Holistic Luxury Alcohol, Nicotine and Other Drug Rehab in Costa Rica or Panama

Why would people choose to come to a country in Central America like Costa Rica or Panama for drug treatment? Right now, top of mind, is the cold freeze going on in North America. Drug rehab is definitely not a vacation, but if you can fly to a beautiful tropical country as easily as flying to cold Minnesota, for example, why not?

The Republic of Panama, in Central America was carefully chosen as the location for Serenity Vista Addiction Drug Rehab, especially the temperate, beautiful verdant mountain highlands of Boquete in the province of Chiriqui. The weather here is likened to an eternal spring, warm and balmy, neither too hot nor humid. Both the Pacific or Atlantic oceans are an easy drive to the hot tropical sun and beaches.

Some rehabs utilize the local YMCA for recreation, and some have their own private luxury gym or pool. At Serenity Vista the guests take an overnight sail on the rehab’s own 36 ft sailboat, Decision, drop anchor at a deserted white sand, coconut palm covered island and swim with the dolphins and tortugas (sea turtles) to shore. Or they can go rappelling in the hot sun down a refreshing waterfall cascade with Panama’s passionate native son rock climber, Cesar Mendelaz. Or maybe this week it will be horseback riding through the rolling green hills of Caldera to the natural sacred hotsprings for a contemplative warm soak and then cool river swim. Zip lining, amazing hiking, coffee plantation tours and bike riding are other options.

Then there is the food. Serenity Vista’s chef is a vivacious and talented young woman dedicated to providing nutritious, delicious, locally organic farmer sourced food where ever possible. Boquete is the fruit and vegetable basket of Panama and it is wonderful. The guests at Serenity Vista start every day with a freshly made fruit smoothie alongside their lovingly prepared breakfast. The food is just amazing. Breakfast is right after the morning walk through the flowering countryside with Ceiba, the chocolate Labrador pet dog, and adorable canine therapist. Throughout the day Ceiba is available for love, hugs, stick or orange retrieving and general enjoyment for each encounter. The hectare of property has a river, and a creek, citrus trees, bougainvillea and hibiscus, eucalyptus and strategically placed hammocks.

Other reasons one might choose to leave the country is for privacy. There is a big difference between secrecy and privacy, and leaving the North American governmental medical system allows a person to keep their rehabilitation their own business. Plus the likelihood of running into acquaintances both at the facility or the community is almost nil.

Boquete has a thriving recovery community with many weekly 12 Step meetings and 12 Step fellowship activities. Rehab is still hard work, but being in such a warm, friendly community make the transition to recovery easier. If you or a loved one are ready to consider drug rehab, or alcohol treatment, we encourage you to look at your Central American options. Serenity Vista has a hammock here with your name on it.

The Addict Whisperer - Chocolate Therapy

Canine Therapy in Drug Rehab from Serenity Vista Addiction Rehab Panama

Costa Rica Drug Rehab - Panama, right next door offers a better solution at Serenity Vista

Dogs in Rehab? Most drug rehabs are state or province run, sterile environments. There is no room for dogs there! At Serenity Vista Addiction Recovery Retreat in Panama, our Chocolate Labrador Retriever is part of the package! Her name is Ceiba, and she loves to love and be loved! She is a natural healer. What exactly is Canine Therapy. You know what it is instinctively.

Canine Therapy is a new name for an old bond. We believe that an addiction recovery retreat is not complete without a great dog as part of the program. We feel that a dog is an integral part of the holistic healing complement of modalities that a person needs to recover from the battle zone of active addiction. Meet Ceiba at Serenity Vista Addiction Recovery Retreat in Panama.

On the First Nation or Native American Medicine Wheel, Dog represents Loyalty. You may remember a special dog from your childhood that offered unconditional love and companionship. Dog never cares how you look, what job you have, or what your status is in the community. What dog wants is to connect.

Many people in recovery relate how their dog's behavior would change when their owner or other people around the dog were under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. Mostly dogs become nervous and afraid, unsure and unable to read the person's energy. Spiritual and emotional connection cannot be made, although many drunken people may cry and/or fawn all over their dog. Dog knows this is not authentic and is frightened.

One of the most powerful teachings dog demonstrates in drug rehab is living in the moment. Dog never spends time going over past hurts or perceived slights. Dog never worries about the future, how it will be treated tomorrow, or where the next meal comes from. Dog is always in the NOW. Dog is purely and completely living in the moment.

In active addiction, people, without exception are wrapped up in self. Self-pity, self-blame, self-sabotage, self-absorbed and so on is the norm. Being concerned about another living being is usually only based on what the active addict hopes to get from that other person. Or not get (trouble, blame, caught, flack and so on).

When people arrive at the door step of Serenity Vista Addiction Recovery Retreat, they are generally broken, lonely, grieving feeling helpless and untouchable. They are full of self-pity yes, but broken non-the-less. Often the first one out to greet the guest as they exit their taxi is Ceiba, our Chocolate Labrador Retriever Therapy Dog. She already loves them. She says "Welcome, I am so glad that you are here!" to everyone.

Often the new guest hardly recognizes the dog as even being present. That is the nature of addiction. Very quickly this changes though, just like the miracle that recovery is. Our guests are not required to do chores, no washing dishes or making meals, but they are required to do two things - walk Ceiba every morning, and attend to her well-being during the day with attention and general frolic at least a couple times.

It is clearly evident when people being to really heal, and begin to practice the tools of recovery. They begin to speak to Ceiba, rather than just 'commanding' her. They begin to connect with her physically, embracing and touching her. Ceiba loves the affection, and wants to reciprocate. She will sneak in a kiss when she can, and never rebuffs an approach.

Ceiba just exudes happiness and joy. She will take herself to the 'swimming hole' in the creek, many times a day. When she is tired, she rests on the cool tiles, when she is playful, she finds a stick or a bug to play with, if everyone else is busy in a session.

So, Canine Therapy is practiced pretty much all the waking hours whenever there is a dog at rehab. Dogs are intuitive, warm, soft to the touch, and all fun. They are exactly what a recovering person needs to heal. And Ceiba is just another one of the divine gifts we all experience here at Serenity Vista in beautiful Panama.

Panama is right next door to Costa Rica. We also work with horses to heal. Equine Therapy, Caldera style. We go hiking, and sailing, and swimming, and boogie boarding, ziplining, whitewater rafting and so much more. Rethink Rehab.

Recovery. Discovery. Transformation.