Addiction Treatment Center helps addicts, fights narcotics
KUWAIT: The highest concerned authorities in Kuwait began to rally their cadres and use capabilities to hit back at narcotics via providing treatment for addicts and preventing such menace from sinking its claws further into society. In 2004, the Health Ministry’s Addiction Treatment Center kick started its operations, offering the best solutions for those struggling with different kinds of drug addiction. From the initial phase of treatment provided by expert medical staff, providing support through withdrawal symptoms and continuous post-treatment care, the center is the best bet for those facing the woes of drugs.
Speaking to KUNA, Dr Adel Al-Zaid-the center’s head-affirmed that the journey into recovery was not an easy one, it takes years or even decades. He noted that the center collaborates with other entities such as the Awqaf (endowment) and Islamic Affairs Ministry and Basha’er Al-Khair (Good Tidings) society to provide the much-needed spiritual treatment for addicts to keep them on the straight path.
Dr Al-Zaid noted social and psychological follow-up was part of the treatment offered by the center, but revealed that not all cases recovery fully, there were some five percent possibility of relapse. On their programs, the head of the center said that there was a six-month program-in cooperation with the Ministry of Islamic Affairs-was the go-to program for most cases because it provided a balance between regular social aspects of the addict’s need and treatment required. He noted that the program was launched in 2010.
The continuous care program was also an option for patients willing to make daily trips to the center to take the necessary treatments and conduct tests, he added. Dr Al-Zaid revealed that the center ran statistics with other state entities to better address the needs of their patients, saying that the flow of those in need of treatment to the center was an indication that society was aware of the evils of narcotics and illicit drugs.
Regarding the psychological needs of patients, head of the psychiatric unit at the center Dr Yaqoub Al-Shatti stressed the importance addressing the psyche of an addict, noting that this was part of the wholesome experience of treatment. Emotional and psychological support is much needed for those struggling with addiction, saying that relapse most of the time was due to weak mental fortitude.
The initial treatment program of “why are you in the center?” is suited for those who might suffer from outside interference that hindered treatment, he revealed. He added that the center focused at the moment on providing treatment to men over 18 years of age, affirming that the 155-center would be opened soon to treatment women and even sometimes children. Dr Hanadi Ashkanani-head of the social affairs unit at the center-said that her department would investigate the social aspects of why an addict began pursuing drugs.
She revealed that the social component of the treatment journey usually began after withdrawal symptoms to provide utmost social care for a patient. Those who lost so much within the social sphere could depend on the center for support and would be socially connected with those going through similar treatment journeys via the “addicts anonymous” group, Dr Ashkanani said. – KUNA
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