Welcome to the East West Support Network
This is where we meet to help each other through good and bad times, to share our news, to give and receive help and find out what’s going on. We are people, just like yourself, who have been through the Thamkrabok journey.
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Meet our coordinators:
Charlie Stewart
I was stuck on substitute prescription drugs for years just like my best friend Phra Greg who I finally caught up with at Thamkrabok after 3 years. He originally took my place with East West Detox, after I changed my mind at the last moment choosing another path which led nowhere. I am now drug free and have returned to Thamkrabok after the sudden death of my best friend Phra Greg to take over his responsibilities and become Coordinator at Thamkrabok for the East West Support Network and Research Project.
Natalie
I spent years on heroin, crack and prescription drugs including methadone. Reaching my rock bottom I desperately sought a way out. Thamkrabok seemed to be the only place where I would finally be able to get rid of all the drugs, without substituting something else. I was finally able to sort my life out and fight for what I had lost so long ago. Thamkrabok helped me to find inner peace and face all my demons without being forced to engage with people in the UK who did not have a clue, so many times, about where I was really coming from. Everybody in the Thamkrabok treatment centre had been where I had been, they understood. After a few months of being clean and strong I went back to the Monastery and spent over four years as a support worker helping Westerners and Thai women. Now over five years later of still being clean, I am a proud mother and studying for a degree in Criminology and Psychology. I continue to work along side Thamkrabok and East West Detox giving support and advice.
See article Spirit and Destiny
Sarah
The first couple of times that I tried giving up heroin I found myself on medication going round in circles stuck on methadone and subutex. I realised there was a lack of choice with treatments until I found East-West Detox. This was something that I believed in and knew that the treatment would help my mind, body & spirit. I was lucky to get funded by Reading, Berkshire NHS PCT and DAAT. Going to Thamkrabok was an eye opener and the greatest achievement in my life. I would recommend it to all users above any treatment in the UK which are just limited to dealing with symptoms. You need to deal with the demons within rather than supressing them with medications.
See article Reading Evening Post
Mick
Thamkrabok Monastery is an intriguing alternative to western treatment. The beautiful mountain setting, accompanied with the wisdom and serenity of the monks, provide a spiritually rich setting, far away from negative attachments back home.
Nick
Nick has now completed five trips to Thamkrabok as a buddy to patients from the UK. He has been in recovery himself for over 18 years and is interested in the similarities between the Buddhist teaching at Thamkrabok and 12 Step spirituality. For his day job Nick works with homeless people with mental health problems for a voluntary sector organisation in Reading and is also an experienced practice teacher for social work students. In his spare time Nick enjoys growing fruit and vegetables on his allotment with his wife Tracey, playing guitar at his church and being a member of a Christian Meditation group. He believes, like the monks of Thamkrabok, that meditation is the key to recovery.
Nicholas
I am currently coordinating the East West Support Network, so if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask.
I visited Thamkrabok in 2004 with Nick and Mike Sarson, supporting a group from UK and Ireland.(You know who you are!) The atmosphere of the Monastery was relaxing and challenging at the same time, providing a chance to reflect. I have been finding time for meditation ever since. I support EWD in various behind the scenes ways, most recently helping with the interactive support web site.
I hope you enjoy meeting the other members and, you never know, some small detail from your experience might just be the thing to encourage someone else.
Annie
In February 2004 I went to the Thamkrabok Monastery to detox from a four year drug addiction. In the UK like many other addicts I was prescribed methadone to help address my large drug dependence which although stabilised me initially and regulated my drug intake in time created its own problem as in its self methadone is an addictive drug and a substitute that soon becomes the main contributor to your dependence and problem.
After many failed attempts to detox Thamkrabok offered the all round solution to my desperate and unhappy lifestyle. It taught me that rehabilitation is not just physical but psychological and spiritual to, and in order to heal yourself you need to attend to every aspect of the mind, body and soul! The success rate proves this to be true and that you cannot just solve a problem by covering up or eliminating the enemy. i.e. you can’t cure a heroine addiction by covering up with methadone and you can’t stop drug dependence by banning drugs. I wish anyone who is going to the monastery the best of luck, courage and strength and welcome those who have been, to a fresh start and contented, happy lifestyle. I offer my support to all!
Tariq
One evening in 2003, I watched a BBC documentary about Thamkrabok, and was very inspired by the natural and holistic approach used in rehabilitation.Especially striking for me, was the aspect that encourages people to tap into and utilize their own inner resources.
As someone who has meditated for some years and feels it has been of great benefit, the inclusion of this as one of the aids to recovery was very exciting to see.So much so, that later that year, while I was travelling in Thailand I visited Thamkrabok and met Mike and some guests from England. I stayed for 3-4 days and was amazed at the unique environment, and even more inspired by the people I met there.
In a nutshell, I feel Thamkrabok offers an approach and environment to help bring about a profoundly beneficial change within.