Family support key to fighting drug addiction: Experts

Srinagar, May 9: Emotional support from families can play a decisive role in helping people overcome addiction, experts said, stressing that recovery is not possible through medicines and counselling alone.
As concerns continue to grow over the rising number of drug addiction cases in Jammu & Kashmir, mental health professionals and doctors working in de-addiction centres have underlined the importance of compassion, understanding and active family participation in the rehabilitation process.
Samreena Jan, a counsellor at an Addiction Treatment Facility (ATF) in South Kashmir, said individuals battling substance abuse often need emotional reassurance more than anything else during their recovery journey.
She said patients who receive consistent encouragement, care and acceptance from their family members tend to show stronger commitment towards sobriety and are less likely to relapse.
“Family support creates emotional stability for recovering addicts. When a person feels accepted rather than judged, it becomes easier for them to regain confidence and continue treatment sincerely,” she said.
Jan added that while professional counselling, medication and rehabilitation programmes are essential, long-term recovery largely depends on the environment a patient returns to after treatment.
According to her, many recovering addicts struggle to reintegrate into society because they continue to face criticism, taunts and mistrust from their own relatives and community members.
She warned that such behaviour often becomes one of the major causes of relapse. “In many cases, relapse is not due to treatment failure but because recovering addicts are constantly reminded of their past mistakes and made to feel unwanted. A judgmental attitude only pushes them deeper into isolation and addiction again,” she said.
The counsellor urged families and society to adopt a compassionate and supportive approach towards those trying to rebuild their lives after addiction.
Dr Aadil, a medical officer at ATF Shopian, said opioid addiction, especially heroin abuse, continues to dominate the cases reported at treatment facilities in Kashmir.
“Nearly 90 to 95 per cent of patients visiting our centre are heroin users,” he said, adding that out of around 650 registered patients at the ATF in District Hospital Shopian, almost all are male.
Dr Aadil said the role of parents and guardians extends far beyond simply bringing patients to hospitals or rehabilitation centres. He advised parents to remain actively involved in their children’s daily lives by observing behavioural changes, monitoring social circles and paying attention to unusual activities or possessions.
“If parents notice sudden behavioural changes, withdrawal from family interactions or suspicious habits, they should immediately seek professional help instead of ignoring the signs,” he said.
The doctor further said that treatment facilities are providing free medical care, counselling and rehabilitation support to addicts, while family counselling sessions are also being organised to educate relatives about handling addiction with patience and empathy.
“These sessions help families understand that addiction is a medical and psychological condition, not merely a moral failing. Supportive behaviour from loved ones significantly improves recovery outcomes,” he added.
Experts believe that involving families in the recovery process not only strengthens the patient emotionally but also helps relatives cope with the social and psychological challenges associated with addiction.
They said collective efforts by families, healthcare professionals, educational institutions and society are essential to tackle the menace. (KNO)