Role of families in battling alcoholism lauded

Alcoholism is now claiming more youngsters and doctors are treating patients who suffer silent heart attacks and diabetes.

At the Rajaji Centre for Deaddiction, Voluntary Health Services, youngsters in the 25 to 35 years age group who come for de-addiction have history of silent ischemia and heart attacks and diabetes. While the age of exposure to alcohol has fallen to 13 years, the centre is also treating school dropouts, aged 13-14, who are addicted to typewriting thinners and glue smelling.

Last year, the centre received 5,690 persons of which 206 were admitted for alcohol de-addiction. The centre, which celebrated its 19th anniversary recently, rewarded those who had given up alcohol for a year or more.

Doctors who participated in the event paid rich tributes to the families of men who had won the battle over alcoholism.

VHS's honorary secretary E.S. Krishnamoorthy who deemed it a privilege to be associated with the centre which had dedicated staff, said it was family that ensured that people gained strength to rebuild their health.

In the last 10 years, there had been a 100 per cent increase in the consumption of alcohol, said Lakshmi Vijayakumar, head and consultant psychiatrist, VHS.

Expressing concern at the increase in consumption of alcohol, she said around 60 per cent of road traffic accident injuries and 20 per cent of head injuries were due to drinking. Revenue from sale of alcohol is Rs.200 billion, but the government spends Rs.238 billion on treating alcohol-induced diseases, accident victims, loss of work and expenses incurred by the police, Dr. Lakshmi said.

She urged the patients to spread the word about the centre so that more people could be redeemed. The Centre had 38 per cent success rate in ensuring that those who came to the centre for treatment did not return to alcohol.

Providing encouragement

By rewarding those who had given up alcohol, the centre hoped to encourage others to follow the example, she said.

Actor Rohini said, as the head of the family the husband had an important role to play. “Reach out to others who need help and make them opt for de-addiction. It is a service that will go a long way,” she said.

Managing trustee of Agni Trust Sivasankari, recalled the effort made to set up the centre. Donor Chitra Ramani and dermatologist B. Srinivas felicitated Dr. Lakshmi.