FAQS (ALCOHOL/DRUGS)

What is alcoholism / substance abuse?

It is a maladaptive pattern of use of mood-altering substances (drugs / alcohol) leading to clinically significant impairment or distress as manifested by Tolerance i.e – Need for increased amount of the substance to achieve the in-toxification

Reduced effect with continued use of the same amount of the substance. Withdrawal symptoms when the substance of use is withdrawn.

Advance FAQ

Addiction is a disease
.. Abstinence is the only method to control addiction
.. Treatment will help in controlling addiction

What are the common misunderstandings about addiction?

1. Addicts are bad, misbehaved, lazy or useless people
2. Addicts should not be treated unless they are violent or fall in gutters and create problems in social setting
3. People who do not abuse/drink continuously, that is throughout the day, don’t have a problem
4. People who are into substance abuse can be left alone if they earn well and work well
5. Alcohol, ganja are used in festivals, while cough syrups etc. are medicines, therefore they can be consumed without any harm
6. Alcohol improves appetite and sexual libido
7. Smoking filtered cigarette and drinking foreign liquor is fashionable and an occupational etiquette

Is hospitalization always necessary?

Only if the person has a previous history of seizure, delirium or any such complications. Addicts require compulsory hospital admission for physical sickness such as blood pressure, liver or heart related complications.

What is recovery?

A person is on the recovery path when he abstains from or stops the use of addictive substance completely, examines and improves self-thinking, feeling and behaviour patterns; that is he tries to make reasonable changes in his lifestyle. The recovered addict also starts rehabilitating himself in family, job, education and career. He also takes efforts in learning ways to cope with free time, money and relationships, that is channelling energies into positive ways.

What is detoxification?

It is a process in which the patient is administered drugs, diet and a change of atmosphere to break the routine of addiction. Required medical and counselling support is also provided as withdrawal symptoms (commonly called “turkey”) like disorientation, sleeplessness, restlessness often occur during detoxification.

What does a rehabilitation center do?

A rehabilitation center helps addicts in the recovery process. The centers usually have an outlined residential program. Use of discipline, creative & constructive routines and psychological treatment methods are the salient features of the centers. The addicts are helped to analyze themselves, confront defensive behaviour and learn coping patterns. The duration of the patient’s stay may vary from 34 days to 6 months.

What happens after treatment?

Person comes back educated about his illness, believes that he can remain without addictive substance, and continues with his work. He sees other addicts in worse conditions and remains watchful of his own deterioration if he goes in to relapse. He is also aware of the disadvantages of substance abuse, and that if he does not take proper precautions there are chances of relapse.

What is AA, NA?

AA is Alcoholics Anonymous, a self-help group started by and for the alcoholics.

NA is Narcotics Anonymous, a self-help group for users of narcotic drugs like brown sugar, charas, ganja, cocaine etc.
These groups have free membership, they provide anonymity and a sense of belonging to their members. 

What is the role of family members?

Role of family members/caregivers in helping the addict is very crucial.

• They need to accept that the addict is ill, and should accompany him for treatment like any other patient
• They need to play a remedial role as prescribed by the counsellor
• Changing their thinking, feeling and behaviour patterns is necessary
• It is important to play a vigilant role in case the patient slips back to addiction
• The family should try and lead a normal life within the circumstances

What is sobriety?

Sobriety is not merely abstinence from the substance but a qualitative change in attitude regarding self, others and the world. It also includes a sense of self-development and effort towards active reinstatement of self in the social mainstream.

Can an addict lead a normal life?

Yes, and he can even progress and help other addicts during their treatment and recovery. He can restart his education, career plans, family reunification etc. He should however always completely abstain from all addictive, dependency-producing substances as there is a danger of relapse of some abuse or shift to a new abuse.

– Madhur IRCA Group’s