MAHEK PATHAN explores the physical, mental, emotional, and social impacts of addiction on individuals and their families. Mahek is a psychologist with the Turning Point Rehab. She holds a Master’s degree in Forensic Psychology and has worked in the UK prison system. After practicing CBT at victim support in the NHS, UK, she moved to working in clinical psychology in Surat, India.
The Personal and Social Impacts of Addictive Behaviors
People suffering from addiction experience many different life complications. When they start abusing drugs and alcohol on a day-to-day basis, they have physical health complications, such as liver cirrhosis, heart problems, lung diseases. I have seen clients coming in who have lost a crazy amount of weight, because of daily consumption of drugs and alcohol.
There are also a lot of mental health issues, like depression, anxiety, substance-induced psychosis, where they experience hallucinations or paranoia. I see people experiencing PTSD, post-traumatic stress disorder, as well. Alcohol and drugs actually have a very great impact on both physical and mental health.
Addiction also leads to spiritual bankruptcy. I have seen clients who have been raised in a decent household, never lied, never cheated, never done anything wrong, then once they become addicted, they lie to their parents, and steal money from their homes. It creates a lot of problems with interpersonal relationships among family members.
I have seen people getting violent, physically aggressive, abusive, and negligent after abusing alcohol and substances. Even when they are not abusive, they have a role to play in the family, and negligence can also have a severe impact. Addiction is a family disease; if it impacts an individual, it impacts the entire family.
When clients complete a rehab program, it’s better if they stay in the recovery phase for some time. But it’s very difficult for their families to believe that they are recovering. When a client goes home, family members often say things like, “Look what you’ve done.” This adds to their problem, especially for those suffering from PTSD. It’s very complex. It affects the entire family dynamic. As Dr. Deshpande says, “Love, care, and empathy really work wonders for the entire family.”
The Role of Rehabilitation
Addiction is a chronic disease. It is something that must always be managed as long as one is alive. As soon as the clients admit they need treatment, there are different forms of therapies available.
Rehabilitation seems to be the best treatment program, because it helps not just to physically abstain, because the substances are not available, but also provides a safe space for the person. Rehab is a place where there is motivation, and where a counselor is always available.
After the detox comes counseling sessions, group therapies, and family counseling sessions. Even after the client has completed the rehabilitation program, support groups and meetings really help. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), EMDR, hypnotherapy, etc., also work wonders. Even after a client has completed a rehabilitation program, regular counseling sessions will help them understand deeper inherent feelings, thoughts, and processes.
People who are addicted usually suppress their feelings. So, we teach our clients to express their feelings in a healthier manner so that they don’t have to depend on substances to deal with them. I think this helps to maintain their recovery for a very long time.
We teach our clients to
express their feelings
in a healthier
manner so that they don’t
have to depend on substances to deal with them.
I think this
helps to maintain their
recovery for a very long time.
I also understand that addiction is actually about personality. It’s not about the substances. A lot of people use drugs for recreational purposes, but only certain people get hooked. An addictive personality has the tendency to get hooked, so they also find substitutes for the substances as well. For example, if they try to leave alcohol they may get hooked on cigarettes. I have seen a lot of clients who have actually changed their addiction to something more positive, for example, social work. They engage and engross themselves in something that is more rewarding and has a positive outcome on their lives.
Illustrations by ANANYA PATEL
Mahek Pathan
