Doctor Against Addiction launches campaign to encourage early intervention

In light of the rampant rise of addictions that cause fissures in family and personal lives along with a steep increase in accidents and crime rate, Doctor Against Addiction (DaAD) has launched ‘A prescription for De-addiction’ campaign. The efforts aims to empower doctors to play an active role in reducing various forms of addictions by intervening as early as possible at the consultation level.

At the heart of the campaign lies the 'HRx' symbol, which represents a prescription for harm reduction as well as a commitment by doctors to address the damage caused by addiction and damaging behaviours. It allows doctors to specify the form of addiction or harmful conduct they aim to address.

The genesis of DaAD came against the background of an increasingly complex world, where individuals often find solace in various forms of behaviour and substances, from gadget addiction and alcohol to drugs and tobacco. While these may offer temporary relief or pleasure, they can also lead to significant harm to both the individual and society at large.

DaAD believes that healthcare professionals can make a profound difference in deaddiction and promote healthier lifestyles as they are closely knit to their patients. “Doctors routinely check height, weight, BP and sugar levels. Now they are being trained to identify classical symptoms of addictions of various forms,” says Dr Manish Sharma, chief coordinator at DaAD.

Doctors are now being trained to patiently listen and ask open-ended questions in an effort to identify the type of addiction and reduce the stigma surrounding it through compassionate and tailor-made dialogue. ‘A prescription for de-addiction’ is a call for action, envisioning a healthcare landscape where doctors can be champions of change, equipped with the knowledge, compassion, and tools needed to address harmful behaviours.

Deliberating on potential of DaAD and doctor-patient relationship, (Dr) Chhavi Gupta, DM for infectious disease and senior consultant at Ghaziabad’s Yashoda Super-specialty Hospital said, “The foundation of any fruitful doctor-patient relationship is trust, which is achieved when patients feel comfortable sharing their concerns—even when those concerns revolve around potentially harmful behaviours. By creating an atmosphere of trust and non-judgment, healthcare professionals can empower patients to open up and seek help. During these conversations, they can effectively counsel patients on deaddiction.”

Beyond physical harm, excessive behaviours can wreak havoc on mental well-being leading to anxiety, depression, and a diminished sense of self-worth. Alcohol and drug abuse can lead to altered mood states, cognitive impairment, and exacerbation of pre-existing mental health conditions.

However, by approaching the conversation without judgment, healthcare professionals can make patients feel respected and understood. “Consistent monitoring reinforces the doctor-patient partnership. DaAD is a step forward in this direction, to help patients achieve their deaddiction goals,” added (Dr) Narender Saini, former general secretary of the Indian Medical Association (IMA).

Extreme behaviours, including that of excessive screen time, significantly impact physical health like digital eye strain, disrupted sleep, and posture issues. Alcohol and drug abuse lead to liver damage, cardiovascular problems, addiction-related illnesses, and overdose. These immediate and tangible effects highlight the need for moderation.