Addiction Treatment Programme in Thailand
A structured, residential programme near Chiang Mai combining evidence-based therapy, medical oversight, fitness, and 12 months of aftercare.
- Individual treatment plan with psychiatric assessment
- CBT, trauma therapy, motivational interviewing
- Medical detox with on-site oversight
- Daily fitness, yoga, and mindfulness practice
- 12 months of online aftercare included
Available Monday–Saturday, 9am–6pm (Thailand time)
Contact AdmissionsTreatment works best when the whole person is addressed — not just the substance. Change the thinking, change the behaviour, rebuild the body, and recovery becomes possible. — One Step Clinical Team
What the Programme Looks Like
One Step runs a structured residential inpatient programme near Chiang Mai, Thailand. Clients live on-site for a minimum of 28 days — though many stay 6 to 12 weeks, depending on their substance, severity of use, and any co-occurring mental health conditions.
The programme was developed over twenty years of clinical practice and has been used to treat more than 5,000 people. It combines CBT-based therapy with fitness, mindfulness, and body-based modalities — designed around each client's specific needs.
- Residential inpatient setting — structured daily routine, no phones in the first week
- Visiting psychiatrist — medication management and mental health assessment
- Individual treatment plans — built around your substance, history, and goals
- 12 months of aftercare — weekly online therapy and alumni groups after discharge
Five Pillars of Treatment
Every client's plan is built around these five areas. The balance shifts depending on your substance, mental health profile, and stage of recovery.
Medical Detox & Stabilisation
Mild to moderate detoxes are managed on-site with medical oversight. Severe or high-risk withdrawal — particularly from alcohol and benzodiazepines — is handled at our nearby partner hospital before clients transition to the residential programme. A visiting psychiatrist provides assessment and medication management.
Evidence-Based Therapy
The core of the programme. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) adapted for addiction, motivational interviewing, trauma-informed care including TRE and EMDR, and structured relapse prevention. Clients learn to identify distorted thinking, manage cravings, and build a discharge plan.
Group & Individual Counselling
Daily group sessions build peer accountability and shared understanding. Individual counselling sessions address personal history, trauma, and specific recovery goals. Family therapy sessions are available for clients who want to involve partners or relatives.
Fitness & Nutrition
Morning exercise, structured gym sessions, and yoga help restore dopamine balance and regulate mood. Meals are designed to support brain recovery — balanced nutrition, regular meal times, and no processed sugar or caffeine during early treatment.
Mindfulness & Body-Based Therapies
Mindfulness meditation, breathing exercises, and somatic practices like TRE (Tension & Trauma Releasing Exercises) help clients process stored tension and regulate their nervous system. These aren't add-ons — they are built into the daily schedule.
A Typical Day at One Step
Every day follows a structured routine. Predictability reduces anxiety and builds the habits that support recovery after you leave.
Morning Fitness
The day starts with physical activity — gym training, circuit work, or yoga. Exercise restores dopamine function, improves sleep, and sets a positive tone for the day.
Group Therapy
Facilitated group sessions covering addiction neuroscience, CBT exercises, relapse prevention, denial patterns, and peer accountability. This is where most of the therapeutic work happens.
Individual Counselling
One-on-one sessions with your assigned counsellor. These sessions focus on personal history, trauma processing, and building your individual discharge plan using the Three Circles model.
Afternoon Workshops & Activities
Psychoeducation workshops, mind-mapping exercises, art therapy, or recreational activities. Afternoons also include time for assignments, journaling, and personal reflection.
Mindfulness & Body Work
Guided meditation, breathing exercises, TRE, or yoga. These sessions help regulate the nervous system and process tension stored in the body.
Evening Reflection
Evening check-in groups, SMART Recovery or 12-Step meetings, and free time. Clients reflect on the day, connect with peers, and wind down before a 10pm lights-out.
For a detailed breakdown, see our full treatment schedule.
Therapy Modalities We Use
Our founders pioneered the use of CBT for addiction treatment in Southeast Asia. The One Step to Recovery™ system has been refined over two decades and is now the standard in Thai rehabs. Here's what each client has access to:
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) — addiction-focused CBT addressing negative self-talk, core beliefs, and the ABC (Activators, Beliefs, Consequences) model
- Motivational Enhancement Therapy — building internal motivation to change, especially for clients who are ambivalent about treatment
- Trauma-Informed Care — TRE (Tension & Trauma Releasing Exercises) and EMDR for processing traumatic experiences without re-traumatisation
- Group Therapy — facilitated sessions for peer support, denial work, and relapse-prevention planning
- Family Therapy — video-based family sessions to repair relationships and establish healthy boundaries
- Mindfulness & Meditation — daily practice to improve emotional regulation, reduce reactivity, and manage cravings
Contact our admissions team for a free, confidential assessment. We will explain how the programme works, answer your questions, and help you decide if One Step is the right fit.
Get in TouchFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the treatment programme at One Step Rehab.
The programme combines five pillars: medical detox and stabilisation, evidence-based therapy (CBT, motivational interviewing, trauma processing), group and individual counselling, fitness and nutrition, and mindfulness and body-based therapies. Every client also receives 12 months of online aftercare after leaving.
We recommend a minimum of 28 days. Many clients stay 6 to 12 weeks, depending on their substance, severity of use, and any co-occurring mental health conditions. Longer stays allow deeper therapeutic work and build stronger foundations for life after treatment. Read more about treatment duration options.
Yes. Mild to moderate detoxes are managed on-site with medical oversight. Severe or high-risk detoxes — particularly alcohol and benzodiazepine withdrawal — are handled at our nearby partner hospital, after which clients return to the residential programme. Learn more about our detox process.
Days run from 7am to 10pm. Mornings start with fitness or yoga, followed by group therapy. Late mornings include individual counselling. Afternoons feature workshops, psychoeducation, and recreational activities. Evenings include reflection groups, SMART Recovery or 12-Step meetings, and free time. See our full daily schedule.
Core therapies include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) adapted for addiction, motivational enhancement therapy, trauma-informed care (TRE and EMDR), group therapy, individual counselling, family therapy, and mindfulness meditation. A visiting psychiatrist provides psychiatric assessment and medication management when needed.
Every client receives 12 months of online aftercare therapy — weekly individual and group sessions with our clinical team. This is included in the programme fee and is unique among Thailand-based rehabs. Aftercare helps you stay connected, address challenges as they arise, and maintain the progress you made during treatment. More details on our aftercare programme.
Yes. Every client receives an individual treatment plan built around their substance or behaviour, mental health profile, and personal circumstances. The visiting psychiatrist and psychology team collaborate on initial assessment and make adjustments throughout the stay. The five-pillar structure stays the same, but the emphasis shifts based on your needs.
One Step is a residential rehab located in Mae Rim district, near Chiang Mai in northern Thailand. The facility is surrounded by mountains and rice fields — a calm, natural setting that supports early recovery. Being physically removed from the people, places, and routines that sustain addiction is one of the strongest predictors of early success.
Contact our admissions team for a free, confidential assessment. We will walk you through the programme, answer your questions, and help you decide whether One Step is the right fit — no pressure, no obligation.
We'll respond within 24 hours