Narcotics Anonymous peer-support program extended to 13 districts of Punjab under ‘Yudh Nashean Viruddh’

Chandigarh: To further strengthen the post-treatment rehabilitation component of the Punjab Government’s anti-drug campaign, Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meetings are being organized in 13 districts of Punjab under the ‘War Against Drugs’ campaign led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann.

In collaboration with Leadership in Mental Health Program (LMHP) Fellows, Narcotics Anonymous has been conducting regular awareness and recovery sessions in government de-addiction and rehabilitation centers through its Hospitals and Institutions (H&I) sessions. This initiative is currently running in 13 districts including Sri Muktsar Sahib, Ludhiana, Rupnagar, Mansa.

Under this program, Narcotics Anonymous meetings provide recovering people an environment where they can share their experiences, struggles, and successes without fear of criticism. This strengthens the belief that only a person who has gone through recovery himself can best help another person.

Narcotics Anonymous is a global fellowship that provides drug recovery support through 12-step programs and peer-led meetings. Established in 1953, this organization is working in many countries and its basic principle is that recovery is more effective through shared experience and mutual cooperation.

People shared their experiences    

A recovering person at Sri Muktsar Sahib said that these sessions are playing an important role in keeping him drug-free. He said on condition of anonymity, “You can stay drug-free for a week or a month, but NA helps in maintaining a drug-free life in the long run because the experiences of the peer group are like your own story. If they can quit, why can’t you? After quitting, I also brought along a friend whom I had met in the rehabilitation center. He also found the support very useful.”

Jagpal Singh (name changed), a patient undergoing treatment at the Ludhiana De-Addiction Centre, said, “Hearing the experiences of other fellow addicts had a deep impact on me. It created a positive reaction in me. When I shared my story, I got suggestions and inspiration. I suggest that along with treatment, NA meetings can greatly help drug addicts in their recovery.”

Health experts say that such peer support is very helpful in dealing with ‘loneliness’, the biggest problem faced during de-addiction. A health official associated with the program said, “Many patients feel lonely after leaving the de-addiction center and relapse into addiction. NA provides them a support network and reassures them that they are not alone in this fight.”

Recently the number of participants in these meetings has been steadily increasing and regular sessions are being held within government facilities in 13 districts. An H&I (Hospitals and Institutions) coordinator attached to Mansa said the institution organizes meetings in collaboration with the district administration. An H&I (Hospitals and Institutions) coordinator attached to Muktsar said the organization organizes meetings in collaboration with the district administration.

He said, “When I first came to an NA meeting, I realized that it was difficult to fight this disease alone. This group became my support system and gave me the confidence that one can quit addiction. The only qualification for membership is the desire to quit. Members’ identities are kept confidential, so they can talk openly about their struggle and recovery.

Parminder Singh, Psychiatric Social Worker at Muktsar Drug De-Addiction Centre, said, “Narcotics Anonymous is the best platform for a drug-addicted person as the peer group members understand well the experiences related to the drug problem and they prove to be most helpful in taking the person towards a drug-free life as they themselves have gone through the same difficulties. In fact, even in the counseling sessions, a patient who is not able to talk openly, Opens up easily with NA members.”

Amanpreet Kaur, counselor at Ludhiana De-addiction Centre, said, “Peer groups share the positive changes in their lives after quitting drug addiction and this inspires others to follow the same path. It is important to attend the meetings in the beginning. If a person is regular in these meetings, he is closer to de-addiction. Missing meetings can often be an early warning sign of relapse.” Is.”

Officials said many former drug users, who have been away from drugs for a long time, are now volunteering to act as mentors and helping the district administration gather participants for the meetings. Experts expressed confidence that expansion of NA network, especially in rural areas, is essential to sustain the achievements made under the anti-drug campaign.

Punjab is intensifying its fight against drugs, and the growing network of Narcotics Anonymous groups is strengthening the state’s efforts to ensure that de-addiction is not just limited to treatment, but rather people can reintegrate into society and live drug-free lives in the long run.