Copyright International Business Times
Addiction is often misunderstood. For many, it appears as a simple problem of drinking too much or using substances excessively. But for Oliver Neubert, Chairman and Founder of NEOVIVA, a private recovery clinic in Switzerland, addiction is never just about drugs or alcohol. "No one ends up an addict because they were having too much fun," he says. "There's always something deeper underneath. Unless you address that, it's always going to come back." That philosophy underpins NEOVIVA's model: a highly personalised, clinically rigorous approach that addresses the entirety of a person's life. To ensure each client receives the care they deserve, NEOVIVA's capacity is limited to five clients at a time. Based on decades of experience and Neubert's own 37 years of recovery, the clinic has developed an ecosystem of care that blends psychiatry, psychotherapy, experiential therapies, and continuing support, all within a discreet and supportive environment. Unlike the "rehab" concept that often conjures images of temporary fixes, NEOVIVA is built around the belief that recovery must consider every layer of a person's existence. "One size does not fit all," Neubert says. "You have to take into consideration the physical body, family dynamics, occupation, social and cultural background, even spiritual beliefs or the absence of them. Everything is connected," he states, ''You can only feel safe if you are understood. This is why our staff comes from many different backgrounds, as our clients do. We have accommodated clients to pursue their religious practice by making space for prayer times for their otherwise busy schedules.'' At the heart of this philosophy is NEOVIVA's integrated model, a structure that guides every client's journey. That journey typically begins with a medically managed detoxification and withdrawal management by NEOVIVA's doctors and psychiatrists. As soon as clients are ready, they are supported with psychotherapy and psychiatric care, which delves into deeper, underlying issues that are often the roots of their addiction, whether this anxiety, depression, or any other mental health issue. This also encompasses deeper existential work on purpose, identity, and meaning through interactive workshops and experiential therapies. Beyond the addiction, NEOVIVA focuses on the ongoing aspects of recovery, guiding clients to longer-term, successful outcomes. These therapies range from psychotherapy, psychoeducation, and neuromodulation with transcranial magnetic stimulation, as well as experiential modalities such as art therapy, equine-assisted therapy, and Shinrin Yoku (forest immersion). As Neubert says, "It's a carefully blended mix of cognitive work, emotional work, and experiential work, because recovery requires all of it." Equally important is NEOVIVA's team-based approach. Each day begins and ends with clinical huddles where every client is discussed by the full team of psychiatrists, psychologists, and therapists. "What you never hear in those meetings is 'my client,'" Neubert says. "It's always 'our client.' That's because treatment is a multi-disciplinary and collaborative effort." This model of collective care helps clients feel held and understood, while also ensuring swift, responsive adjustments along a client's treatment progress. The emphasis is never on rushing people through a program but on striking the right balance between support and challenge. Beyond the structured stay, NEOVIVA includes seven months of continuing care to support reintegration into daily life. This involves regular check-ins with recovery counselors, all of whom are themselves at least over a decade into recovery, as well as psychotherapy sessions and practical guidance. For clients who relapse, NEOVIVA goes a step further with an unprecedented guarantee: anyone who has completed six weeks or more of treatment may return for up to a month, free of charge, within a year. "We believe in what we do, and we see the results," says Neubert. "It's a strong statement to our clients: we are with you." Despite offering suites, spa access, and a pool, NEOVIVA is clear about what it is not. "We don't focus on luxury like some other clinics do," Neubert says. "What we provide is treatment, and we are serious about that. After all, addiction is a matter of life and death." NEOVIVA's work is also future-focused. Addiction treatment worldwide is marked by poor outcomes, which is unacceptable, Neubert says. At NEOVIVA, the entire team engages with the latest research through a weekly journal club, critically analyzing new findings and adapting their model accordingly. "Outcomes in addiction treatment are appalling across the board," Neubert says. "At Neoviva, we're already doing a great job, but we have to keep pushing to get better." For Neubert, the mission is ultimately to help people, and he believes that in order to do that, we have to break the stigma and instill hope. "Addiction destroys not just the individual but entire families, even future generations," he says. "But everyone can recover if they get the right help. That's what we want people to know: there is a solution." From its discreet Swiss location, NEOVIVA offers more than treatment; it offers a way forward, addressing every aspect of the human experience that contributes to addiction. In doing so, NEOVIVA is redefining what treatment and recovery can and should look like.
