortable walking sandals
  • Light t-shirts and shorts
  • Pullover for in the evenings
  • A waterproof jacket in case of showers.
  • Sleep wear
  • Exercise and swim wear

It is important you are comfortable so bear that in mind when packing.

Remember to also bring any electronics you want and chargers, etc.

All of your living expenses are included in your program. The only items not included are cigarettes, extra-ordinary weekend activities and any additional shopping / activities which you wish to engage in.

Credit cards are widely accepted in major stores but usually with a 5% charge. There are many ATM’s in Sanur close to your accommodation. If you bring cash with you it can be changed at local money changers for Indonesian Rupiah (local currency), rates vary but we will take you to the most reputable money changers in the area.

Check www.xe.com for up to date exchange rates.

Detox

The critical first step in freeing yourself from an alcohol or drug addiction is ridding your body of existing toxins. This process is known as detoxing, which is the initial period of abstaining from drugs and / or alcohol after a period of drinking or drug use. Trying to detox yourself at home, often known as going “cold turkey”, can have dangerous, even grave, consequences – and for many of us it is an option we have tried many times and failed. A medical detox is when a Doctor prescribes medication to assist you with withdrawal symptoms.

Whether alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both, addiction can quickly destroy individual lives, not to mention the lives of family members and others who are impacted by the addiction. Unfortunately, many people continue to abuse substances knowingly in order to avoid withdrawing. In some cases, the addict has tried to withdraw on their own and has found the process excruciating. Sometimes, the very thought of the physically and psychologically challenging aspects are enough to keep someone using or drinking.

Of course, the act of clearing out the body of alcohol and/or drugs is the first step towards true freedom and a healthier and happier life. Embarking on the process may be the most courageous thing you do. Once the body is no longer physically dependant on alcohol or drugs, the healing can begin.



At The Lighthouse Bali, our medical and support staff have years of experience helping clients detox from alcohol, marijuana, heroin, morphine, Fentanyl, Oxycontin, Oxycodone, cocaine, crystal meth (ICE), Xanax, Valium and other benzodiazepines and many other substances.

The process begins with our physician assessing your specific circumstances (what substances have been used, what quantities, over what period of time, etc.). The physician then structures an appropriate detox regime, often with the use of medication, to assist you through the process. The length of time for detox and the medication utilized depends on the doctor’s expert assessment.

After your initial medical assessment, you’ll be settled in to a quiet, safe, clean and comfortable – villa for your detox process. You’ll have 24 hour support from our rehabilitation team as well as our expert detox support staff.

How will withdrawal feel? Will detox be uncomfortable, painful or embarrassing? How will I handle the stress and emotional pain of life without drugs or drinking? How long is it going to take? Understanding how drug and alcohol detoxification works often alleviates most of these concerns.

Detox is the time your body rids itself of the harmful substances you have been abusing.  During this initial phase of the recovery period, you will experience both psychological and physical restorations to your body and mind. You may experience withdrawal effects and prescription medication may be prescribed to alleviate these effects following your initial medical assessment. With any drug detoxification program, it is important to consider that it is not designed to completely cure addiction, but rather, begin your recovery process.

Recovering from dependence requires going through a period of adjustment as the brain, nervous system and vital organs return to a substance-free state. During this phase, your body will react to the absence of alcohol and/or drugs in different ways. Some of the following symptoms may be experienced – which is why you are strongly advised to enter a rehabilitation program or have on hand, professional assistance during this period:

  • Overwhelming cravings for drugs and/or alcohol
  • Nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea
  • Chills, cold sweats and goose bumps
  • Tremors or seizures
  • Muscle and joint pain
  • Irritability, anxiety or hostility
  • Depression and suicidal thoughts
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Extreme hunger
  • Physical and emotional fatigue
  • Difficulty concentrating and remembering

Drugs and alcohol affect brain chemistry, creating a sense of euphoria or relaxation. When the substance use is stopped, you may feel depressed, angry or tired as your brain chemistry adjusts.

The severity and duration of your withdrawal symptoms will depend on a number of factors, including:

  • The length of time you’ve been drinking alcohol and/or using drugs
  • The amount of alcohol and/or drugs you’ve been taking
  • Whether you abuse multiple substances
  • Whether you have co-existing physical or psychological health conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, depression or an anxiety disorder

The goals of our detox programs include both physical and physiological healing. These are obtained first through stabilization, then through a period of detoxification. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), after stabilization the focus of detox shifts to the monitoring and support of the various processes of the body as it rids itself of the drug, and to managing the often unpleasant withdrawal symptoms that can result.

Withdrawing in a supportive, comfortable environment with trained staff will make the process much easier.