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Emergence of a Day‐Care Centre for Alcoholics in India–its referral system and public response
Author(s) -
CHERIAN R. R.
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
british journal of addiction
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.424
H-Index - 193
eISSN - 1360-0443
pISSN - 0952-0481
DOI - 10.1111/j.1360-0443.1986.tb00302.x
Subject(s) - referral , alcoholics anonymous , medicine , stigma (botany) , psychiatry , family medicine , social work , nursing , political science , law
Summary The stigma of alcoholism has a long history in India. When Mr Ranganathan died an alcoholic at the age of 33, everyone condemned his affluence and parental upbringing. No one seemed to have understood the illness called ‘Alcoholism’. At that time in 1979, there were no specialized institutions in India to treat alcoholics. Mr Ranganathan's family took the initiative in establishing a day‐care centre for alcoholics in 1980 in the belief that alcoholism is a treatable disease. A dedicated team of psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, social workers and a recovered alcoholic work for the centre. The foundation offers a three‐phase programme, namely, detoxification, an intensive out‐patient programme for 21 days, after‐care and Alcoholics Anonymous. 465 cases were registered from 1981 to February 1984. Only five patients were female. The foundation also offers various programmes to educate the public. The good public response and the positive results of treatment justify the emergence of this centre in India.