Family Support for Treatment

• October 24, 2017
• By Admin
• Blogs

The oncoming months beckons the beginning of a slew of festivals in India from Raksha Bandhan, Onam, Ganesh Chaturthi, Dussehra, Diwali, Eid, Christmas etc. India being the melting pot of cultures that it is, festivals comes in abundance. And with the way how we celebrate it is changing so fast and furiously, the norm of popping the cork for every celebration pan socio-economic groups and cultures has rooting into Indian culture quite comfortably. And although to an extent it is all fun and good, it is quietly taking a darker turn on its deeper impact.

There is an alarming rise in alcohol, drug and substance addiction. From festive indulgence to addictive daily indulgence, people are falling victims to struggle for control over their own personality and every physical and psychological action, against being controlled by their addiction. The struggle for de-addiction often appears to an onlooker like a Mental retardation. As a consequence, their behavior is often misjudged and misdiagnosed as psychiatric disorder like OCD, Schizophrenia, bipolar. Etc.

Such misdiagnosis often lead to stigmas, discriminated, being stripped of all dignity in societies, even so far as to be ostracized by one’s own family. Their actual cries for help going unheard, their struggle ignored. Their growing depression goes unaddressed. Chronic ailments evoke sympathy and compassion in people, but mental ailments evokes disgust, hatred and fear due to lack of awareness. Resultantly, they become victims of being pushed involuntary into facilities where they are heavily medicated and do not see the light of freedom for months or even years. But treatment without compassion and love is not treatment at all.

Because what they really require is an environment that is loving, non-judgmental (depression has already damaged their self-esteem enough), accepting and compassionate. Samyak strive to provide a space for rehabilitation where they can be themselves without fear or shame- for, these are the only circumstances where they can accept themselves, begin loving themselves, at the same time taking responsibility for their lives and learn to enjoy living and reach a stage within themselves of not finding need to use substances. This enables them to own their dignity. This is the only crucible in which real change can take birth and grow.

So this festive season, let us show love and compassion towards ourselves first and then our fellow beings, in equal measure.