Why Do We Need Rehab Centers In India?

Substance abuse, or drug abuse, has become a global threat. Drug addiction and drug misuse have become a major issue that is negatively impacting physical and socioeconomic well-being worldwide. It has a significant impact on public health in many spheres of society. In India, the drug addiction epidemic among the younger population is a serious issue. The pressure and stress of contemporary living have increased a person’s susceptibility to substance abuse issues. Alcohol and Drug addiction impacts not just the addict but also their family and the larger society. Before we jump into “how important is rehab?” let’s understand the spectrum of addiction in India.

Spectrum Of The Issue

The level of drug use among children continues to be higher than that of older adults, according to the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime’s (UNODC) 2018 survey on drug use among the general population. According to the majority of research, early adolescence (12–14 years old) to late adolescence (15–17 years old) is a critical time for the initiation of substance use, and young people (18–25 years old) may experience a peak in substance use.

According to the study on the “National Survey on Extent and Pattern of Substance Use in India” (2019) by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, out of 16 crore individuals (14.6%) in the age range of 10 to 75, 5.2% are alcohol dependents, and approximately 2.8% use cannabis and 1.08% use sedatives for non-medical purposes.

Challenges In Overcoming Substance Addiction Without Professional Help

The road to rehabilitation is difficult and requires a lot of strength as well as a supportive atmosphere. Although some people might think they can overcome substance addiction with just their willpower, the truth is much more complex. There are several challenges that one may face while battling with their addiction:

• Withdrawal Symptoms:

One of the biggest challenges that comes during the recovery journey is controlling withdrawal symptoms. A person’s body reacts to a sudden cessation of substance use with a variety of physical and psychological discomforts.

Physical symptoms include feeling uneasy and nauseous, having headaches, seizures, and severe pain and discomfort in body parts.
Psychological symptoms include anxiety, fatigue, lack of sleep, sadness, mood swings, and feeling irritated all the time.

• Social Environment

Apart from withdrawal symptoms, another challenge on the road to recovery is peer pressure and the surrounding environment. It is seen that people often come under social pressure and the influence of friends to consume alcohol, which ultimately drags them back to where they have started. Also, friends and family members might not understand the complications that come with substance addiction, which makes the recovery journey even more challenging for an individual and their family.

• Fear of Transitioning Back to Normal Life

Sometimes, it is quite overwhelming for people to accept the drastic changes that are taking place when they try to transition back to their routine lives. The majority of people consume drugs and alcohol to overcome the challenges of life and stress, and quitting substances frightens them as they feel that they have to face those difficulties again.
Social Stigma

The majority of people quit in between their recovery because of the fear of being judged by society. Also, the feeling of guilt and embarrassment stops them from seeking professional help, and such negative emotions even lead them to consume more alcohol or substances.

• Justifying the Actions

People recovering without the supervision of professionals at deaddiction centers might justify their addictive actions by overlooking the rules and distorting their own thoughts with “just one more would not impact” type of habits. Professional assistance is necessary to maintain discipline during the recovery journey.

How Rehab Centres Build Stronger Foundation For People And Families In Recovery?

Going to a rehab center is quite beneficial for people facing issues with addiction. Here is why do we need a rehabilitation program:

• Rehabilitation centers provide a safe environment for individuals to recover. This helps in encouraging people to seek help and prevents them from the fear of being judged and hesitations that can hinder their recovery.
• Addiction rehab centers provide detox facilities under the supervision of doctors, which prevents them from relapsing and helps in maintaining discipline during the recovery process.
• Therapists in addiction rehab centers use different approaches which help in determining the root cause of addiction.
• Recovering with fellow rehab members stimulates a sense of belonging in people and prevents them from getting isolated. Also, sharing ideas and learning from other’s experiences is quite beneficial.

Overcoming Addiction Without Professional Assistance Is A Risky Journey

Risk of relapse, psychological and physical difficulties, as well as the absence of a supportive environment are some of the common challenges people face on their recovery journey. In addition to evidence-based therapy, medical supervision, and a caring community, rehab centers offer a safe space to heal. People are able to concentrate on their recovery, create healthy coping strategies, and reconstruct their lives on the basis of resilience and sobriety in this disciplined and supportive setting.