Chennai: In what could be a morale booster to the anti-liquor activists in Tamil Nadu, psychiatrists and experts at the Rajaji Centre for De-addiction, under the Department of Psychiatry, Voluntary Health Services (VHS), in the city, have urged the government to enhance the age limit of alcohol consumption.
With about 3,000 new cases (of alcohol addiction) per year, despite the Centre’s high treatment rate of 30 percent – on par with the treatment centres abroad, the VHS has seen an increase of 15 – 20 percent addicts in the last five years.
“Alcohol addiction is not all about an individual habit, but it concerns his or her family members and leads to medical and psychological problems. On the flip side, it impacts the economy corroding away the earnings – at least about 70 percent in the case of daily wage workers,” claims Dr Lakshmi Vijayakumar, head, department of psychiatry.
The wives of alcoholics suffer from depression. About 40 percent of the domestic violence is caused by alcoholic husbands while 30 per cent suicides happen because of addiction to alcohol. “We adopt a humane approach in treating the addicts. In fact, while treating them we end up getting beaten by the addicts,” claims Dr R Mani, Incharge, Rajaji De-addiction Center, VHS.
“The treatment is beyond detoxification. We look at the person’s family background, his health conditions and take up appropriate treatment and counselling,” Dr Lakshmi, who is a consultant psychiatrist at the Rajaji De-addiction Center, told reporters along with Prof. S Suresh, Hon Secretary, VHS, and Dr B Mala, Project Director, VHS. In several cases, women are induced into the habit by their spouses.
Young adolescents, adults prone to addiction
Young adolescents and also adults in the 20 to 30 age group are more prone to addiction due to changing lifestyles. Work stress, peer pressure, odd working hours, higher disposable income, family history of abuse and mental health issues are among the numerous factors leading to addiction and substance abuse. Hence, there is an urgent need to increase the age limit for consuming alcohol and also wind up the Tasmac outlets near educational institutions, Dr Lakshmi stressed.
Realising that young adolescents are addicted to inhaling glue vapours - petrol, the VHS took up awareness programme targeting the specific group.
