The villa does not appear to be an addiction treatment facility. It appears to be a private resort. The ‘The Balance’ rehabilitation centre lies alone on a big area in the municipality of Llucmajor, Mallorca. There are no other buildings visible over its length and breadth, simply countryside. The package seems luxurious, with a private chef, workout facility, and yoga classes. Clients of Abdullah Boulad, who manages ‘The Balance,’ include CEOs of significant corporations as well as royalty and celebrities. Only such organisations can afford such a treatment. Four weeks at ‘The Balance,’ for example, costs about 150,000 euros.
Everything must be special and, above all, anonymous in order to appeal to the clientele. Boulad does not reveal the identities of his guests. Not even the precise location of the villa is known. He claims that simply mentioning the municipality of Llucmajor is sufficient. Specifically, ‘The Balance’ manages three properties on Mallorca and rents out a few others. When asked how many clients they host each year, the general manager declines to give the figure.
Boulad, who started ‘The Balance’ four years ago in Switzerland, relocated to the island a year ago. Mallorca, he claims, is the ideal location for “offering his clients treatment.” And he explains this by emphasising the excellent food, the lovely scenery, and the pleasant weather. Furthermore, he admits that he can offer his rehabilitation clinic at a lower cost than in Switzerland. To give you an idea, four weeks there costs roughly 400,000 euros. According to Boulad, Mallorca also offers something unique: anonymity. According to Boulad, a private plane does not draw notice at Son Sant Joan airport, so those who do not want to talk about their rehabilitation at home might pretend they are on holiday on the island. “They may say they were on the beach, on a boat, and display images of it,” says Boulad.
Once or twice a week, the boss pays visits to his clientele. The time spent with the visitors is greater than the time spent with the respective trainers and therapists. Jil Moore, a yoga instructor who is also in charge of the clients, is one of them. Some people, she explains, don’t want to practise yoga at first. “Especially guys, despite the fact that my classes are different,” she explains. Her sessions are tailored to the client’s specific needs. As a result, while some people are “extremely athletic” and like to do a lot of exercise, there are other profiles, such as those in their 70s whose bodies have been ruined by alcoholism. “If a client is unable to walk adequately, I adjust the yoga session to exercises in chairs, for example,” he adds, adding that the ultimate goal is to provide them with a sense of serenity.
Boulad’s guests may be wealthy, but they are not enviable. Alcohol addiction in people over the age of 60 is treated in the same way as it is in people under the age of 20. There’s also eating problems, substance addiction, sleeplessness, despair, tiredness, and so forth. According to Boulad, addiction frequently conceals the underlying issue.
A question arises: does having too much money make you sick? “Certainly,” Boulad responds, adding, “if it’s not channelled correctly.” One client expressed regret that he had sold his company. Despite the fact that he had made a lot of money, his life had changed radically. “After that, he lost significance in his life and sunk into a hole,” Boulad observes. Others see success as a problem: “Especially among young individuals, who frequently struggle to cope with the pressure from fans and the media.”
Moore mentions another huge group of clients: individuals who have grown up with far too much wealth. “These have no bounds,” she adds. Along the same lines, Boulad observes that there are young people who have only gotten prizes their entire lives and are now facing a significant problem: “They are intended for fleeting pleasures.” They are unable to concentrate. They are unable to read a book. According to Boulad, this group has solely gotten praise and prizes, which has resulted in “intoxications.”
The exclusivity reflected by ‘The Balance’ usually leaves a sour aftertaste. It is a blessing for those who can afford it. But Boulad sees no problem. “These are ordinary individuals,” he claims. People who require therapy in order to overcome addictions or difficulties. Especially in the case of celebrities, who frequently attempt suicide. “Somewhere, these clients require you to show them the way out,”she insists.
A luxurious stay at ‘The Balance’
A tour of the villa demonstrates what is available to clients. On the one hand, there’s a huge bedroom with views of the countryside and the pool that, with its modern, neutral furnishings, seems like something out of a hotel suite. This is where guests will remain for the duration of their stay, which must be at least four weeks. They must be alone at this period, and only pets are permitted. However, there are no partners or relatives. The manager, as this figure is known, assigns the room to each client based on their demands. He/she is usually the same age as the visitor and is in charge of accompanying and caring for him/her throughout his/her stay, assisting him/her in coping with daily life through various therapies.
A curious fact is that the private chef sleeps in a room close to the with the guest for the duration of the stay. According to the organisation, this is vital in order to preserve the elegance to which these visitors are accustomed, as well as the high degree of clinical rehabilitation. And, as Boulad points out, diet is extremely vital during their rehabilitation. The centre takes a holistic approach, which means that the human being must be cured as a whole… and that everything is interconnected. “We now know, for example, that intestinal microbes influence mood,” says Boulad. Chefs create their dishes in such a way that they benefit the patient.
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