Testimonials

At DARA, our primary goal is to provide the very best rehabilitation therapy we possibly can. We also aim to provide the highest level of accommodation, food, activities and service, and do so at an affordable price.

Below are some of the comments our guests have shared with us:

Lauren wrote:
"Changed my life. Thai staff lovely, therapists very skilled.

Other clients changed my life.

Thank you very much. I feel like a new person with a lot of tools to continue my adulthood minus substance abuse.

DARA is a really special place."

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Eija wrote:
"I love the fact that everything is provided effortlessly. The place is stunning accommodation. Luxurious. Reminds how beautiful life can be, how healthy life can be. Water workouts are a great way to wake up and lots of fun. Message is amazing. Yuwadee helped with years old issues in the body. Thai staff is kind, DARA staff very understanding and patient and I felt respected and lived and treated well."

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Joe wrote:
"Pippa was fantastic, thanks! Scheduling is a triumph also. You are doing great work, all of you, at DARA. Thank you."

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Ellen wrote:
"I just really lucked out! I couldn’t have picked a better rehab."

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John wrote:
"I feel that DARA is creating its own niche in recovery. I appreciate that its basic promise change comes from within and give one tools to make that change. It’s refreshing to see addiction as a behavior and not an illness that implicates you to a life of helpless recovery."

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Bill wrote:
"Well worth it.

With no expectations, there are no disappointments. Had I had expectations, DARA has exceeded those I might have had. My thanks to all the counselors. This facility is impeccably managed, the care given to me amazing. I walked in broken, I leave with hope. My new day has arrived."

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JoJo wrote:
"DARA was better than I could have imagined. One of the best months in my life."

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Matt wrote:
"This place is truly amazing. You have helped me in so many ways and I am very grateful for that. Having clients and staff from around the world makes this place unique, along with being located in a beautiful setting assuring peace of mind during the recovery process."

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G.A.S. wrote:
"Exceeded all expectations. I was specifically impressed with the genuine and sincere care and concern for my well-being. Also for my growth within the program. Yes, it comes from within and what you put in, but I know that the management and staff truly are dedicated. I’m also impressed with the aftercare program. I want to partake and re-visit for the refresher."

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Annie wrote:
"DARA truly has been a life-altering experience for me. Not only were my 1:1 meetings of great benefit, but also the interactions that took place during group meetings were essential to my recovery. All of this hard emotional work was softened by good food, wonderful massages and a relaxed natural atmosphere. I can’t thank DARA enough."

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Daniella wrote:
"It’s a wonderful place to be."

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Chris H. wrote:
"An exceptionally supportive, challenging and rewarding experience, and one of the most important four-week periods in my life.

There may be other rehab centres elsewhere…but I simply do not understand how any of them could come close to matching DARA for the overall “package” of price, therapy, accommodation, food, and friendship."

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John W. wrote:
"Counsellors are the stars! Flexible program for retunees was perfect, but send day 1-7 choices before arrival.

Thank you."

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Ross wrote:
"Accommodation
Dara is situated in a luxury resort and the accommodation reflects this. The Various levels of accommodation are excellent with air-conditioning, large comfortable beds and ample space. Housekeeping is daily, as is the laundry. The latter service was exceptional, and I could not fault it. Housekeeping on the whole was also excellent; except for the replacement of items like conditioner/body wash which was initially overlooked but merely a matter I think of staff training, All the villas are enveloped by trees and ferns in an extremely tranquil setting. Sea glimpses and beautiful sunsets provide a peaceful, harmonious and safe place for rehabilitation.

Food
Having so many differing cultures and culinary need requirements; from such a variety of clients; would challenge even the most resourceful chef. The buffet style meals of predominately Thai/Asian origin are a tour of the local cuisine. However I was always amazed at the staff’s willingness to prepare separate dishes on short notice at the request of several clients; always with a smile, and a genuine desire to please with the outcome.

Value
Suffice to say, that even as a holiday destination (excluding the value of the rehabilitation therapy) DARA represents exceptional value for money.

I would suggest that this must be one of the most cost effective treatments available. That stated it in no way detracts from the quality of therapy and care given, which is first rate.

Administration
DARA is currently going through a major growth period where I understand the client numbers are targeted to reach 30. Logistically and operationally there will obviously be teething problems, and further challenges to be met. However as an overall impression I feel the organization is dealing well with those challenges especially given the short time a lot of the staff have been on board

Therapy
Impressions on the delivery of therapy are always going to be personal to each client. I can only relate to DARA through my reasons for coming, expectations and outcome.

I chose DARA for the CBT programme not withstanding that I did not have an in depth knowledge of the 12 step alternative. However I did like the idea of being able to retrain my thoughts and actions and to be able to come to terms with the reasons behind my addictive behavior.

The programme rewards a desire to learn and change

It provides a caring and safe environment to explore those issues, events and consequent behaviours that brought me to the point of finally seeking help.

I was challenged and on reflection came to relish that as a starting point for looking inward.

I commend the diversity and dedication of the counselors and especially the thought and caring of my personal counselor Raymond.

I am leaving DARA with a growing exuberance and calmness that I cannot recall feeling before; period. I also feel secure in knowing that support is only a Skype call away.

I will be back for the follow up week and sincerely hope a refresher programme is made available for those of us who just need that extra support from time to time.

The camaraderie and friendship amongst the clients has proved to be an integral part of the process and I had been fortunate to make many close friends.

I would totally recommend considering DARA Thailand to anyone seeking therapy. Whilst it is obviously an individual’s decision, my experience has exceeded all my expectations "

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Emily wrote wrote:
"It’s hard to put into words just how grateful I am to all the staff at DARA for what they’ve done for me. I’ve been cared for, exercised, challenged, looked out for, entertained, massaged, listened to and encouraged.

I am particularly thankful to Carol, Raymond & David for supporting me through the inevitable ups and downs I experienced here. For the first time in such a long, long time I feel hopeful about the future.

If any future potential clients would like to speak with someone who has been through the program – please let me know.

I will never forget the people I’ve met here and you each hold a special place in my heart. "

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Luigi wrote:
"I had a wonderful experience at DARA and for the first time I had nothing to complain about a rehab I had stayed in or seen."

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Stacey wrote:
"This has been a wonderful experience. From the facility, to the food, to the staff, everything has been excellent and far exceeds my expectations. Yuwadee and Paul are exceptional at what they do, and are both extremely kind and positive people. Tim is an excellent counselor and very intuitive. Laura is a good and much-need addition to the team. Kitchen staffs are very accommodating. Both outings were good – Lagoona and Thai cooking. Wish I had more shopping time, but I understand the reason for the limitations, Grounds are well kept."

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Theressa wrote:
"I would not hesitate to recommend DARA as a 1st class treatment centre in every respect (especially reference to the counseling). The staff (at all level) is amazing, brilliant, fantastic…congratulations on a successful team.

Daily program, accommodation, food, fitness facilities together contributed to my having a very positive experience.

Thank you."

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Elizabeth wrote:
"All is going well for me, 9 months now! Still doing lots of exercise, have lost 7 kg’s since I saw you last, feeling better for it.  Work going well, just the usual juggling act of work, family, exercise and trying to look after myself! So far so good.  I continue to be very grateful for the opportunity I had at DARA and how it has changed my life – no going back for me, am so used to this way of living that ‘this’ is normal for me now. Anyway feel like I was given a second chance.  Thanks for your great support.  Hope all is well for you and your family.

Best regards and hi to the team from me"

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Simon wrote:
"I would highly recommend DARA to anyone serious about changing their life in a positive way. Rehab alone can’t always produce miracles, but DARA certainly gave me the time, space, confidence and motivation to make a radical and positive change in my lifestyle.

The facilities were top quality, and this took a lot of stress out of a potentially uncomfortable situation. Accommodation, food and service from the staff were all exceptional.

The holistic approach including therapy, exercise, meditation and relaxation works at many levels, and brought about a gentle and yet profound change in my personal outlook. I can honestly say it was a life changing experience, and can only thank everyone involved.

Considering the entire package, I can say I was entirely satisfied, and believe it represents excellent value for money. I look back on my stay with many fond memories."

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Natasha wrote:
"I was pleased that I made the choice to attend DARA. I gained insight on myself through therapy sessions which enables me to step back and think more before acting or impulse decisions. I increased my self-esteem and confidence levels and continue to work on putting myself in positive outcome situations to aid this. I have tools to utilize to help me make the right choices in dealing with my addiction. The programme allowed me to stop and look at my life, and possible changes that need to be made for me."

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David wrote:
"I have to tell you that you [a treatment staff member] are one of the few persons that has left a ‘mark’ on my life. I admire your inner strength, great personality, and humanity. I am very honored to have met you."

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Suki wrote:
"The whole experience has been amazing and exceeded my expectations. I have found an inner peace that was truly missing from my life 28 days ago.

DARA isn’t just a rehab, it’s a 360 degree experience! Fantastic counselors, meditation and P.T."

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Todd wrote:
"I was extremely impressed with everything.

The Facility
- Very stylish decor.
- I have never seen any hotel/resort do laundry in such an easy and fast manner.
- Little things like clothe hand towels in all the public restrooms (Rehabs don’t do that)
- Amenities in the room were extremely well  thought out.

Staff – Professional
- I felt my tools and education I acquired will be highly more effective in my recovery than what I have experience elsewhere
- CBT works much better than 12-Steps for many!

Staff – House
- The Thai people are extremely friendly, hard working and terribly considerate"

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D.B. wrote:
"This was an excellent experience overall and I think it has brought changes to my life. Hopefully they will be lasting. I appreciated the good balance between group and individual therapy, and the exercise etc. For me personally I found the restrictions on movement outside the resort to be irksome, but understand that the rules need to apply to all equally. However I think that movement outside should be negotiable for clients in their last week or two – its an important element of preparation for re-entry to normal life. I like the philosophy of DARA and think you have an excellent model."

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Patrick wrote:
"I’ve had a look at your review form and can say that I don’t have much to add except for the usual plaudits of a client who was fully satisfied with the services provided by the entire staff during my stay.  I can’t think of anything critical to highlight or anything more to suggest on top of what you guys are already planning for the program.  I CAN say that [a treatment staff member] was an excellent ‘fit’ for me.  He ‘lead’ me perfectly and challenged me to face what I needed to address to come to grips with my addiction.  That said, I must add that his’s contribution was matched in equal measures by i) insights gained from the other counsellors (the RP sessions were of particular value); and ii) insights gained from sharing experiences with other clients during my stay.

I can also say that I am still quite keen on coming for the ‘refresher’ in maybe 6 months’ time and I would be keen to hear from you as to how that works.  I am sure that my recovery will have progressed to a new phase by then and that I could benefit from some additional ‘wisdom’ which might be appropriate to my circumstances at that time.  I would also love to see how the program has evolved by then!"

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