Alcohol Rehab Abroad: Is Costa Rica the Right Choice?

Alcohol is everywhere at home: at work dinners, at family events, at the store on the way back from the office. That is why many people choose to start recovery somewhere else. Treatment abroad removes the daily cues long enough for new habits to take hold, and private care abroad usually costs far less than the same level of care in the United States or Canada.

Start with safe detox

Stopping heavy drinking suddenly can be dangerous, so any program you consider should assess you on arrival and manage withdrawal under medical supervision. Ask who supervises detox and what happens if complications arise. At CRTC, medical detox is the first phase of treatment, managed by our medical team.

Treat what sits underneath the drinking

Drinking often travels with anxiety, depression, trauma or burnout. If those are left untreated, relapse is more likely. Look for a program that treats both together (dual diagnosis), with individual therapy every week, not only groups.

What alcohol treatment at CRTC looks like

• Medical detox, then residential treatment in 30-day blocks
• Individual and group therapy: CBT, DBT and EMDR for trauma
• 12-step or non-12-step pathways, and family sessions that fit your time zone
• A 1:1 staff-to-client ratio and an English-speaking team
• Follow-up at 1, 2, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after discharge

Cost

All-inclusive treatment starts at $8,950 per 30 days in San José and $14,350 at our private Riverside center in Atenas. See the full 2026 prices.

Comparing destinations?

Read our guide to rehab in Costa Rica vs Thailand vs Mexico, or start a free, confidential evaluation to talk through your situation.