Tulasi De Addiction Centre

I am Meena Chowdhary, a resident of Tulasi Home since last 6 years. I am staying here willingly out of my own choice. This is the first place which I can call my home. This place has given me love, respect, and restored my self-esteem after years of battling with the stigma of mental illness. I am a patient of paranoid schizophrenia for more than 35 years. My disease manifested when I was only 19 years old. In those days, the treatment of schizophrenia was not as advanced as it is now.

Though I was put on antipsychotic medication, I did not respond well, there were too many side effects. At one time, I also received ECT.I was admitted many times to mental wing of hospitals. My big family ostracized me; it was only through love and support of my mother I have survived all these grueling years. My brothers and their familes did not talk to me and made it clear to my mother that they would not take over the responsibility if something happened to her.

This forced my mother to look for a safe place for me as she was nearly 80 years of age, where my schizophrenia treatment could go on and I could be taken care of. My psychiatrist suggested us to visit Tulasi Home, which was started by his student. Me and my mother visited the place .It was a small place for 12 patients who stayed there for rehabilitation. I went there for 2 weeks with the intentions of observing the environment and care. I was overwhelmed by the amount of love and respect that I was showered with. I stayed longer and could not leave.

Tulasi Home has restored confidence and life skills in me. I was very dependent, had lots of behavior problems, gradually with treatment and psychotherapy there is an immense change in me. Initially, I was very dependent on my mother ,was emotional whenever she called but now over the years I have formed my own support group of real friends who are not judgmental .My family’s relationships with me are at a all time high because they are not insecure that I might become their responsibility.

I have all the freedom to visit my mother, every 15 days and I even go shopping, eating out with my friends here. I have made lots of paintings and enjoy yoga sessions every day. We are encouraged to participate in community services like teaching poor children, conducting talks on schizophrenia and its treatment. We also put up street plays for community awareness. Not even one day I am made to realize that there is a mental problem or I am incapable.

Tulasi Home has grown as an organization, now we have shifted to bigger premises, number of residents has also gone up, but the treatment of schizophrenia in Delhi, quality and individual attention has not been compromised.

Indian society is a male dominated society, where women were always treated below men. But since last 15 to 20 years there is a change in the society by large. Women are gradually finding a place for themselves in field of education, sports and at place of work.

With growing financial independence more and more women are breaking away from the traditional rules and regulations set by our society. With this wave of feminism there are changes in a women’s attitude towards socializing, consumption of alcohol, relationships…. As with all wave of changes some positive and some negatives too are bound to happen, for instance the rise of alcoholism in the new age women.

The line between healthy and harmful drinking is very thin. More and more women are getting addicted to alcohol. Women are more vulnerable to harmful effects of alcohol. Even small quantity of alcohol used over a period of time can cause more problems and damage to women’s body and brain.

 Moderate drinking for ladies can be labeled as not more than 7 drinks per week or not more than 3 drinks on an occasion. Even the road for women drinking moderately is very slippery. The amount of alcohol required to produce the desired affect depends upon age, body mass, genetic makeup, the drink and the meal time and underlying physical problems.

There are multiple factors which contribute to alcoholism in women

Genetics, family history of alcoholism

Underlying issues of anxiety ,depression

Alcohol can be a way to cope stress

Childhood or abuse in adulthood can be a precursor for alcoholism.

There are multiple biological factors which are responsible for women getting intoxicated faster vis-a-vis men and also for rapid downhill ride in spite of drinking less and abusing over shorter duration of time.

Body fat: Women tend to weigh less than men, woman’s body contains less water and more fatty tissues fat retains alcohol while water dilutes it, alcohol remains at higher concentrations for longer periods of time in a woman’s body, exposing her brain and other organs to more alcohol.

Enzymes: Women have lower levels of two enzymes to breakdown alcohol in the stomach and liver. As a result, women absorb more alcohol into their bloodstreams than men.

 Hormones: Changes in hormone levels during the menstrual cycle may also affect how a woman metabolizes alcohol.

Women with drinking problems get less access to treatment as

There is a reluctance to be called an alcoholic

As they attribute their  drinking to other problems like depression, anxiety, or family trouble

Social stigma        

Recovery for women addict is as much possible as their male counterparts. There are programs designed for women keeping their physical and emotional needs in mind. So if you are a woman alcoholic or you know somebody who needs help, find the best de addiction and rehabilitation centre and check in at the earliest.