Mohammad Younis Dar:
Last Monday, while carrying out my routine duties at the Addiction Treatment Facility (ATF) in Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag, a mother walked in to collect her son’s medication. But she did not simply take the medicine and leave. Instead, she broke down in tears, unable to contain the pain that had been weighing on her for months. Through sobs, she told us how her son—once a bright, promising student—had gone on a four-day picnic with friends and returned… different. In the weeks and months that followed, he withdrew from everyone, his behaviour changed, and the family eventually discovered the heartbreaking truth: he had become addicted to heroin.
Sadly, this is not an isolated case. Every week, we hear similar stories from desperate parents, spouses, and siblings who arrive at our doors feeling helpless, broken, and lost. And every week, at ATF GMC Anantnag, we try our best to help them gather the scattered pieces of their lives.
A Lifeline for Hundreds
The Addiction Treatment Facility at GMC Anantnag has become a beacon of hope for many families in South Kashmir. With nearly 2,000 substance users registered and more than a hundred people visiting daily, the centre is a hive of activity. Operating six days a week, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., our team strives to provide care, counselling, and a second chance to those battling addiction. Some patients walk in carrying hope, others come gripped by fear, but all share the same reason for coming—they need help.
Addiction rarely arrives alone. Many of our patients also battle depression, anxiety, or other mental health conditions. That’s why the facility runs two dedicated psychiatric OPDs side by side in Rooms 115 and 116. In Room 218, counselling sessions—both individual and family—are held by trained professionals who listen without judgment, help patients understand their triggers, and guide them towards emotional healing. Here, treatment is not just about medication; it’s about restoring dignity, mending broken trust, and rebuilding lives.
The Scope of the Problem
An overwhelming 90% of our patients are heroin users, many of whom inject the drug. Sadly, needle-sharing practices mean a large number test positive for Hepatitis C. These cases are immediately referred to the gastroenterology department for further evaluation and treatment. No detail is left to chance.
Each month, we register between 50 and 60 new patients. Many travel from distant villages—brought in by worried fathers or distraught wives who have only just discovered the battle their loved one has been fighting in silence. The steady rise in numbers, while concerning, also shows that awareness is increasing. Government outreach programmes and community efforts have encouraged more families to seek help rather than hide in shame.
Still, the problem’s weight is heavy. In our OPDs, we often meet young men from respectable, conservative families—once well-loved, high-achieving boys—who took a wrong turn somewhere along the way. The common thread in most stories is peer influence. Time and again, we hear: “I started because my friends were doing it.” Peer pressure is real, and the silence that follows is dangerous. Many users hide their addiction for months, even years, before families discover the truth. Mothers blame themselves for trusting too much. Fathers wonder where they went wrong. And the emotional pain that fills our consultation rooms is often as deep as the addiction itself.
A Strong Support System
Through all this, the ATF at GMC Anantnag continues to stand strong. The Principal of GMC and the Head of the Psychiatry Department have been deeply supportive, ensuring that the facility runs smoothly and provides a respectful, stigma-free environment for patients. Our doctors, nurses, counsellors, and staff work tirelessly—often beyond their hours—with remarkable patience and dedication.
Yet, the reality is that more is needed. More manpower, more resources, more awareness, and above all, more compassion. Reports suggest that around 10% of Jammu and Kashmir’s population is involved in some form of substance use—a staggering figure. While heroin dominates, we also see patients struggling with alcohol, cannabis, sleeping pills, and almost universally, tobacco.
Breaking the Chains of Isolation
Perhaps the most devastating consequence of addiction is not only the physical or mental harm—it is the isolation. Many patients share how society treats them like outcasts, unwilling to talk to them, trust them, or give them a chance to rebuild. This stigma often drives them deeper into despair and relapse.
We must remember: addiction is not a moral failing. It is a disease, just like diabetes or hypertension, and it can be treated. People fighting addiction are not criminals—they are our sons, our brothers, our neighbours—human beings who made a mistake and now desperately want to return to a normal life. They need support, not shame. They need understanding, not rejection.
A Call to Compassion
As a society, we must change the way we see addiction. Instead of pushing sufferers further into the shadows, we must bring them into the light. We must work hand-in-hand with treatment centres like ATF GMC Anantnag, supporting them with resources, volunteer work, and advocacy. Every life that recovers is a victory—not just for the individual, but for the entire community.
There is a couplet that comes to mind:
“Nasha pila ke girana to sabko aata hai,
Maza to tab hai ki girte ko thaam le saqi.”
(It’s easy to intoxicate and make someone fall;
The real test is in lifting the one who has fallen.)
Let us all strive to be that helping hand—the one that reaches out when others turn away. Let us spread awareness, show compassion, and stand beside those walking the difficult path from darkness into light. Because every life matters. Every recovery counts. And no one should have to walk that hard road alone.
(Note:Dr. Mohammad Younis Dar is a DNB Psychiatry resident at GMC Anantnag, dedicated to mental health care and addiction recovery.)
