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Centre for research to be set up

Staff Reporter

To tackle drug addiction

Nagercoil: Non-governmental organisation Athencottasan Muthamizh Kazhagam (AMK), which is running de-addiction centres at Nadvoorkarai near Mondaicadu and Nagercoil, has decided to set up a research centre at Nadvoorkarai to explore the reasons of addiction among youth.

The AMK was helping addicts resume normal lives in different parts of the district. In this connection, the organisation conducted a survey on the behaviour of addicts in the district, particularly the young.

Speaking to The Hindu, AMK director Arul Kannan said that the objective of the treatment was to achieve the twin goals of abstinence from alcohol and other drugs for life, and effecting positive changes towards enhancing the quality of life.

The residential programme included multi-disciplinary therapeutic programme conducted by a team that included a psychiatrist, physicians, psychologists, social workers, counsellors and nursing staff.

The duration would be 25 days. The affected persons are admitted to the detoxification unit where the required medical treatment is given.

Withdrawal symptoms due to sudden stoppage of drug usage and health problems associated with addiction are dealt with.

When the physical condition of the patient stabilises, he is transferred to psychological therapy programme which includes individual care, thought for the day through a story (sharing and reflection), re-educative lecture sessions (information and practical guidelines), group activities (to reinforce the educational components), group therapy (open sharing and mutual understanding and support), individual counselling (to deal with personal issues and develop individualised treatment plan) and relaxation therapy.

As follow-up measures are an important part of the treatment and it would be maintained for a period of five years, patients are encouraged to meet the doctor and their counsellors regularly for medical advice.

Patients and family members are encouraged to attend Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Al-Anon meetings. As a part of family programme, regular meetings would be conducted in order to provide information about addiction, helping the family in coping with their emotions.

More than 4,000 members, who underwent treatment in these centres, were leading happy lives, said Kannan.

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