Addiction Recovery: There Are Only 5 Options Available
When you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, the first and most difficult step is deciding what to do about it. The choices can feel overwhelming, do you try to stop alone, find local support, or travel abroad for help?
The truth is, when you strip away the noise, there are really only five recovery options available. Each has its benefits and drawbacks. Understanding them clearly can help you make an informed decision that feels right for your circumstances.
This guide walks you through those five options, explains what they involve, and highlights the key considerations. By the end, you’ll have a clearer picture of which path may suit your needs best.
1. Stop by Yourself (Self-Help & Supported by AA/NA)
For many people, the first attempt at recovery is to try stopping on their own.
What it looks like
Making the decision to quit without outside intervention.
Attending local Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meetings.
Using free resources, books, or online support groups.
Use the AA / NA support network to help you get clean and stay clean
Benefits
Free and flexible: You set the pace and schedule.
Privacy: You don’t need to disclose your struggles to a treatment provider.
Accessibility: AA and NA groups meet worldwide, including online.
Challenges
High reliance on willpower: Without professional support, relapse risk is higher.
Limited tools: AA offers powerful peer support, but not medical or psychological care.
Isolation risk: Trying to manage withdrawal or cravings alone can feel overwhelming.
👉 Who it may suit: People with great discipline to maintain the course. People with strong community/peer support.
2. Basic Rehabs eg. Rehabs in Jakarta and Other Similar Cities
Cities like Jakarta, Indonesia has state and private rehab centres, particularly in larger urban areas.
What it looks like
Residential facilities offering detox and rehabilitation.
Structured programs based on abstinence and group work.
Benefits
More accessible if you live in Indonesia.
Lower cost compared to overseas or luxury rehabs / Western Rehabs.
Basic structure: Provides supervision, group therapy, and routine.
Challenges
Variable quality: Reviews are mixed; some facilities are crowded or underfunded.
Clinical environments: Often feel institutional rather than therapeutic.
Limited holistic care: Focus may be on abstinence only, with less attention to mental health, trauma, or lifestyle change.
👉 Who it may suit: People seeking a budget option, where environment and comfort are less of a priority.
3. Exclusive Western-Style Rehabs
These are the “five-star” rehabs often found in Europe, Australia, or North America.
What it looks like
Luxury facilities with private rooms, gourmet meals, and extensive amenities.
Highly structured programs with medical supervision and therapy.
Program lengths typically fixed at 28, 60 or 90 days.
Benefits
World-class clinical support: Detox, therapy, and psychiatry in one place.
Safe and private: High staff-to-client ratios.
Status and discretion: Favoured by executives, professionals, and celebrities.
Challenges
Very expensive: Often USD $20,000–$80,000 per month.
Strict rules: Little flexibility for program tailoring.
Not always holistic: Some focus heavily on the medical model alone.
👉 Who it may suit: High-income individuals seeking maximum comfort and clinical safety.
4. Western-Style Asian Rehabs (e.g. Bali Harmony Rehab)
This model combines the best of structured treatment with a personalised, holistic approach — at a more accessible cost.
What it looks like
Smaller, private centres in places like Bali or Thailand.
Professional staff trained in Western therapeutic models.
Daily program blending clinical therapy with holistic practices.
Benefits
Personalised care: Smaller size allows tailored treatment plans.
Affordability: Costs are far lower than Western rehabs while maintaining high standards.
Holistic therapies: Yoga, meditation, breathwork, nutrition, and trauma-informed care complement clinical therapy.
Healing environment: Bali’s calm, natural setting supports recovery.
Challenges
Travel required: You need to leave your home country.
Perception: Some families may prefer treatment closer to home.
👉 Who it may suit: People seeking professional rehab in a supportive environment without prohibitive costs.
At Bali Harmony Rehab, we follow this model, providing trauma-informed care, personalised programs (28–90 days), Dopamine therapy, RTT® hypnotherapy, 12 Step recover, 1:1 and Group counselling, CBT therapy, yoga, meditation, mindfulness, breath-work, Ayurvedic treatments, and family support. Clients leave with a practical aftercare plan and ongoing support.
Everything you would expect from a traditional rehab plus more!
5. Sober Living in Bali or Other Locations
Sober living is a structured, community-based environment for people who want support without full-time residential treatment.
What it looks like
Shared accommodation with other people in recovery.
House rules (no substances, daily structure, accountability).
Optional therapy, coaching, or work integration.
Benefits
Supportive environment: You’re surrounded by people with the same goals.
Ongoing accountability: Regular check-ins and peer support.
Affordable: Less costly than residential rehab.
Transitional step: Ideal after completing rehab or for those wanting to start rehab but can’t afford full-time commitment.
Challenges
Not full rehab: Doesn’t replace detox or intensive therapy.
Environment dependent: The quality of sober living houses varies widely.
👉 Who it may suit: People who’ve finished rehab and want ongoing support, or those who need a structured environment without medical detox and need time for life aswell.
Which Option Is Right for You?
Every recovery journey is unique. The right choice depends on:
The severity of addiction.
Whether mental health or trauma is also present.
Personal motivation and support networks.
Budget and practical considerations.
Summary comparison:
| Option | Cost | Support Level | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stop by Yourself | Free | Limited | Limited Funds, strong disciplined Individuals, |
| Local Rehab (eg. Jakarta) | Low | Basic | Budget-conscious, local access |
| Exclusive Western Rehab | Very High | High Clinical | High-income, privacy priority |
| Western-Style Asian Rehab | Moderate | High + Holistic | Comprehensive, Private, Affordable care |
| Sober Living | Low–Moderate | Moderate | Transition phase, long-term support, individuals with other committments |
Conclusion
At the end of the day, there are only five real options for addiction recovery. Each comes with strengths and limitations.
What matters most is choosing the path that gives you the best chance at long-term healing. For some, that means starting with AA. For others, it means the structure of rehab. For many, a blend of holistic therapies and clinical support, in a safe, private, and affordable environment, is what makes recovery truly possible.
If you or a loved one is considering treatment, our team at Bali Harmony Rehab is here to help.
We’ll guide you through the options, explain what might suit your circumstances, and support you every step of the way.
Contact us today for a confidential chat about your recovery options.
Reviewed By
Dr. Amelia DN Sugiharta
Consulting Psychiatric Doctor, Bali Harmony Rehab
Last medically reviewed: August 2025