This article reflects insights shared during Mental Health First Aid India's webinar on substance use disorders,10th June 2025. Names have been changed to protect privacy while preserving authentic experiences.

Understanding substance use disorder through lived experiences and expert insights

When Mental Health First Aid India hosted their recent webinar, "Beyond Addiction: Understanding Substance Use Disorder as a Mental Health Condition," the session revealed truths that many communities prefer to keep hidden. India currently has over 16 crore alcohol users, 3.1 crore cannabis users, and 2.26 crore opioid users. Most alarming is the finding that 51 lakh children and adolescents use inhalants—surpassing adult usage.

As moderator Erinda emphasized, "Substance use disorders are misunderstood... Most communities see it as a choice, not as an illness. She highlighted cultural barriers: "The stigma attached to substance use prevents families from seeking help early. People are more concerned about social judgment than getting the right treatment."

John's Journey: From Normalcy to Dependency

John (name changed for privacy) shared his 15-year battle with alcohol dependency, beginning with college drinking. "It was a macho thing," he reflected. "In college, everyone drank. It was part of fitting in, part of being accepted. Nobody talked about limits or consequences."

The progression was gradual but relentless. "If something went wrong, I drank. If something went well, I drank. Alcohol became my crutch for everything," John shared. "I didn't realize it at the time, but I was medicating every emotion, every stress, every celebration with alcohol."

Despite professional success, John lived in constant turmoil. "Every day was a game of planning—work, family, and how to fit in drinking without getting caught," he explained. "I became an expert at hiding bottles, masking the smell, making excuses. The energy I spent on deception was exhausting."

He described the isolation: "You're surrounded by people but completely alone. You can't be honest with anyone because you're ashamed, and you can't be honest with yourself because you're in denial."

His turning point came with a stark realization: "I remember sitting in my car one evening, knowing I had to choose between the bottle and my family. That's when I understood it was either get help or lose everything." The breakthrough moment arrived when someone told him, "Only you can help yourself," which he found empowering rather than judgmental.

Eva's Perspective: The Unspoken Struggle of Families

Eva, John's wife, revealed the complex trauma experienced by family members during eight years of living with addiction. "He was emotionally unavailable. Some nights, he wouldn't come home. We didn't know how to help," she shared. "I lived in constant fear—fear of what I might find when I came home, fear of the phone ringing with bad news."

The isolation was compounded by societal judgment. "People would tell me things like, 'If you were a better wife, he wouldn't drink,' or 'Maybe if you had a baby, he'd have a reason to stop,'" Eva recalled. "The blame was devastating. I was already drowning, and people were telling me it was my fault."

She described managing everything alone: "I was functioning as a single parent while married to someone who was physically present but emotionally absent. I developed my own mental health issues—anxiety, depression, hyper vigilance."

The breakthrough came at TTK Hospital in Chennai. "It was the first place where my trauma was acknowledged. They helped me heal—not just as a supporter, but as a person," Eva emphasized. "For the first time, someone said, 'Your pain matters too.'"

Evidence-Based Recovery: A Comprehensive Approach

John's recovery at TTK Hospital demonstrated structured, professional treatment's importance. "The moment I submitted to the process, everything changed. Not a single dose of medication was missed. I knew one slip could take me back to a grim place," John reflected. "I had tried willpower before—it doesn't work. This was medical treatment with professional support."

Soumya Shankar Raman, COO of TTK Hospital, outlined their comprehensive approach: "Addiction is not just about the substance—it's about the person, their relationships, their environment, and their future. We treat all of these components."

Their methodology includes licensed medical detoxification ("Detoxification without medical supervision can be dangerous, fatal"), psychiatric and physical comorbidity management ("Most people with addiction have underlying mental health conditions"), family therapy ("Addiction is a family disease. We don't just treat the individual—we treat the ecosystem"), structured aftercare planning, and a five-year follow-up model.

Soumya addressed treatment duration misconceptions: "Society expects addiction treatment to be quick—30 days and you're cured. That's not realistic. We're rewiring years of brain changes. It takes time, patience, and ongoing commitment."

The Power of Language in Recovery

John identified how language impacts recovery. Harmful phrases like "You're smart—you know what you're doing is wrong" created defensiveness, while empowering language like "Only you can help yourself" provided hope.

"When people told me I was smart enough to know better, it made me defensive. It was assumed I was choosing to hurt my family," John explained. "But when someone said, 'Only you can help yourself,' it gave me power. It was hopeful instead of judgmental."

Eva added: "The most helpful thing people could say was, 'How can we support you?' instead of giving advice about what I should do to fix him."

Erinda emphasized language's role in reducing stigma: "Person-first language—'person with substance use disorder'—maintains dignity and humanity."

Workplace Support: A Critical Component

John's workplace support proved crucial. "My company could have fired me. Instead, my manager said, 'We want you healthy and back at work. Take the time you need.' That support was life-changing," he acknowledged.

He highlighted how workplace stigma prevents help-seeking: "Most people are terrified to admit they have a problem because they think they'll lose their job. When employers show understanding, it removes a huge barrier to treatment."

Reframing Addiction as a Health Condition

Soumya explained the neuroscience: "Addiction changes the brain's reward system, decision-making processes, and stress response. These are measurable, physical changes that require medical intervention to heal."

John found this understanding liberating: "Learning that my brain had been physically changed by alcohol helped me stop blaming myself for not being able just to stop. You wouldn't tell a diabetic just to stop having high blood sugar through willpower."

Current Status: Recovery as an Ongoing Journey

Today, John celebrates four years of sobriety. "Recovery isn't a destination—it's a daily choice," he explained. "I still attend support groups, I still see my therapist. These aren't signs of weakness; they're signs of commitment to staying well."

Eva reflected on their rebuilt relationship: "We had to rebuild our marriage from scratch. We're both healthier, more honest, more connected." She emphasized ongoing family recovery: "I still work on trust issues. Recovery affected both of us, so healing has to happen for both of us."

Both stressed community support's importance. Eva found validation in family support groups: "I always thought my pain was the worst. But in connecting with others, I learned I wasn't alone. And that changed everything."

Moving Forward: A Call for Systemic Change

The webinar highlighted critical areas needing attention:

Healthcare System Improvements - Soumya advocated for increased access: "We need more evidence-based treatment facilities and better insurance coverage for addiction treatment."

Family Support Services - Eva emphasized family-focused resources: "Families need their own treatment track. We can't heal if we're only focusing on the person with addiction."

Workplace Policies - John advocated for supportive policies: "When employees know they won't be punished for seeking help, they're more likely to get treatment before things get worse."

Community Education - Erinda stressed public awareness: "We need to educate communities about addiction as a health condition. This reduces stigma and increases help-seeking."

Messages of Hope

Each speaker offered hope for those still struggling. John's message: "Recovery is possible, but you have to want it for yourself. Don't wait until you lose everything—I almost did, and I regret waiting so long."

Eva's message to families: "Your pain is real and valid. You deserve support and healing too. Get help for yourself, whether your loved one gets help or not."

Soumya's professional perspective: "Every person who comes through our doors has the potential for recovery. Hope is always justified, but it must be paired with professional treatment and ongoing support."

Erinda concluded: "Mental Health First Aid India believes that every person deserves the opportunity to live free from the burden of untreated addiction. By sharing these stories, reducing stigma, and promoting evidence-based treatment, we can create communities where recovery thrives."

Resources and Professional Support

For those affected by substance use disorders, professional help is available through organizations like Mental Health First Aid India and treatment facilities such as TTK Hospital. Recovery is possible with proper support, professional treatment, and community understanding.

As John concluded: "Recovery gave me my life back and my real life, not the shadow existence I was living while drinking. If sharing my story helps even one person seek help, then every difficult moment was worth it."

If this story resonated with you or someone you care about, don’t wait. Watch the full video to hear John's journey of recovery and how hope, support, and professional care made all the difference.

Watch now and share because one story can spark a thousand recoveries.