“Retreat” now means anything from beach yoga to clinical rehab. If you’re worn out, drinking more than you’d like or haven’t slept properly in three months, it matters which format you actually need.
Three formats and prices
| Format | Who it’s for | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detox | Resetting diet, sleep and weight | 1,700–3,400 USD; flagship resorts 4,600–7,700 USD | one week |
| Sobriety | Taking a break from alcohol, rebuilding habits | 2,100–4,900 USD | 14 days |
| Burnout | Chronic fatigue, stress, poor sleep | 2,100–4,600 USD; clinical programs 4,000–6,000 USD per week | 10 days |
Detox
Detox programs on Koh Samui and in Phuket combine diet (juices, a plant-based menu or moderate fasting), treatments, movement, sleep and no alcohol. To be honest: your liver and kidneys remove toxins on their own, and “cleanse” is a marketing word. The real benefit is the pause: without alcohol, sugar and work, body and mind recover noticeably faster.
Sober retreats
A sober retreat is not addiction treatment. It’s one or two weeks without alcohol in a supportive setting: coaching, group work, exercise and mindfulness practices. It suits you if you want to take a break and understand your triggers.
Burnout
Burnout programs combine sleep, gentle exercise, sessions with a psychologist or coach, body-based practices and a digital detox. Clinical programs add a doctor, lab tests and an individual plan.
When you need a doctor, not a retreat
A retreat is no substitute for medical care. See a doctor if:
- you get tremors, sweating, anxiety or insomnia when you stop drinking: alcohol withdrawal is dangerous and needs medical supervision;
- you have been drinking daily for many years;
- you have thoughts of self-harm or a sense of hopelessness;
- your sleep has been disrupted for more than three months despite rest;
- you have depression or panic attacks, or you take psychiatric medication.
Red flags when choosing
- They promise to “cure” addiction or depression in a week.
- There’s no information on the specialists’ qualifications.
- Medical procedures are offered without a doctor.
- Strict fasting without lab tests or supervision.
- You can’t talk to the team before you pay.
Where the programs take place
- Koh Samui: detox and wellness resorts, in season from January to September.
- Chiang Mai: burnout retreats, in the cool season from November to February.
- Bali: sober retreats and men’s groups, in the dry season from April to October.
- Altai, Russia: a men’s retreat in nature, from June to September.
Frequently asked questions
Can I go on my own?
Yes, most participants come alone. Men’s groups are a separate format if you want the company of like-minded people.
How long do the effects last?
It depends on what you keep up at home. Good programs give you a plan for the first 30 days after you return.
Is it confidential?
Yes. Details of your program are shared only with the partner who runs it.
Prices and rules are based on public sources as of the update date and may change. This is not medical or legal advice.