FAQs

Can addiction be treated?

Yes. Addiction can be treated successfully. There has been significant scientific research over the years in the field of addiction and its treatment. This has led to the development of evidence-based interventions in substance use disorders that helps people stop abusing alcohol and other drugs and resume sober, productive lives.

Is there a cure for addiction?

Addiction is a chronic disease. That means it is incurable; however it is treatable. Like other incurable diseases such as diabetes or heart disease, it can be managed successfully. Treatment helps the affected person to counter addiction's powerful disruptive effects on the brain and behaviour of the addict. If treatment is adhered to, the addict can regain manageability and achieve balance in their lives.

Does a relapse mean that addiction treatment has failed?

Not really. The disease of addiction is chronic. Thant means that a relapse is likely at any time - just as a relapse is likely in other chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension, asthma or heart disease. These diseases also have physical and behaviourial components. Treatment involves changing thinking and behaviour patterns. Therefore a relapse does not mean treatment has failed. It only means that the treatment has to be reviewed or reinforced.

What are the main elements of effective addiction treatment?

Research indicates that a combination of medications and behavioural therapy is the most effective treatment method. Community support groups are also important in maintaining recovery.

How can medications help in drug addiction treatment?

Different types of medications may be useful at different stages of treatment. This helps in stop abusing drugs, stay in treatment, and prevent relapse.

Withdrawal management

- When an individual first stops using drugs or alcohol, he or she may experience a variety of uncomfortable physical and emotional symptoms. Certain medications are designed to reduce these symptoms, and make this stage easier.

Staying in Treatment

- Some medications may be used during treatment to help the brain adapt gradually to the absence of the abused drug. These medications help in minimizing cravings, thereby helping the addict to focus on counselling and psychotherapeutic inputs.

Preventing Relapse

- Addiction experts have identified that certain triggers such as stress and cues linked to the individual's drug and alcohol using experience cause a person to get into a relapse mode. Medications are being developed to counter such triggers and help the person sustain his or her recovery.

How does behavioural therapy work in addiction treatment?

Behaviourial therapy such as CBT (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy) helps in modifying attitudes, enhance life skills to handle stressful circumstances and environmental factors that may trigger craving and lead to relapse. Behavioural therapies can also complement the effectiveness of medications and help people remain in treatment longer. Since addiction affects all areas of the person, treatment must address the whole person, including his social, ethical and spiritual areas.

What about the duration of treatment?

Since addiction is a chronic condition, recovery is a lifelong process. Actually, treatment may be viewed as a continual process of relapse prevention.
However, research has indicated that a minimum of three months (90 days) is required to effectively manage withdrawals, provide therapies and prepare the addict to enter a new life. The 'Gold Standard' of 90 days is increasingly advocated throughout the world, even in the United States by leading rehabs such as the Hazelden Betty Ford. In cases of dual diagnosis - when the addict has a co-occurring psychiatric condition - the duration may be extended and Relapse prevention programme of 45days is suggested.

What is the best model of addiction treatment?

The most effective treatment programs need to help the addict get into recovery from a life that has been dominated by the obsessions and compulsive behaviours of active addiction. The addict has been living a life that is a never-ending cycle of chasing his or her drug of choice and completely ignoring family, work and health. To be successful, treatment should address all these areas.
Moreover, good rehabs also provide support to the families of the addict or alcoholic. Since addiction affects not just the individual but all those around him, appropriate education and counselling should be provided to the family members. This helps in repairing the damages caused to others and goes a long way in rebuilding broken relationships. Family support is also found to be useful in minimizing the chances of relapse.
Therefore, the best treatments incorporate a variety of therapeutic services into an integrated model. This then is individualized to suit the person in recovery. The treatment is aimed to addressing all affected areas of an addict's life - physical, psychological, emotional, social and spiritual.
Parivartan Foundation rehab offers an integrated model that has proven to be most effective in treatment of drug addiction, alcoholism, gambling and dual diagnosis. It incorporates a menu of services that include medications, cognitive therapy, Yoga, meditation, 12 Step principles and family support. This aids the overall recovery of the person from a medical, psychological, social, emotional and spiritual perspective.

What is provided, apart from therapy?

Following are included:
-- Three meals a day (includes vegetarian and non-vegetarian); special meals/diet based on medical requirements
-- Beverages (tea & coffee)
-- Filtered water and refrigerators
-- Personal requirements such as toiletries, snacks and juices
-- Housekeeping
-- Laundry services
-- Hair-dresser
-- Basic gym facilities
-- TVs with satellite channels in common areas, recreational facilities (indoor games)
-- Round-the-clock medical support
-- AC rooms with limited sharing and upgraded facilities (en suite bathroom, closet, air conditioner, and 24/7 hot & cold running water). All rooms and bathrooms are maintained daily by the housekeeping staff.
-- Lifestyle modification includes Aerobics, Yoga, meditation and intensive addiction treatment based Mindfulness sessions.

How does the security system work in the centre?

Security guards and CCTV cameras are located on every floor. Ours is a closed rehab and permission is needed for clients to exit the facility.

When and how can families communicate with their loved ones?

The assigned counsellor is the point of contact between family and the institution and can be reached during working hours. Please note that any interaction (phone calls/Skype calls/visits) with family is in a structured therapeutic way and is at the discretion of the assigned counsellor and determined by therapy requirements. Generally these calls are allowed on weekends with prior information. Patient's status is updated to families/support persons regularly apart from status report sent via email on monthly basis.

What does the programme involve?

Addiction is a disease in itself and requires a personalised care plan to address it in a holistic manner. The individual physical, social, emotional, mental and spiritual (holistic approach) needs are to be dealt with for an overall positive well-being. One major aspect of well-being is lifestyle modification, and therefore we have a daily routine designed for the clients with a hope to inculcate a habit of leading a structured and healthy lifestyle.

The recovery program, guided by the therapy team, involves the WHO-approved 12 Steps Program that addresses the disease in a holistic manner. We also focus on the client's personality improvement and this is done through various psychotherapeutic tools such as daily lectures, input sessions, Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy, Group Therapy, Yoga, Meditation, and Mindfulness. Each client is assigned a Primary Counsellor who conducts individual counselling sessions regularly so as to check the progress of the therapy and to help deal with other personal issues of the client.

Is there a therapy team?

Yes, a qualified and experienced therapy team with different educational backgrounds and experience work together to provide optimal personalized care to the client.

Will there be any kind of literature given to the patients?

Yes, recovery literature is provided to clients on arrival, apart from other therapy literature and workbooks that are given for their personality development and to address individual issues.

Do the clients bring their own clothing?

Yes. The clients have to bring their own clothing at the time of admission - comfortable and casual attire is recommended. Clients should also bring their own towels. However, linen, blankets, Yoga mats are provided.

Is the patient allowed any kind of physical fitness?

All patients are provided with basic gym facilities that they can utilise at their leisure time; apart from this there is daily Yoga (except Sundays).

Who looks after the medication for the patient?

We have nursing staff and medical personnel on site 24/7.

Is there any violence used in the facility?

Any sort of physical or verbal violence is strictly prohibited. However, in very rare cases, if the client poses harm to themselves or others around them, they may be temporarily medically restrained.

What are the medical facilities like?

Apart from the resident medical officer, a senior physician and psychiatrist visit regularly to check on the clients. However, it must be stressed that ours is not a full-fledged medical facility and the client will be shifted to a speciality hospital in case of any acute medical eventuality. Families are required to attend immediately on being notified. Will the clients be allowed to access the internet or utilise the phone to make calls as per their will? No. Clients are not allowed to access the internet at will. Phone calls and Skype sessions are regularly scheduled and supervised by the assigned counsellors. No gadgets are allowed to be carried on person by patients during their stay. This is done to avoid de-focussing the client from therapy matters.

What role can the family play during the client's treatment?

We recognise that addiction is a family disease. Families are educated on various aspects of addiction, co-dependency and therapy structure to improve their awareness. Family's concerns are addressed through in person, phone and skype counselling sessions. We deeply encourage family members to attend support group meetings outside the treatment centre. The other services provided by us for family per se are:
-- Marital Counselling
-- Family Counselling
-- Boundary Setting
-- Psychological Counselling
-- Family Intervention Sessions
-- Communication Sessions

What happens after the treatment?

After the discharge, we recommend the clients and the families to follow-up with us at least once a month in person, via phone, or Skype so as to address ongoing challenges in early recovery. We recommend these follow-up sessions for 12 to 18 months post discharge. Meanwhile, both the clients and the families are expected to attend self-help group meetings in their neighbourhood for a better prognosis.