Nishigandha, state’s first treatment centre for women
Mid-day: State’s first women only de addiction centre will come up at the 22-year-old Muktangan Rehabilitation Centre at Yerawada from January 1.
The facility, Nishigandha, was inaugurated by noted social worker Prafulla Mohite.
Mukta Puntambekar, daughter famous Marathi writer Dr Anil Avchat feels that women are not susceptible addiction, but adds that social drinking was leading these women to addiction.
“In the last few years we have been receiving inquiries from Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra. We treat them only in our OPD,” Puntambekar said.
The center has a large number of female staff to look after the patients being treated. Here, addicts undergo five-week treatment therapy to get rid of the habit. “We get rare cases of brown sugar,” Puntambekar said.
Muktangan prefers the famous Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) developed by noted psychologist Dr Albert Ellis. REBT has proved to be far more effective even in Indian conditions. “We also mix yoga and meditation with it,” she said.
In 1986, Muktangan was established Dr Anil Avchat and his late wife Dr Anita.
Cases of drugs and alcoholism is increasing alarmingly among all economic classes, especially the IT and BPO sector in the city.
“These girls are away from homes and easily get addicted due to loneliness and work pressure,” she told MiD DAY, Stress and family strains, as well as social and professional life, attract women to these temporary remedies.
“This is a typical urban phenomenon where a woman is burdened with responsibilities,” Puntambekar pointed out.
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