Every other day, we read of a sensationalised drug bust. Young people caught with vials. Rave parties busted. And after the predictable burst of commentary on how our youth is losing values, the subject dies down until the next bust.
But behind this seemingly vacuous party culture is a problem that very few are addressing—the disease, nature of which is such that it creates an unstoppable urge to consume a substance even after knowing that it is bad. Both compulsive and progressive at the same time.
Addiction primarily starts when the act of occasionally using a substance turns habitual, and finally compulsive.
At every stage, the person falsely believes that he can stop at any time he wishes. Like a young Juhu businessman who came to me seeking help. Every morning, he wakes up feeling that he shouldn’t have drunk so late into the night. But the problem is: after his first, he can’t stop.
Then, there’re those who wake up and need their drink. In fact, you would be surprised to know how many of city’s bars up shutters early morning to cater to these captive clients. Finally, there is an alarmingly high number who are addicted to prescribed medicines, especially women.
The real issue in Mumbai is not that addiction is widespread, or that drugs are easily accessible, but rather that hardly any one is looking at solutions. The first non-medical treatment centre started in the US in the late 40s. Since then, many such have sprouted all over the west. Despite a crying need for such centres in Mumbai, there are hardly any which follow a nonmedical programme-otherwise a proven approach worldwide for the most holistic and long-lasting solution in arresting addiction.
Unfortunately, the only complete and reliable treatment centre in Mumbai is the venerable Kripa Foundation, which uses holistic methods like yoga to help addicts find their way out. Most others resort to medical intervention, which if does not concern the root problem, can have its own drawbacks. It’s almost like replacing one drug with another.
However, the good news is: there is a growing culture of camaraderie and counselling which takes a compassionate and confidential approach towards the problem, drawing in all members of the patient’s family.
Self-help groups meet every day in different parts of the city, with sharing on their mind. The biggest denial in this whole problem is: I can quit it myself, whereas the treatment is based on ‘What I can’t do, we can do.’
(Mail: shootingfromthelip@indiatimes.com)