Rehab centres make good business in India

A number of de-addiction centres have sprung up across the country following a rise in the incidence of alcoholism. In the absence of a mechanism to monitor such centres, doctors caution against quacks out to make a fast buck.

According to a report, there were around 20 de-addiction centres in Delhi in 2001, but since then, the number has doubled. "If you take into account the unregistered ones along with the ones run by the government and those run by unscrupulous elements, the numbers are much higher," says Dr Gurumukh Singh who runs a de-addiction centre in the capital.

Sociologists and doctors point out that the increase in de- addiction or rehab centres only points that alcoholism is on the rise.

"Alcoholism has always been a problem but it is only now that it is becoming more visible," says Rajiv M, chairman, Alcoholics Anonymous, Delhi, a fellowship of victims of alcoholism.

However, with the increasing number of de-addiction centres, it seems that many centres may not quite live up to their name. "Now, one finds that almost in every area one has a de-addiction centre. But, the numbers are not important. The main thing is whether they are doing a service or a business," questions Singh.

De-addiction centres usually charge between Rs 2,500 to Rs 20,000 per month and given the fact that usually a de-addiction course runs for a period of three months, many have now turned it into a profitable business.

According to sources in the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the rates charged by de-addiction centres does not reflect the quality of the centers. "The services offered will be different. But, yes, the results of de-addiction on a large number of people who enter these centres is not good. A person's willpower also matters," says an official working with UNODC.

Though the official refused to comment on the conditions of de-addiction centres, she said, "We should be cautious of quacks who might enter this field. An exhaustive study should be undertaken to evaluate the de-addiction centres."

Dr Gautam Bhatia, Director, Sahyog Clinic, a de-addiction centre says he himself had to undergo counseling for alcoholism before leaving his practice and setting up a de-addiction centre. "The only way, one can remove the problem of alcoholism is through awareness. Medical and counseling help comes in later," he says.

"Drinking has now become a trend. Peer pressure is also one of the reasons why many start drinking at a lower age besides of course many other reasons. And moreover there are lot of myths about alcohol in the society. Alcohol causes a bio-chemical reaction in the body and one tends to get addicted to it," says well-renowned psychologist, Dr Sameer Parekh who points out that even those as young as 15 years have come to him to be treated for their drinking habit.

Dr Singh says, "There are many centres in Delhi which charge as low as Rs 2500 per month for treatment. I just fail to understand how one can afford it provided that one has to provide food, room and also the medicine and counseling. Most of the new centres have been opened by people who are addicts themselves and hence these centres are a source of concern."

One of the main organisations working among alcoholics is Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) who state that an alcoholic who no longer drinks has an exceptional faculty for "reaching" and helping an uncontrolled drinker.

The AA programme operates when a recovered alcoholic passes along the story of his or her own problem drinking, describes the sobriety he or she has found in AA, and invites the newcomer to join the informal fellowship.

Dr Singh, though appreciates the trend in increase in de-addiction centres with a sense of skepticism, he says, "There should be proper guidelines to check such centres."

"Alcoholism is a disease which needs to be taken care of. Drinking has now gained social acceptance. Alcohol is served at get-togethers, parties and is not considered a taboo. The dangerous trend is that the drinking age is coming down among people," states Dr Bhatia.

He further adds, "The whole belief that it is okay to have a beer or low alcohol drink is just too frivolous. After all, even the small quantity of alcohol gives you buzz and then you gradually move on to stronger drinks to get a better buzz."

"One of the main handicap is that there is no government study to prove that alcoholism is high in Delhi but since we are in this field and have come across many patients both older and younger, we know it," says Dr Bhatia.

The liquor industry, however, seems to be happy with the increase in sales. "The beer industry continues to remain in high spirits this year after a great show in 2006. While last year there was a growth of 15 per cent this year, it is expected to register a growth of more than 24 per cent," says Sandeep Kumar, director of Sabmiller India and an office bearer of All India Brewers Association (AIBA).

Encouraging the shift from high alcohol to low alcoholic drinks, the government has reduced the rates of duty on wine. The rates of duty on beer is already on the lower side compared to hard liquor, thereby making the availability of beer/wine at attractive rates exhorting people to consume low alcoholic drinks compared to high alcoholic drinks, according to the official website of Delhi government's excise department.

Zee News