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As society changes, addictions take new forms
Mukta Puntambekar, director of Muktangan de-addiction centre, Vishrantwadi, is closely associated with people suffering from various types of addictions
Addictions to mobile phones among toddlers and children; alcohol and marijuana among young men and women are new trends
Mukta Puntambekar, director of Muktangan de-addiction centre, Vishrantwadi, is closely associated with people suffering from various types of addictions.
The daughter of social worker Anil Awachat and psychiatrist late Dr Anita Awachat, Puntambekar joined her parents in working at Muktangan, after she completed her graduation.
“I was 23 when I joined Muktangan as a counsellor. I had just completed my degree in clinical psychology and earned a gold medal. After observing my parents over the years, especially my mother, I chose to follow their path. Since my mother was a psychiatrist and worked at the mental hospital, we had a fair idea on how to deal with mentally ill patients and drug addicts. I would always visit Muktangan and then decided to contribute,” she said.
Understanding addiction
According to her, many people are unaware that addiction is a disease and can be treated. To treat addictions effectively, what is needed, she said, are “more quality centres” offering rehabilitation. “A majority of the people in this country are addicted to alcohol and tobacco. Another drug that has witnessed a spike among youngsters is marijuana” said Puntambekar. New forms of addictions have surfaced in the last 25 years, of which one such category, she said are “medical abusers”.
“We have been witnessing a spike in the number of people who became medical abusers, including doctors themselves. Doctors often come to us with issues like addiction to certain drugs, especially pain killers, sleeping pills and cough syrups. There are many parents who are addicted to the Internet and in turn their children fall down the same trap-hole,” said Puntambekar.
To deal with these new addictions, a behavioural addiction centre has been planned in Pune to address Internet addicts, mobile addictions specifically. “There are cases where parents along with children visit us. Parents complain about their children refusing to eat food without a mobile phone in their hand. These children displayed aggressive behaviour when the phone was taken away from them. Such addictions affect children scholastically and in the development of their brain. Hence, treatment and care are needed to deal with such addiction for which a dedicated centre will be started soon by Muktangan,” she said.
Female patients
Comparing the current situation in terms of people reported suffering from addiction, to that of 25 years ago, Puntambedkar said, “Most of the addicts reported 25 years ago were treated for heroin addiction and less for alcoholism. Most people admitted were middle aged men and we barely had any youngsters and absolutely no female clients for that matter.”
The scene has undergone a massive change. The number of young female patients skyrocketed and, in response, Muktangan started a new centre for women called “Nishigandh”.
“We started Nishigandh 10 years ago. The centre has 15 beds and every patient is admitted for 30 days no less. All the beds are usually occupied and a majority of the cases we receive are that of young women not only from Pune, but all over India” said Puntambekar.
Misunderstanding marijuana
According to Puntambekar, the youth of today believe that marijuana or “weed” is not harmful as it supposedly has medical properties, which is baseless. She points out that people who hold such views are highly unaware of the fact that only a few strains of the drug are used in medicines that treat cancer.
“It is saddening to see the various myths and misconceptions people harbour about the drug. Addiction to marijuana can lead to memory loss, aggressive behaviour and depression. People tend to misuse the drug under the idea that it is not ‘harmful’ as it has medical properties. Even if it does, why do they (healthy individuals) need it,” she asked.
Detecting, treating and preventing addictions
Precautionary measures
Treatment
Physical and medical treatment: While treating a person, one must cut off physical access to the substance from the patient. Due to sudden drop in intake, patients tend to undergo sever withdrawal symptoms which requires to be administered medically.
Psychological treatment: Regular counselling and holistic approach along with art based therapies, yoga, meditation, music therapy are required to be administered.
Post treatment: Follow-ups are very important. After 30 days admission, people are asked to visit our follow-up clinics which are located at 23 places in the country. Such patients need rehabilitation as well along with treatment
