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De-addiction counsellors meet to share concerns

Sandhya Gupta, Psychiatrist at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences(AIIMS), said: "Most rehabilitation and de-addiction organisations in India do not follow the biological approach. They try to resolve addiction with the viewpoint of psychology. What we need now is to treat the addiction just like any other disease."

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The counsellor shares her view during the interactive session
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The Delhi Police organised a programme —'Counseling of the Counsellors of De-addiction Centres'— for the representatives of various organisations and de-addiction centres, at the Pitampura Police line on Wednesday. The representatives interacted with and encouraged each other at the novel event.

Sandhya Gupta, Psychiatrist at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences(AIIMS), said: "Most rehabilitation and de-addiction organisations in India do not follow the biological approach. They try to resolve addiction with the viewpoint of psychology. What we need now is to treat the addiction just like any other disease."

"Every organisation should follow the harm minimisation process for detoxification. Stopping drugs immediately can have very hazardous effects on a patient's body. The long process of detoxification should start with the addict switching from illegal drugs to legal ones. Then the amount of consumption of legal drugs should be decreased, followed by rehabilitation," Dr Sandhya added.

Praveen Katyal, a volunteer with a de-addiction centre, shared his own experience: "I didn't realise that I was a chronic alcoholic till my body got so used to liquor that I could not even walk without it. Despite being an educated professional, I was looked upon with hatred and disgust. "

" When people are affected by a disease, they are given complete care and love. But when I was going through de-addiction and rehabilitation process, even my friends and relatives didn't care for me. The rejection by family members is very dangerous, because the family's support can really boost an addict's morale ," said Sumit Verma, a member of the Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). He now works as a volunteer for the organisation.

Another former AA member, Vikram Gupta said:"For 19 long years, I was in a committed relationship with alcohol. I realised that only when both my personal and professional life were undermined. My body was not allowing me to quit alcohol, even though I wanted to."

The participants also raised the concern that the government, police and civil societies needed a better connection and synchronisation for better results in rehabilitation of addicts and making them a part of society again.

Regarding this, Sanjay Singh, Joint CP North Range, said: "The Delhi Police have always been very active in de-addiction and rehabilitation processes. Foundations such as Navjyot by the Delhi Police have been serving society since 1987. We are committed to such work in future as well."

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