Substance addiction often leads to a whole range of physical health consequences. For instance, excessive alcohol consumption may cause liver damage, nerve related symptoms, digestive system related issues, sexual problems so on and so forth. Other substances like cannabis can cause different mental health problems Intravenous substance abuse may cause life threatening diseases such as HIV, hepatitis C etc.

Additionally, substance using population often neglect their physical health care needs and may end up in having a range of nutritional deficiencies. Hence, it is worthwhile to conduct a thorough physical health check up in this group of patients. Nashamitra emphasizes a comprehensive examination and base line investigation at the entry point of the program.

Long-term treatment

A person enters this phase of Nashamitra addiction recovery cycle after successfully accomplishing detoxification phase when they have good enough motivation to sustain the state of sobriety. This is the consolidation phase of treatment.

Certain medications for example acamprosat ,naltrexone and disulfiram can potentially help by reducing craving and enforcing behavioural conditioning.

Psychosocial enrichment is a scientifically proven treatment option. It entails drastic changes in the living environment, remodelling social network and adopting a healthy life style. It is a complex process and essentially helps to eliminate temptation in their daily life and environment.

Some specific psychological strategies such as CBT,motivational interviewing, structured problem solving and mindfulness strategies help.

Maintenance is a phase where society can play an important role. At the time when a person want to get away from addiction and let his friends know about it. What should be the strategy of friend group?

    a. Friends can laugh on the idea of giving up addiction

    b. Friends can offer extra glass of addiction

    c. Friends can support and help the person to get rid of addiction

In an ideal situation friends can create a supportive environment for a person however the bitter reality is that friends often make fun of the idea of giving up addiction.

Helping a person at the time of addiction management is not only the responsibility of health care provider and the individual. The community and friends share the equal responsibility to fight with the wicked problem of addiction.

Nashamitra program offers a holistic approach through extensive community involvement and multi-disciplinary approach.