The Rise of Luxury Treatment Centres

‘Luxury’ and ‘rehab’ may not immediately go together in our minds. The common perceptions of mental health and addiction facilities have been coloured by popular media. The phrase ‘rehab centre’ may conjure the image of a grey, crowded ward. But this is outdated and is not reflective of today’s standard of care. Today, rehab can come in many different forms. One of these forms is luxury rehab. Luxury addiction treatment is becoming an increasingly popular avenue for many people. But what is it that makes luxury rehabs so special? What has led to this increase in demand for more bespoke intervention?

Rehab treatment: a quick history

Luxury rehabs are a relatively new invention. Humans have struggled with mental health issues for the whole of civilisation. We can tell from ancient records and texts that addiction has coloured the human experience for centuries upon centuries. Homer, for example, noted the elusive, dangerous allure of ‘the nepenthes’ in the epic Greek poem, The Odyssey. This description is thought to reference the potent, psychotropic power of drugs like opium and cannabis. As a society, we have battled with substances for a long time. But despite this, formal addiction treatment is a relatively new enterprise.

Early rehabs

The first ‘official’ drug treatment centre was opened in the 1930s. Named the US Narcotic Farm, the Kentucky centre was created by the government.  In retrospect, we can see that the running of this centre was the beginning of a devastating history of patient neglect. Thankfully, there has been great progress since this dark period in history.

Between the 1950s and the 1990s, addiction rehab centres began to pop up across America and the UK. But it wasn’t until the advent of rigorous and empathy-based clinical research that these centres began taking an appropriately sensitive approach.

Rehab today

Today, addiction rehabs function in a few key stages:

1. Detox
2. Rehabilitative therapy
3. Aftercare

These stages have been shown to be clinically effective in helping individuals to manage addiction symptoms. This approach to recovery has been ongoing for several decades. Updates and changes are made within these structures as and when research suggests it is needed. Largely though, these stages remain the same.

But, if this approach to rehab is so tried and tested, then what has led to the rise of a new type of centre – the luxury rehab?

The drive for private rehab

Between 2022 and 2023, there were 290,635 in contact with addictions services in England. [7] Each year, this number appears to be increasing. Recent research indicates that there is a very large unmet treatment need. This suggests that there are a high number of people struggling with substance use without adequate support.

An estimated:

• 47% of opiate users,
• 60% of crack cocaine users,
• And 83% of dependent drinkers

are not in rehab.

This indicates that there are significant barriers to accessing addiction support. There can be many reasons for this.

One potential answer is the NHS’s struggle to maintain support for all who require treatment. In the UK, access to inpatient rehab through the NHS is often a last case scenario. Other treatment options are often exhausted first to address difficult symptoms in a faster time frame. This means that many people may find themselves on waiting lists for inpatient NHS treatment.There has also been a shortage in beds in NHS mental health facilities.

These increased waiting times can be undesirable – and even dangerous – in some situations. This has potentially provided a requirement for an additional form of support – help from the private sector.

Private and luxury rehab: what’s the difference?

Private rehab is any non-NHS (or fee-paying) addiction and mental health treatment. This kind of treatment is usually offered by specialist providers who solely practice this type of intervention.

Luxury rehabs are typically private rehabs with additional, unique services. Additional extras available from providers can range from:

• 24-7 staff support
• A bespoke programme of daily therapies
• On-site gym exercise
• On-site pool exercise
• Wellness facilities (such as saunas)
• Idyllic, natural settings
• Large, mindfully decorated private rooms
• En-suites
• Catering services
• Access to private chefs
• Bespoke nutrition advice
• Cleaning services
• Laundry services
• Unique therapeutic opportunities

On the surface, all these elements might seem like pleasant bonuses. Small changes that perhaps give us a superficial boost. But there is more to these additional extras. All of these options reinforce the key tenets of recovery, helping you by:

• Creating clean and relaxing surroundings
• Spending time in the soothing natural environment
• Diffusing tension
• Fostering complete focus on your treatment
• Time away from the bustle of contemporary life
• Attending to good nutrition
• Increasing the chances of good quality sleep
• Offering privacy and reduced anxiety
• Encouraging healthy engagement with exercise
• Helping you to listen to the needs of your body
• A ‘home away from home’ atmosphere
• Environments conducive to mindfulness and meditation
• Offering a space for peer connection
• Chances for recreational and leisure engagement
• Access to holistic and experimental therapies

Holistic care

Luxury rehab thinks about the experience of the client from all angles. It has been designed to really consider how treatment can incorporate:

• The mind
• The body
• The soul

This kind of support is holistic; it attends to each individual as a whole. By promoting comfort in all these three areas, you can exit out of routines of fight and flight. This promotion of calm allows you to let you guard down and enter a state of deep relaxation. Within this safe space, you can feel more ready to tackle some of the darker, more difficult elements of psychological distress.

Feeling safe and calm is a huge advantage. When we feel protected, we can introspect and reflect more. This encourages sharing and open communication, which in turn leads to growth. This can lead to very open interactions with therapists and clinicians, as well as with our peers. These moments can act as small pockets of progress – windows into a future of calmer life in the long-term.

This may also lead you to feel more confident to try new things. Luxury rehabs often offer unique alternative therapies alongside more traditional support. If you feel like trying something new, you may have the opportunity to engage with:

• Art therapy
• Adventure therapy
• Drumming therapy
• Music therapy
• Animal therapy
• Play therapy
• Yoga
• Mindfulness

Luxury centres are specialist facilities that are designed with spaces for these types of intervention in mind. You may have the opportunity to engage in yoga or sound therapy in a lush garden, or experiment with art therapy in a large, inspiring space.

Whatever you are experiencing, there is a package of luxury rehab appropriate for you and your current needs.

Explore the possibilities of private rehab

If you are concerned that your substance use is spiralling out of control, then it is time to access support. From outpatient programmes to supported detoxes and residential care, rehab for drug addiction comes in all forms.

At UKAT, there is an appropriate route to recovery for everyone. We pride ourselves on offering a sensitive, professional and reassuring hand to those who need it. Contact us today to seek judgment-free, specialist advice from a member of our admissions team.