The Hindu Business Line : Rallying the fighting spirit

When Rajesh's (name changed) wife died in 1996 in an accident, his world crumbled. "For two years I did nothing but drink from morning to night," grieves Rajesh. He was living in Bangalore then. Unable to tolerate his obsessive drinking, his father and brothers left him.

Rajesh then shifted to Chennai to start a new life. But his drinking continued. Just when life seemed out of control, there was a sudden ray of hope... in the form of TTK Hospital's T.T. Ranganathan Clinical Research Foundation, an exclusive de-addiction centre for obsessive drinkers and drug addicts.

A one-month therapy brought Rajesh some succour. But when his business collapsed, he resumed drinking nine months later. He had to return for extended treatment and counselling.

For five years now, this 40-year-old interior designer has remained sober. However, he believes in taking things one day at a time. "If I don't touch alcohol in the morning, I know I can work sensibly till evening," says Rajesh, who was at the hospital for a feedback session.

As he looks at Shanthi Ranganathan, the moving force behind the hospital, there is a glint of gratitude in his eyes. The foundation, which has completed 25 years, has been touching the lives of several such people quietly, thanks to the unstinted efforts of its Honorary Director, Shanthi.

Located in serene and verdant environs, the 43,000 sq ft, 65-bed hospital has treated around 15,000 patients till date, with a recovery rate of 55 per cent.

Acknowledging its pioneering efforts in addiction management, the Government of India recognised the TTK Hospital as the regional centre (South) for resource and training. The centre has developed certain minimum standards of care to be adopted by other centres treating addiction..

Overcoming personal grief

The inception of the hospital actually owes to a personal tragedy. Shanthi's husband was addicted to alcohol. "Since there was no support system in India, we took him to the US for treatment. That's when we realised alcoholism was a treatable disease. Unfortunately he died," says Shanthi. Although her husband's death in 1979 rattled her, it also motivated her to help others afflicted by this "disease."

After training at the Hazelden Institute in the US, Shanthi returned in 1980 to set up a small day-care centre for alcoholics in Chennai. In 1987, the hospital shifted premises and became an in-patient facility.

Treatable disease

Contrary to the belief that alcohol addiction results from lack of will power and irresponsible behaviour, Shanthi says it is a `disease'. "But alcoholism is not merely a medical problem. A person who succumbs to alcohol cannot work properly, becomes spiritually bankrupt and unable to interact with people. He cannot enjoy even the basic things we take for granted. There is a great physical and psychological dependence on alcohol," she explains.

But what triggers addiction? "It can start due to a variety of reasons: peer pressure, low feelings, social drinking and, at some point, the person crosses the limit... but the reason is immaterial. The point is alcoholism is treatable. All you need is a good support system. And there is more awareness today compared to 25 years ago; there is less denial," explains Shanthi, who hails from the TTK family.

"We were the only centre for a long time. Now there are 400 centres in the country, funded by the Ministry of Social Justice," she adds.

Strength in fellowship

Shanthi uses techniques such as group therapy and story telling, apart from individual counselling. "Group therapy is the most significant component of de-addiction. Being with others, sharing and identifying problems help sort out issues... In fact, Alcoholics Anonymous is the most effective method of helping alcoholics," emphasises this Padmi Shri awardee.

A postgraduate in social work administration, Shanthi says alcoholism is not only a debilitating disease for the patient, but is also a painful experience for the family. "The wife cannot share her problems with others, she suppresses all her emotions within." The matter gets compounded if the husband resorts to denial and violence. This can even lead to suicidal tendencies. The children may also be affected and take to drinking."

Family members too undergo a programme at this centre. "While we reiterate to the family that their support is important, we also tell them that their lives are equally important. They have a right to take care of themselves."

TTK Hospital also conducts community outreach programme in villages. It has organised around 91 camps in the last 16 years.

Is the situation different in rural and urban settings? "In the village, the entire community rallies behind the affected person. The villagers take on responsibilities and prevent relapses. There is less denial in rural areas, as drinking happens in the open, unlike in cities where people put on a façade. In the villages, the family accepts a person who has recovered and trusts him totally," says Shanthi, who received the United Nations Vienna Civil Society Award in 1999.

Touching lives

For each year that a person stays sober, the centre rewards him with a medal. `Sobriety years' are celebrated as `birthdays', which mark a new chapter in one's life. Shanthi says it's a moment of great pride for the family and the community and she is touched whenever someone comes to her with sweets, after giving up alcohol.

"It is not enough to make a patient physically fit, we must rebuild his life brick by brick. When we cure a person's alcoholism, his lifestyle too improves dramatically. In the village, there is great celebration. Women wear new saris. The family gets the house electrified, gets daughters married or even builds a house... For every patient we treat, we touch the lives of four others. The wife is freed of anxiety, parents and children too are touched," she says

Shanthi remembers a 22-year-old man from Mumbai who came to her centre in 1988. "After he gave up drugs, he went back home and started a business. What's more, he has entirely funded Tejas, the vocational centre, collecting money from various people. This is his way of showing his gratitude," says Shanthi with pride, adding, "Our patients are our greatest ambassadors. Their success stories are a great motivation for others to give up alcohol."

The rehab process...

The primary care at the centre is spread over a month. The first week involves de-toxification, where the patient is helped to deal with the withdrawal symptoms.

The next three weeks involve psychotherapy, comprising group therapy and counselling.

The centre started a three-month after-care programme in 1989 for brown sugar addicts and relapsing alcoholics.

In 2000, Tejas, a vocational wing for computer training and tailoring was built. In-patients are also encouraged to work at the centre's packaging unit.

Recognising the need for continued guidance, the centre has a follow-up programme for five years.

Family members, friends and even those who have recovered and stayed sober for five years are appointed as `support persons' and trained in relapse management.

Picture by Bijoy Ghosh

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