The term drug that originally meant medicines, now also connotes fatal narcotics that include cocaine, heroin, brown sugar, and others. The younger generation, particularly teenagers, are the worst victims of drug addiction. Rehabilitation is the process of treatment offered in these cases of drug dependency. It is done in order to avoid the consequences of psychological, financial, physical and social ill-effects of drug abuse. De-addiction centres not only assist drug addicts to recover but also provide a renewed sense of living.
Addiction treatment procedures
The de-addiction programmes comprise three distinct phases that is motivation, detoxification, and rehabilitation. Specific questions are asked by a treatment support adviser and the patient is required to undergo specific screenings or diagnostic tests based on his/her specific needs and the stage of addiction that he/she is in.
Detoxification or detox is intended to get rid of all traces of alcohol or drugs from the body. It is aimed at easing the withdrawal symptoms associated with some drugs such as heroin or prescription drugs. There are numerous medications that can be prescribed during the detox stage of treatment like methadone, benzodiazepines buprenorphine, barbiturates, etc.
Once the initial detox from alcohol and drugs is complete, the rehabilitation process continues. During this phase, the root causes of the addiction are addressed, and a concerted effort is made so that the patient can get back to their original life without ever resorting to drugs or alcohol again. This process consists of individual therapy, group therapy, and family therapy.
Abhik Das, a drug survivor and currently associated with the Shri Shri Ravi Shankar’s Art of Living, says, “I was under the ‘Narcotic Anonymous’ programme. I was there for eight months and it was indeed beneficial. But the real life starts after you leave the rehab centre, when you have to avoid all the places and friends you used to be with during your addiction.” Different de-addiction centres in India have individual modes of operations. For example, The Phoenix Foundation in Hyderabad uses treatment methods that include cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and rational emotive behaviour therapy. The Drug Dependence Treatment Centre in Ghaziabad provides inpatient and outpatient treatment using medically-assisted and non-medically assisted approaches.
Sayan Chakraborty, another survivor of drug abuse and a second year MBBS student, says, “Rehabilitation isn’t just about leaving substances. It’s actually about how people like us can live a healthy and normal life leaving behind our dark pasts. Believe in yourself and that no other substance can overpower you.”
Success rates
India has witnessed a fivefold increase in drug hauls recently according to data released by the Government of India. Punjab accounted for almost half of all cases registered in India under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS) in 2013. Mumbai, Hyderabad and other cities around the country are also quickly gaining a reputation for their increased drug usage.
Over 500 centres across our country work together to nurse addicts back into a healthy productive lifestyle. The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, addresses this prevention and rehabilitation aspect of substance use, through the establishment of ‘rehabilitation centres’ run by non-governmental organisations.
It is estimated that 70% of the de-addiction centres lack standard treatment and care facilities; which means that the chances of a relapse is high. That’s why the majority of government programmes have very low success rates. The rehab centres run by voluntary organisations do not fare much better either.
Dr. Smita Deshpande, Head of the Department of Psychiatry, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, says, “There are only 4,000 - 4,500 psychiatrists in India and not all are involved in de-addiction treatment. That’s the kind of shortage we face. Clinical psychologists and counselors are also scarce on ground.”
Conclusion
Prevent addiction and provide more treatment facilities for addicts. Rehabilitation centres have to invest in getting the addict reconnected with his/her parents, siblings, families in order to bring about a comprehensive recovery. It is easy to stop taking drugs, but a rehabilitation programme is required to stay away from drugs voluntarily.
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