Field Exposure: Wat Thum Krabok, The Temple of the Bamboo Cave

Wat Tum Krabok also known as the Temple of the Bamboo Cave is situated in the quiet and peaceful province of Saraburi 140 km away from Bangkok. The place was built in order to help people who are suffering from substance abuse and addiction. Accordingly, it has helped an air-marshal’s brother to recover from heroin addiction who afterwards left the police force, his wife and children to become the monastery’s first abbot.

Since then it has become the home of most people from all over the world who seek to recover from drug addiction. The Monastery uses a unique detox method which integrates Buddhist meditation and a dose of herbal supplement which induce vomiting. The Monastery works on a system and a day to day schedule which every residents are compelled to do. They have specific tasks at a certain time of the day which starts with basically sweeping the grounds, breakfast, steam bath – which is also one of the detox process and meditation.

The Monastery’s population is composed of local Thai residents and a number of foreign occupants who left their families in order to get rid of the addiction and hopefully move on into a better lifestyle.

Most of them agreed that the monastery is the last hope for them since most have gone through a lot of treatment and have failed. Therapy and counseling also have a big part on their healing. For the first few days the patients are provided with herbal medicine called yatan which will induce vomiting. The monks believed that it helps the body get rid of the toxins as well as aid recovery. Besides the treatment is free and the patients are admitted on their will. Also if they cannot follow the treatment system in the monastery they are also free to leave. According to them the detox process – induced vomiting is the hardest stage and it makes one think that after all they have gone through, they will never again put themselves into the same situation.

The trip provided an insight on the actual situation and thoughts of unfortunate people who suffered from addiction and their struggle to get control of themselves again. Also, childhood trauma, family problems and environmental influence played a big role into their substance addiction. Most of them recalled that it was the only way for them to cope with emotional dilemma until they realized that addiction had gotten control of their lives as well as hurt their family and friends. As a therapist it is very important to understand where they are coming from and what they are experiencing at the moment. It would also by helpful if therapist create a casual bond with them since most of them have already feel they have lost their family and friends and have no one to understands them. It is very crucial that they know someone listens and empathize with them.

It would also be beneficial if they are exposed to recreational activities, access to gym and sports facilities as well as introduced them to different arts and crafts such as learning to play a musical instrument, paint and creative writing.  This way it would help them divert their minds off their present situation and would give them something productive to do instead of too much cigarette smoking, which they, apparently, are allowed to do. Nevertheless the trip proved to be very beneficial and educational. It was such a privileged to be given a chance to visit the Monastery. The place itself offers a great sense of serenity, a world so detached from the chaos of life. It makes one feel hopeful that once a life spend there would become a life full of hope and renewed spirit.

“Your present circumstances don't determine where you can go; they merely determine where you start.”  Nido Qubin