Rehab In Spain

Why Go To Spain For Rehab?

I would sooner be a foreigner in Spain than in most countries. How easy it is to make friends in Spain!

Home to beautiful basilicas, breath-taking breaches, and majestic mountains, Spain is a picturesque place visited by millions for a multitude of reasons. There’s certainly no lack of culture, cuisine, and community within the historic kingdom, and as Mr. Orwell once wrote, there’s similarly no shortage of potential new acquaintances with which to make memories and experience a fascinating new corner of the globe.

There are a few reasons someone looking for drug and alcohol addiction treatment or behavioral health services may consider Spain as a destination. For one, it provides the opportunity to combine treatment and recovery with a vacation that leaves one feeling more stimulated and rejuvenated than ever before. Additionally, the Spanish attitude toward drug and alcohol use may be refreshing to the American abroad, especially if that traveler struggles with addiction and substance abuse.

Before deciding to travel to Spain for rehab, it’s important to research what’s required to get there, what attitudes one can expect to encounter upon arrival, and which treatment modalities might be offered.

What Do Americans Need For Rehab In Spain?

According to the US State Department, there isn’t a long list of documents required for attending rehab in Spain. One doesn’t need a visa unless one is planning on staying longer than 90 days. For stays that exceed this duration, the official website of the US Embassy and Consulates in Spain recommends that Americans, “obtain the appropriate visa from the Spanish Embassy or Consulate in their state/country of last residence.” Going on to say that, “After the visa has been issued, foreigners have 3 months to apply for the corresponding permit with the Spanish authorities in Spain.” The website for Spain’s Ministry Of The Interior is the best place to look for the most recent visa requirements.

For stays shorter than 90 days, all that’s needed is a passport. It must not expire for at least 3 months after the last day spent in Spain; the State Department recommends bringing a passport that will be valid for at least 6 months after departure, however.

Beyond that, anyone looking to attend rehab in Spain must find a facility that has an open bed and allows American patients.

How Do Spaniards View Drug And Alcohol Use?

Drug use is commonplace in Spain, with alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine ranking among the more popular drugs for both men and women. On a legal level, personal use of drugs is not punished as severely as it is in many countries. Instead, those who struggle with a substance use disorder (SUD) are seen as suffering from an illness. This public health-oriented approach has been largely successful for the country. It’s worth noting, however, that drug traffickers and dealers are punished extremely harshly; anyone thinking about taking drugs into Spain would be wise to think again.

What Treatments Do Rehabs In Spain Offer?

By and large, Spanish rehabs offer many of the same medications and treatment modalities that American rehabs do and are offered in an environment that may be more pleasant and invigorating for the average American traveler. The distance traveled may also offer an extra level of privacy as the patient is far from home, encouraging the individual to focus on themselves.

The treatments offered in Spain may include but not be limited to:

• Art therapy
• Biofeedback therapy
• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Dialectical behavioral therapy
• Equine therapy
• Holistic therapy
• Music therapy
• SMART Recovery™

Finding A Rehab That Works

Spain could be the site of your next great adventure. But so could just about any treatment center as long as you’re in a supportive environment and receiving care for the addiction you’ve been bravely fighting. No matter where you are, taking steps towards recovery is what matters.

Rehabs offer payment plans and accept insurance; they’re motivated to make themselves affordable to those seeking treatment. If you’re trying to figure out how to begin your treatment journey, contact a treatment provider today. They’ll answer your questions for free and get you on the road to recovery.