IGMC commemorate intl day against drug abuse & illicit Drug Trafficking

Shimla, June 26  – The Department of Psychiatry of Indira Gandhi Medical College Hospital observed International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drugs on Monday.
The theme of this year (2023) is People First: Stop Stigma and Discrimination, Strengthen Prevention.
Professor and Head of Psychiatry Department, Dr Dinesh Dutt Sharma, Assistant Professor Psychiatry, Dr Nidhi Sharma, and Assistant Professor Psychiatry, Dr Ravi Sharma, spoke about the various aspects of addiction as a brain disorder and the need for timely treatment for at least one to two years that covers various stages of recovery in which different medications are required at every step.
Dr Dinesh Sharma also talked about the stigma and discrimination faced by recovered addicts during reintegration into society and emphasised the importance of developing alternate pleasurable interests during the recovery process.
In this process, the support of family and community plays a vital role so that patients gather the courage to come for regular treatment.
This was followed by the sharing of experiences by patients with opioid addiction who are recovering for a period of 6 months to 1 year with regular treatment and counselling support.
The event was concluded by a vote of thanks and by spreading awareness to remove stigma and discrimination against people suffering from this brain disorder.