De-addiction desperately seeks long-stay centres - ToI

De-addiction desperately seeks long-stay centres TNN | Apr 16, 2013, 06.21 AM IST PANAJI: The de-addiction treatment offered to alcoholics by stat-run healthcare is in desperate need of some 'long-stay' options. Sources say the existing de-addiction centre at Hospicio hospital, Margao, and the facility at the Institute of Psychiatry and Human Behaviour (IPHB), Bambolim, are inadequate. In Bardez, the situation is more grim, with the centre shifted from Assagao to the Mapusa district hospital 18 months ago, but yet to start. Acting medical superintendent at the hospital, Dr Shyam Talwadkar says, "Work is on to get the ward operational." While statistics for the state are sketchy, sources say the former Assagao centre alone would receive about 30 new cases of alcohol addiction every month. With nowhere to go, emergency cases are being referred to IPHB. Ex-medical superintendent, IPHB, Dr Brahma Kuncolinekar says what's offered at the institute is "only lip service". "Though IPHB offers counselling and withdrawal therapy these are not adequate to help alcoholics get off the addiction. We need long-stay de-addiction centres," he stresses. Sources say the present in-house treatment offered at government-run health institutes is for a minimum period of 10 days. Long-stay in-house treatment, on the other hand, is for a minimum period of three months where the addict is placed under constant observation and counselling. Family members are also involved proactively in the de-addiction process. Agreeing that long-stay centres are necessary, Dr Anil Rane of IPHB says what's more important is that the problem be looked at as a larger social issue and awareness be created. Mooting for long-stay centres, Panaji-based psychiatrist Dr Ajoy Estibeiro says, "The problem of alcoholism in Goa is grave and the facilities currently available are not sufficient." He feels Goa needs a "rehabilitation policy" to address the problem. Women's NGO Bailancho Saad, in a recently-concluded study, had pointed out that the second-most contributory factor leading to domestic violence in Goa is alcohol abuse. 'Alcohol tends to increase the level and intensity of violence committed by men, and the grievousness of the resulting injuries suffered by their wives,' the study found. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/De-addiction-desperately-seeks-long-stay-centres/articleshow/19571996.cms