Kerala - Kochi   

A new lease of life for alcoholics

LIFE WITHOUT ALCOHOL: A participant at a get-together held at the RHIMA De-addiction Centre in Kochi. — Photo: H. Vibhu

For all those who had gathered at the RHIMA De-addiction Centre, Kaithevelli, on Kannamali Road, life has become more meaningful.

"I was working in the supplies department with the Defence Services and did not have to pay for my drink. Drinking had become a habit. It was my wife who looked after the family," said one of them, who gave up alcohol after the treatment session at RHIMA. Now, he looks after his family.

Another person, who has been on treatment for two years, has been reunited with his wife. "She left me because I was quite a drunkard," he said.

"Three pegs in the morning, two in the afternoon and five at night was routine for me," said another patient, who has been at the centre for the last six months. "Now, I have been able to repay some of my loans," he said.

However, not all have been able to kick the habit, said social worker P.R. Mohandas, who is also the project coordinator. Since the last two years, 421 people have undergone treatment and 25 per cent have been able to abstain from drinking.

There some people who have taken to alcohol a second time and then turned to RHIMA, said Mr. Mohandas.

A study taken up by the de-addiction centre found that 40 per cent of the five lakh residents in West Kochi, comprising Fort Kochi, Mattancherry, Palluruthy and up to Chellanam, were alcoholics and many took to substance abuse as well.

The centre, aimed at curbing rampant alcoholism and substance abuse, was started as a joint venture between the Indian Medical Association, Cochin West, and the Rotary Club of Cochin Harbour.

Sushil Daniel, project director, says over 80 per cent of the patients at the centre are alcoholics. "Our success rate with drug addicts is only about one to three per cent. They are a lot more difficult to treat," Dr. Daniel says. However, the presence of people who have given up drugs at the get- together is a boost for the programme.

The centre has a 15-bed in-patient facility with a 21-day free treatment. Psychiatrists, psychologists, medical practitioners, social workers and counsellors handle the treatment sessions.

A Meeting of Alcohol Anonymous was started two years ago. So far, 588 people have attended the meetings.

RHIMA's vocational training and rehabilitation programme attempts to address the root cause of alcoholism — lack of jobs.

The centre has tie-ups with corporates and industries to provide jobs and impart skills for self-employment. Setting up micro-enterprises is another activity taken up by the centre.

The centre organised a programme on the eve of the International Drug and Drug Trafficking Prevention Day, which was also its second anniversary. Sebastian Paul, MP, and C.M. Yoshith, regional assistant director, Social Welfare Department, addressed the meeting.

Shyama Rajagopal

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