FAQ

Any substance which when taken has an ability to change the person’s consciousness, thinking, mood, behaviour and motor functions. Also called as psychoactive substances or in Layman term: “Drugs”

  • Physical
  • Psychological
  • Family/Social
  • Occupational/
  • Financial
  • Legal

Some of the early warning signs of drug addiction are:

  • Loss of appetite / loss of weight
  • Personal neglect in the form of unkempt hair, uncut nails, dirty clothes, decreased frequency of bathing, poor dental hygiene.
  • Frequent mood fluctuations ranging from grandiosity to depression.
  • Increase in monetary and emotional demands.
  • Drooping eyelids.
  • Hollowed eyes and dark circles under eyes.
  • Comes home late and at odd hours.
  • Avoiding old friends and family.
  • Compulsive lying
  • Disappearance of articles and personal belongings.
  • Unburnt loose tobacco – in the ashtray.
  • Needle marks or abscesses on forearms, burnt tips of thumb, forefinger and middle finger.
  • Direct evidence in the form of a vial, stained coin, candle, foil may also be found.

Studies on relapse have consistently shown that relapse is a process, whose final step is drinking or drug use. Many things happen before a person picks up the drink or drug. The relapse process is inevitable; it is a basic symptom of the disease of addiction. However, the process can be arrested before patients get to that first drink or drug, and reversed. Arresting and reversing the relapse process is a lifelong aspect of recovery from alcoholism and drug addiction.

Some of the early warning signs of drug addiction are:
• Loss of appetite / loss of weight
• Personal neglect in the form of unkempt hair, uncut nails, dirty clothes, decreased frequency of bathing, poor dental hygiene.
• Frequent mood fluctuations ranging from grandiosity to depression.
• Increase in monetary and emotional demands.
• Drooping eyelids.
• Hollowed eyes and dark circles under eyes.
• Comes home late and at odd hours.
• Avoiding old friends and family.
• Compulsive lying
• Disappearance of articles and personal belongings.
• Unburnt loose tobacco – in the ashtray.
• Needle marks or abscesses on forearms, burnt tips of thumb, forefinger and middle finger.
• Direct evidence in the form of a vial, stained coin, candle, foil may also be found.

Addiction is a lifelong, chronic progressive illness. Experience shows it to be a stable diagnosis (i.e., even after a period of time of sobriety, return to drinking will result in rapid deterioration to worse levels than previously). One often quoted aspect of alcoholism is that it is “cunning, baffling and powerful.” Often the desire to “safely” use addictive drugs is a symptom of the disease, and addicts and alcoholics may not know it. In this case, the only safe course of action is to address the relapse trigger, rather than take the drug. Alcoholism/ Addiction is not a curable illnesses, but it can be arrested and then recovery is possible.

Remember that not wanting treatment is a typical symptom of the disease of addiction. All patients with the disease of addiction go through periods where they don’t want help. Some people stay there and never want help; some people do have moments of great pain where they are ready to accept help. Often, an intervention can be instrumental in motivating the individual to seek help. Drug addiction is a chronic, progressive, and ultimately fatal disease. An intervention can help the person get treatment even when he / she is suffering from the core symptom of denial.

The primary objective of the centre is the total rehabilitation of the addict after having been treated for drug dependence. To facilitate the self sustainability of the addict/dependent family members, an IRCA would avail of the services available through various schemes/ programs of the Govt/State through effective networking. The addicts are helped to analyze themselves, confront defensive behavior and learn coping patterns. While a fixed period cannot be prescribed for the treatment of all the addicts, as the period of treatment will differ with type and severity of addiction (whether alcohol or drugs) and between individual addicts, a period of one month would generally be required for an addict to undergo the various phases of counseling, detoxification, de-addiction and psychological recovery. However longer or shorter period of stay may be required in certain cases, depending upon individual circumstances.

Yes, and they can even progress and help other addicts during their treatment and recovery. They can restart their education, career plans, family reunification etc. They should however always completely abstain from all addictive and mood altering substances.

Inpatient rehab is a residential treatment center where patients reside for various lengths depending on their program. The average stay is 30 days, but most addiction treatment facilities offer longer programs (60 days, 90 days or even longer). The length of treatment depends on several factors, including the severity of the addiction, the existence of any co-occurring mental health conditions, and whether the person has been through rehab before.
Most inpatient centers offer family programs, where members of the patient’s family participate in family counseling and activities. This provides the opportunity to mend trust and identify dysfunctional relationships or dynamics that could trigger a relapse. Families can help encourage and support their loved one by being actively involved in their recovery.

What is the role of family members?

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

• They need to accept that the addict is ill, and in need of treatment like any other disease.
• They need to play a remedial role as prescribed by the counsellor
• Changing their thinking, feeling and behavior patterns is necessary
• It is important to play a vigilant role in case the patient slips back to addiction