by Anzar Ul Aijaz
As students, researchers, or interns, we often fail to see them as individuals on a path to recovery. Instead, they become study subjects, sources of data for reports, rather than human beings deserving of a positive and supportive environment.
Drug addiction, or Substance Use Disorder (SUD), is a bio-psycho-social disease, a condition shaped by biological, psychological, and social factors. Its treatment, therefore, demands a multifaceted approach. The physiological aspects of substance abuse are addressed within the confines of a de-addiction facility, where medical practitioners, particularly addiction psychiatrists, administer medications, oversee detoxification, and manage withdrawal symptoms. Yet, this medical intervention, though essential, is not sufficient on its own.
While biological treatment alleviates the immediate physical distress of withdrawal, it does little to prevent relapse. What happens when an individual, once discharged, encounters the same stressors or temptations? How does one resist the familiar places, faces, and routines that once enabled substance use? More importantly, what inspires a person to seek change in the first place? What sustains the determination to remain sober, to persevere through treatment, and to rebuild a life beyond addiction?
The answer lies in psychosocial intervention, which arguably holds greater significance than physiological treatment. It fosters the willingness to change, instils motivation for treatment, and reinforces the commitment to abstinence. Beyond this, it equips individuals with the resilience to manage life’s stressors and the triggers that once led them to substance use. Addressing addiction requires more than physical detoxification; it demands an understanding of the unique psychological, emotional, and social dimensions of each individual’s struggle.
A critical component of psychosocial intervention is the emotional and psychological well-being of a person undergoing treatment. The experience of staying in a de-addiction facility extends beyond the effectiveness of medication or the quality of food. True rehabilitation hinges on recognising and addressing the deeper psychosocial needs of those in recovery, ensuring that healing extends beyond the body to encompass the mind and soul.
Among the fundamental needs of individuals undergoing treatment for substance abuse, the right to be treated with respect and dignity stands above all. It is not merely a moral obligation but an essential right of every patient. Yet, this right is often compromised, particularly in the case of those struggling with substance abuse, a condition already burdened by social stigma. Unlike individuals with other illnesses, they are not always regarded as patients in need of care but are instead labelled as “addicts”—a term laden with judgment and exclusion.
Even within the walls of a de-addiction facility, the same prejudices persist. Those admitted for treatment are frequently subjected to the same stereotyping they face in society. As students, researchers, or interns, we often fail to see them as individuals on a path to recovery. Instead, they become study subjects, sources of data for reports, rather than human beings deserving of a positive and supportive environment. The repeated questioning—probing into their history, the reasons for their substance use, and the consequences they have faced—can become an intrusion rather than a means of understanding. When these inquiries bear no direct relevance to their treatment, they serve only to frustrate, disrupt, and ultimately hinder the healing process.
Such relentless interrogation chips away at their sense of self-worth. It fosters feelings of demotivation and alienation, making them question whether they are truly seen as patients in need of care or merely as case studies to be examined. Their right to privacy, a crucial aspect of their psychosocial well-being, is too often overlooked. They are not in treatment to satisfy academic curiosity but to reclaim their lives. Recognising this, we must extend the same respect to them as we would to any other patient.
While hospital authorities cannot bear sole responsibility—given their obligation to accommodate medical students and interns—the issue calls for a broader policy-level intervention. The same ethical considerations apply to patients of all diseases, yet substance abuse patients remain particularly vulnerable to this insensitivity.
Recovery demands more than medical treatment. Patients need moments of solitude to reflect and heal, as well as recreational activities to counteract the monotony of their stay. These activities serve a greater purpose than mere distraction; they help replace harmful coping mechanisms with healthier alternatives, strengthening both physical and emotional resilience. Without such engagement, boredom can become a significant obstacle, increasing the likelihood of relapse.
A truly effective psychosocial intervention must be tailored to the specific needs of each individual, addressing their struggles with empathy while safeguarding their dignity, privacy, and sense of self-worth. Only through such an approach can the path to recovery be made less isolating and more humane.
(The author is a research scholar in the Department of Social Work at the University of Kashmir. Ideas are personal.)
