It is not hard to understand why foreign visitors fall in love with Udon Thani. The city manages to provide all modern conveniences such as restaurants, gyms, cafes, and department stores without compromising its Issan charm – the cost of living is also cheaper than the more touristy cities in Thailand. It is a place most visitors want to come back to and many dream of moving to Udon permanently.

The dream of living in Udon Thani can easily turn sour for those who develop a problem with alcohol or drugs. Much of the local expat social scene is based around drinking, and it can be difficult to make friends with expats outside of the bars. Living in Thailand can be a lonely business for a foreigner – especially for those who move to the more rural areas of Udon – and one way to cope with this loneliness is to turn to alcohol for comfort.

Prescription drug abuse can also be a problem for expats living in Udon. Our clients tell us that it is much easier to persuade a doctor to prescribe habit forming medication (e.g. opiates or sedatives) here in Thailand than it is in most western countries – especially in the private hospitals and clinics. The fact that a drug is prescribed doesn’t make it any less dangerous if you are abusing it.

If you are an expat with an addiction problem living in Udon, your situation is likely to keep deteriorating until you get help. If you don’t want your dream of living in Thailand to become a nightmare, you need this help sooner rather than later.