Steep drop in panic calls related to withdrawal symptoms in Kerala
[ad_1]
Counselling centres of the Excise Department and the State helpline will get simply 125 calls as towards 1,798 such calls final yr
The Excise Department’s helplines have largely fallen silent throughout this lockdown, an entire distinction to final yr after they had been ringing off the hook with calls of panic-stricken alcoholics affected by withdrawal symptoms.
The three zonal counselling centres of the division together with the State helpline had obtained 1,798 such calls between March 24 and August 31 final yr, a mean of practically 350 calls a month. That quantity, nevertheless, has dropped to 125 for the reason that second lockdown on March 8 although bars and liquor retailers had been closed 10 days earlier than.
The Excise Department attributes this drastic drop to a number of causes. “Since rumours of an imminent lockdown were rife even before, the liquor outlets actually downed the shutters towards the end of April and the drinkers probably stocked well this time unlike the last lockdown, which was suddenly declared. Or else, supply is still in tact either by way of local illicit brewing or smuggled in from neighbouring States,” stated T.A. Ashokkumar, Deputy Excise Commissioner, Ernakulam.
While not discounting these causes, Vinu Vijayan, a sociologist with the Excise Department, traces up extra potential potentialities. Last time, the addicts turned panicky, as they’d no clue how to deal with withdrawal symptoms that emerged with the sudden disruption to their regular consumption.
“Tips we gave them last time have probably helped them to cope better this time. Besides, the consumption was far from normal even before this lockdown, as visits to bars and liquor outlets carried inherent risks. Thus, those with mild withdrawal symptoms last time may have given up drinking altogether while those in the severe category may have moderated their consumption,” stated Mr. Vijayan.
The helplines of the division had 253 callers final yr who wished to go in for full de-addiction scarred by the expertise of withdrawal symptoms. That quantity could possibly be a lot greater counting those that may need chosen non-public de-addiction centres.
Unlike final yr, main well being centres and neighborhood well being centres are additionally treating withdrawal symptoms now. “Many would be approaching them and that could be another possible reason for the fall in the number of calls to our helpline numbers,” stated Mr. Vijayan.
[ad_2]