Rehab centre honours 550 recovering addicts

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, November 10

The Hermitage, a local rehab and drug addiction centre, honoured 550 recovering drug addicts to mark the 550th birth anniversary celebrations of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev on Sunday.

The event was attended by recovering drug addicts and their family members. A mobile application named ‘De-addiction by hermitage rehab’ was also launched by Dr JP Bhatia, owner of the Hermitage. Users can share their views and journey on the application.

The recovering addicts attended a religious ceremony and shared their experiences on path to recovery. A number of people were part of the gathering. Many of them advised youngsters not get involved in any kind of drug abuse to appear cool or get validation in their friend circle. Gurpartap Singh, counsellor at The Hermitage, who himself had been into drug abuse for years, said: “I was in Class IX, when I started consuming illicit substance. It began with alcohol and ended with multiple drugs. Generally, youngsters believe at they will not get accepted socially without consumption of any form of abuse, be it as simple as alcohol.” “I wanted to come out of my situation. I was under the influence for as long as thirteen years,” added Gurparatap Singh.

Sharing his story, Col Pradeep Jawanda (retd) said: “My wife Baljit Jawanda and Dr Bhatia played an important role in helping me come out of my addiction. I had to fight a battle with alcoholism after I took retirement from the service.” Shweta Sharma, a professional counselor, said, “There are multiple reasons for drug abuse. The problem is present in all sections of society.”

Talking about his centre, JP Bhatia said: “I feel privileged that the concept of ‘man’ as elaborated by Guru Nanak Dev has provided a unique basis for treatment and recovery programme at the Hermitage. Our 550 recovering drug addicts have stepped forward with an agenda to revolutionise our nation and promote drug-free life. Manifesting the teachings of the Guru Sahib, our programme has vividly transformed the lives of our patients.”