An Insight to the World of De-Addiction & Rehabilitation

Young Nada interns visit a De- addiction centre for the first time only to get amazed. Find out what brought smile on their faces.

By Vindhya Vatsyayan

"Dii! we want to experience something real on this occasion of International Day against Drug abuse", said one of the Nada Interns during our last focus group discussion.What could be more real than having a word with the sufferers itself, I thought. And I instantly decided to take them for a visit to "The Beginning Of New Life" De-addiction and Rehabilitation Centre, Mandi Gaon, New Delhi.They looked a little scared because of their preconceived notions about drug and drug addicts but were very much ready to explore this new side of their surroundings. 

It was 29th June,2012 when we all gathered outside Chattarpur Metro Station for our visit to the De-addiction centre. I think it only took 10 minutes for the interns to become comfortably a part of that place, they were no more hesitant to ask any questions and very curiously started interviewing two of the enrolled inmates, then two more and finally they got to talk with the people running this centre for last 3 years. They were eagerly waiting to see the inside of the centre, that how the treatment is done...what all is done and yes finally they got to see everything.

One thing which was there on every intern's face was a realization, that we live in a very diverse society having all its good and bad...You accept it or not...but it is there for sure.

All their perceptions about drug/alcohol addicts broke down after that visit.


Lets see what they posted on our Pehchaan Radio Club Facebook group after the visit...

"....After the visit to the addiction center I realized how wrong I was who used to think that the one trial makes no difference but some times something traps you and you don't even realize it. The look towards them showed me one different world which can cause disasters in one’s life with one step only" -Sakshee, Nada Intern.

".... I have never been able to sympathize with addicts and have always thought that they were very weak willed and insecure about themselves........but now that perception has totally changed! I have understood that mistakes are just an inevitable part of life and those who can rise beyond that are actually the ones worth looking up-to." -Rakshitha, Nada Intern.

"....I was a little nervous that whether, we will be able to do this, will they cooperate with us? I always thought that addicts must be very rude in talking and in behavior... but there was nothing like that I really enjoyed talking to them and didn't felt that they are addicts." -Aditi, Nada Intern.

"...It was an amazing visit.. when I talked to those addicts ..I found that they are not different from us in any way...the difference is just that they are addicted to drugs,alcohol...and we are not...I suggest evryone to step out from their homes n visit 'The beginning of new life 'de-addiction and rehab centre." -Neelam, Nada Intern.

We concluded the visit on the note that  Drug or alcohol addiction is a disease and is very much treatable...It can happen to anyone!! Treat addicts just like any other patient with equal respect & dignity and help them fight this deadly disease!!

Nada India has been conducting a research cum action project on Acudetox program for the inmates of The Beginning of New Life for the last 9 months.

I thank the whole team of The Beginning of New Life De-addiction & rehabilitation centre, a network member of Nada India Foundation for giving us an insight to the unknown world of De-addiction & Rehabilitation.