26th June, Celebrating World Anti Drug Day

CELEBRATIONS AT SHAFA – IN OUR OWN WAY

26th

June a significant day when the entire world celebrates the “International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking Day”. This day was started in 1987 by the United Nations General Assembly, to help create a society free of illegal drugs and drug abuse. Today this day is now in its 26th year and its pro-health campaign is stronger than ever. Therefore, the international theme for 2013 was set as "Make health your 'new high' in life, not drugs".

 We in Shafa also celebrated this remarkable day, where more than 150 residents took an oath of living a drug free life. The program started with a heart rendering speech by one of the resident about the importance of the day and at the cost one pays for each puff, each drink and for each shoot he involves into. The audience was spellbound by his candid speech. 

On this occasion they also presented skit/plays, based on how a person gets into using drugs, peer pressure in college, crisis and hardship he faces in life and finally the holistic plan of treatment to come out of this problem. A dance was presented by the residents, depicting the difference of “Celebrations with drugs” & “Celebrations without drugs”. They also set their own theme “Abhi Nahi & Kabhi Nahi” (“Not Now, Not Ever”). Then there were guys who sang songs like Main “Zindagi Ka Saath Nibhaata Chala Gaya”, “Emptiness”, “Jawani Phir Na Aaye” and many more. The entire Shafa Home including staff, residents and volunteers took part in the activities which also included jokes, shayaris and quiz.

Prizes were distributed to the first three best winner in each category and also to best member of the day, best performance and more. Last but not the least C.E.O. of Shafa Home Mr. Ranjan Dhar spoke on this occasion and made everyone aware about the importance of living a drug free and quality life and left them with a thought, provoking them to think what they had lost today.

                                                     

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.)