September 11, 2010
Balinese road to recovery
Just opened in Bali is Sober Haven Bali, a resort for people recovering from addictions. The Seminyak property is the realisation of a dream for Australian businessman Brian H who, in the tradition of recovering addicts, does not reveal his surname.
Brian has been in a 12-step recovery program since 1984 and believes there is a need for the kind of holiday he has created.
''SBH is not a treatment centre,'' says Brian, who has business interests in Asia and in Australia. ''In fact, we prefer guests who are at least 90 days clean and sober. It's a boutique holiday experience in a totally positive and supportive and temptation-free environment, which allows you to stay close to your program surrounded by fellow 12-steppers.''
The staff, including tour leaders and surf instructors, are also members of 12-step programs. (The regime was started by Alcoholics Anonymous but is now used to treat various addictions.)
There are 12-step meetings in the morning and evening but Brian says the focus of Sober Haven Bali is to enrich people's lives by active participation. Hence, accommodation packages include complimentary massages, surfing lessons, yoga, cooking, hiking and tours. As with countless others in Bali, the resort has an Eat Pray Love tour to locations in the coming movie.
Sober Haven Bali can accommodate 15 but Brian intends to keep the numbers below that. It has a spa, swimming pool and meditation areas in tropical gardens.
He welcomes partners of recovering addicts and guests who want to have a holiday in a drug- and alcohol-free environment. However, he says most inquiries are from single travellers in recovery mode.
Sober Haven Bali's eight-day Eat Pray Love package includes accommodation, meals, transfers, tours, yoga, meditation, a spa treatment and the tour for $US2595 ($2850).
See www.soberhavenbali.com.
http://www.smh.com.au/travel/sobering-thoughts-in-bali-20100910-1549x.html
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