Norte Abri is a residential addiction treatment centre located in the town of Montreux, Switzerland. Established in 2021, the clinic specialises in psychotropic addiction treatment and supports individuals affected by alcohol, drugs, medication use, and behavioural dependencies related to relationships, work, gaming, and sport. Care is delivered in a private residential setting designed for focus and structure.
Treatment Approach
Norte Abri follows a structured residential model built around abstinence-based care. The programme combines principles drawn from the Minnesota Model with personalised counselling and guided nature-based activities. Treatment is delivered through a 28-day residential programme, allowing participants to step away from everyday environments while engaging in consistent therapeutic routines.
A central element of the approach involves movement and shared experience. Clients travel to different locations and engage with peers who demonstrate that long-term abstinence can be lived in a stable and balanced way. This experiential structure supports reflection, accountability, and exposure to new routines outside habitual settings.
Therapy and Clinical Support
Therapeutic care is highly individualised and adapted to each participant’s history and behavioural patterns. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) forms a core part of the programme, supporting insight into thought processes linked to addictive behaviour. Group therapy provides shared discussion and peer interaction within a structured setting.
Additional therapeutic elements include recreational therapy, nutrition-focused support, and adventure-based activities. These components are integrated into the daily schedule to support routine, physical engagement, and practical coping strategies. The programme focuses primarily on addiction-related behaviour, with therapeutic support adapted to individual psychological needs identified during treatment.
Programmes and Services
Norte Abri delivers a single, clearly defined residential programme, including:
- Unique 28-Day Residential Programme
- Individual Counselling Sessions
- Group Therapy
- Adventure and Recreational Therapy
All services are provided within the residential structure, allowing continuity between therapeutic work, daily activities, and shared living arrangements.
Accommodation and Environment
The centre operates from a private house located in Montreux, offering views across Lake Geneva and the surrounding Alpine landscape. Accommodation consists of private bedrooms, allowing personal space and rest outside structured sessions.
The property includes communal living areas and an on-site swimming pool, supporting downtime and informal interaction. Outdoor access forms part of the daily routine, with fresh air and lakeside surroundings contributing to the residential experience.
A distinctive element of the programme includes a week spent aboard a 14-metre sailing boat. During this period, clients travel through the French Riviera’s Golden Islands, each staying in a private bedroom with shared bathroom facilities. This component is integrated into the therapeutic structure rather than offered as leisure alone.
Additional Activities
Depending on the season, participants may engage in a wide range of activities alongside the core programme. These may include rock climbing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, sailing, windsurfing, diving, cooking, gardening, beekeeping, and animal-assisted activities.
These experiences are used to support routine, physical engagement, and exposure to alternative ways of spending time without reliance on substances or compulsive behaviours.