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The number of women afflicted by
alcoholism and substance abuse is rising alarmingly, especially in metropolitan
cities like Mumbai, say doctors. Stigma and non-acceptance from family and
society is not letting them get help, due to which female de-addiction wards
run empty and were eventually shut down. Dr Shubhangi Parker, assistant dean
(academics) at KEM Hospital, said, here on January 27, 2013, at the seminar and press conference in KEM Hospital Auditorium, Mumbai.
“An alcoholic male will be respected
by his family and the woman in his life will motivate him to undergo treatment.
However, this is not the case with an alcoholic woman. She is not extended the
required support with same intensity and commitment.” She further added that
the stigma attached with being alcoholic, and rejection from family and society
are major roadblocks in the treatment of female addicts. “We were the first to start
a seven-bedded female de-addiction ward in 1991. But with no women coming
forward, we had to shut it down,” she lamented.
Fr. Joseph H. Pereira "Class A Trustee"of Alcoholic Anonymous In India and Founder
Managing Trustee, Kripa Foundation, highlighted how the scourge of alcoholism
has primarily affected women in North Eastern India, spurring Kripa to be the first in opening rehab centers
aimed at their uplift. Fr. Joe spoke about the Kripa Model of Recovery, which
is acclaimed worldwide as having the highest success rates in de-addiction and
rehab of substance abuse. Fr. Joe said Yoga and meditation form key components
of the Kripa Model and explained how meditation assists in stabilizing the
brain functions, thus bringing an enhanced mental stability among addicts, and
how important it was to practice the 11step of AA. Thus giving a recovery the dimension
of Psycho Social, Psycho Spiritual and the most important Psycho Somatic, that’s
learning to love the body back to life. Fr. Joe mentioned that women were more
vulnerable to men becoming alcoholics and hence he called them the “ Silent
Majority” as in India it was still a taboo to have a lady alcoholic. However he
added that today the youth are more forth coming. They are openly coming to his
centres all over the country to seek treatment, and therefore it was very
important to have awareness programs for the general population and not just
single out the women.
While the numbers of
women alcoholics have risen, the only female de-addiction centers are very few
and many cities have no such centres. Those who seek treatment prefer to be
admitted to places on the outskirts of their dwelling place, Fr. Joe further added that urbanization, changing social norms, and
social economic structures have lead to more women taking up to alcohol.
Bollywood
actor-producer Aamir Khan, who brought several social issues to the fore
through his show "Satyamev Jayate", has now lent support to the fight
against alcoholism amongst women. He says women should be forthcoming about
admitting their addiction.
Aamir further stated that the problem is more
complex in India as women never come admit they have a drinking problem. "In
India, the problem is more complex. There are so many modernistic issues
involved with drinking that women would be afraid to admit openly that they are
drinking. It is a very difficult thing for them," the 47-year-old cine
star, said
Submitted by
"The fact that you (female reporters) have come
here, will give them a lot of strength, lot of courage and with the media
reporting about it, the message that it is a disease will come across."
said Aamir. “Even if you are a woman and if you are suffering, you need to step
out and there is help available to you," he added.
AA member SK Bhalla, coordinating the programs, said,
“According to statistics, we have 30,000 known women addicts, and one-third of
alcohol addicts in India are women.”
It is to break such taboos related to women alcoholics
that 82 AA women members from USA, Russia, Virgin Islands, New Zealand and
Australia through AA Australia in collaboration with AA of India, had been
touring the country and urging women alcoholics to speak up and address the
problem of Alcoholism. This tour of the Mumbai leg was actively supported by
Kripa Foundation, India’s largest and pioneering NGO in the field of
de-addiction and rehabilitation of Chemical dependency and HIV care
Ashwin Honawar
Sheldon Patrao
Collages
Newsdesk
Recent Press Coverage on
Visit of the Australian Women
AA Members’ Delegation to India
Reformed women alcoholics from Australia on taboo-breaking trip in India
( The Times of Ind) Jan 13, 2013,
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Australian delegates reach out to women alcoholics in India
(The Hindu) KOKATA, January20, 2013
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/australian-delegates-reach-out-to-women-alcoholics/article4324269.ece
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Women of Oz AA share struggles
(The Hindu( CHENNAI, January 23, 2013
http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/women-of-oz-aa-share-struggles/article4333363.ece
(The Hindu( CHENNAI, January 23, 2013
http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/women-of-oz-aa-share-struggles/article4333363.ece
__________________________________________________
Female alcoholics, the invisible addicts, shy away from help
Female alcoholics, the invisible addicts, shy away from help
(DNA) January 24, 2013
Come out, fight addiction, Australia AA team urges women
( The Indian Express) Friday Jan 25, 2013
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/come-out-fight-addiction-australia-aa-team-urges-women/1064687/
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/come-out-fight-addiction-australia-aa-team-urges-women/1064687/
_________________________________________________________
KEM may restart women alcoholic' de-addiction ward
( The Times of India) Jan 28, 2013
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/KEM-may-restart-women-alcoholics-de-addiction-ward/articleshow/18214594.cms
( The Times of India) Jan 28, 2013
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/KEM-may-restart-women-alcoholics-de-addiction-ward/articleshow/18214594.cms
Rise in number of women drinking, get no help
(DNA) January 28, 2013
http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_rise-in-number-of-women-drinking-get-no-help_1793282
We need to speak up: Aussie Alcoholis Anonymous member
(DNA) January 28, 2013
http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_we-need-to-speak-up-aussie-alcoholics-anonymous-member_1793285
Aamir supports fight against alcoholism among women
(News Track India) Cinema/ showbiz, January 28, 2013
http://www.newstrackindia.com/newsdetails/2013/01/28/103--Aamir-supports-fight-against-alcoholism-among-women-.html
(News Track India) Cinema/ showbiz, January 28, 2013
http://www.newstrackindia.com/newsdetails/2013/01/28/103--Aamir-supports-fight-against-alcoholism-among-women-.html
News desk
