AS A FAMILY MEMBER, I HAVE SO MANY INSECURITIES ABOUT THE TREATMENT ?

Whether my son will be able to adjust in treatment? One mother asked in one of our family counselling meetings. This is the first and most common question asked by families out of anxieties for their loved ones. We modified this question for better understanding for rest of the people present there. Our counsellor asked her to think whether her son would be able to survive without drugs; whether he will perform daily activities without hallucinations; whether he will live a fruitful and productive life.  

It is very obvious that without drugs a new resident in treatment loses his patience. He reacts, he craves for his past life when he dominated his family and took drugs. There he was getting every kind of facility, the best parents could provide, but still he was using drugs. So in the treatment also he is getting everything but not the thing which he desire the most, i.e. his ‘DRUGS’.  So the question of whether he is comfortable in the agency does not arise. In fact, here the main focus is not on his comfortability but on his correction of behaviour. Hence in comparison to his using life, he has a routine and disciplined life in SHAFA, which he has never observed earlier. His every second is scheduled here. There is a proper time for every activity due to which corrections in the life of an addict are made.

Next, a lady asked what is the minimum time the guy would get ready and motivated for long term treatment. On this we responded that based on our experiences it takes approx  2 to 3 months, provided families strongly convey their decision to complete his treatment. This helps the resident to break his notions and “image” and he starts adapting to the treatment in reality.

After seeing people getting emotional, it was brought to their attention that they have always been emotional in front of their loved ones in addiction but in return they have always blackmailed them. These feelings were used by the addict for his own convenience. Addicts take undue advantage of the family members and take their love and affection for granted. Unless and until families don’t learn to see through the emotional blackmail plan of their loved ones, no treatment can be successful and complete.

“These lines are purely based on my past experiences, presently what i am relearning and a bright hope for the future”...................................... Azhar

(Written by:- Azhar, Recovering from his 12 years experience during addiction, few unstable and irregular stints in recovery and finally in the process of recovery for the last two years now.)