Born Again !

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Addiction affects every aspect of a person's life. The journey to a healthy, sober life is not a quick and easy one. We must take into account the well-being of the whole person including physical, mental, social, spiritual and environmental factors. While treating patients with dignity and respect, our programme recognizes the humanity of each individual and works to restore balance in every aspect. V.V.M. De-addiction & Research Centre offers a therapy that has an edge over other conventional treatments. Its treatment programme includes a special treatment for the mind - the SUDARSHAN KRIYA® - a powerful breathing technique that establishes the mental strength and control, which is critical for emerging out of addiction and further possible relapses.

Recovering from addiction is a long process, one that requires time, commitment, motivation, and support. Treatment success depends on developing a new way of living and addressing the reasons why the person turned to drugs / alcohol in the first place. While getting sober from drugs / alcohol is an important first step, it's only the beginning of the recovery process. Once sober, the brain needs time to recover and rebuild connections that have changed while addicted.

The objectives of our therapy is to achieve the goals of:

Total abstinence from substance abuse for life.

Effecting positive changes towards enhancing the quality of life by helping to:

Identify and deal with personality defects;

Become aware of risk factors for relapse and develop positive coping skills;

Strengthen inter-personal relationships;

Develop healthy work ethics.

Sustain their recovery through follow-up services.

During the intake process, patients will be guided through diagnostic tests, personal histories, logistical financial arrangements and care co-ordination. One of the first aspects covered when a person begins the intake process at our residential drug treatment program involves giving a personal history of past drug / alcohol use and summarizing its effects on the personal life. While these may be difficult questions to face, they help the treatment team frame their approach to recovery. Additionally, psychological testing, interviews and assessment may also be performed, in order to spotlight cases of dual diagnosis, or uncover potential core causes for drug / alcohol addiction that will be resolved through targeted treatment. The intake team and doctors also need to understand the medical history of the patient in order to properly diagnose any underlying physical issues that may relate to drug / alcohol addiction or its treatment. Honesty is critical during this process, enabling trained medical professionals to understand physical responses and potential complications to the detoxification process.

You can call us for your initial phone interview. When you call, you will be speaking with a highly trained admission coordinator. You can discuss the program structure, fees and any additional questions you may have. Our staff will also be happy to assist you when it comes to making your transportation arrangements.

Additional requirements during intake:

2 passport size photos of the patient;

Photocopy of identity proof;

Endorsement by guardians to the admission formalities (Form for rules and regulations of the centre, admission form, Indemnity bond);

Casual clothes as worn at home, e.g., shirts, t-shirts, full pants, half pants, undergarments, towel, handkerchief, night dress, slippers, chappals.

Please note:

Toiletries such as deodorant, hair dryer, electric razors are not allowed in the centre;

Mobile phones, iPads, laptops and other similar electronic devices are not permitted to be used during treatment;

Please do not bring any sharp objects of any kind, sewing needles, knives, scissors, valuables such as jewelry, etc.

When you check into our center, you should generally take care of the financial details up-front, during the intake process, if you haven't already accomplished this process online or by phone. This expedient settling of financials allows you to focus on the rest of your intake period on recovery rather than logistics.

Since we believe that drug / alcohol de-addiction is a subjective matter (i.e., varies from person to person), we have customised treatment plans for each patient. However, a patient has to stay at our centre for a minimum of 3 to 4 months.

The treatment is a residential multi-disciplinary therapeutic programme and spiritual treatment conducted by a team of a psychiatrist, physician, psychologist, social workers, counselors, nursing staff and spiritual teachers. Our authentic experience of de-addiction treatment since 2003 has strengthened our belief that addicts, when provided timely treatment and support, can lead qualitative lives free of alcohol and drugs. Whatever kind of addiction- alcohol, narcotic drugs and prescription drugs, we have specialized treatment programs, that meets each individual's unique needs, to help overcome addictions. Our treatment programs aims to educate patients with the knowledge to arrest addiction and regain the healthy and happy life. The Centre believes in minimum medication on tapering basis and more on spiritual therapies because it helps the patient to come out of the substance dependency more strongly. The rehabilitation program steps are nearly drug-free; that is, our drug rehabilitation program applies nutrition and nutritional supplements as an important component of its delivery. This leads to faster physical recovery.

Ved Vignan Mahavidyapeeth De-addiction and Research Centre treatment philosophy integrates medical excellence with attention to the realities of recovery by helping people to strengthen five core aspects of the self:

  Physical
  Mental
  Emotional
  Spiritual
  Social

Our integrated team of psychiatrists, internal medicine physicians, nurses and therapists are not only experts in drug and alcohol addiction treatment, they also possess extensive expertise treating other psychiatric, psychological and medical conditions that contribute to dependence on drugs / alcohol. The Centre's rigorous, medically-informed approach to education, treatment and recovery succeeds where other attempts may have failed.

The treatment therapy contains 3 important aspects of the curing process:

1. Detoxification

Detoxification (or detox) is the initial period of medical management aimed at helping a person who abuses alcohol or other drugs. Medications may be used to treat symptoms and prevent complications, such as seizures. Withdrawal symptoms due to sudden stoppage of drug / alcohol usage and health problems associate with addiction are dealt with and when the physical condition of the patient stabilizes, he is transferred to the psychological therapy and spiritual therapy programme. The focus of detox is on the processes of the body as it rids itself of the drug of choice and treating the withdrawal symptoms that result. Ved Vignan Mahavidyapeeth De-addiction and Research Centre uses the most advanced medical techniques to provide the safest and most comfortable detoxification available. Treatment is performed in an inpatient setting where patients can be safely monitored and observed by a specialised medical team during the withdrawal process until all signs and symptoms are resolved. A team of professionals, including nurses, social workers and counselors also help the patients during the medical detoxification period.

It is important to note that detox is not a whole treatment for drug / alcohol addiction. Because addiction is both psychological and physical in nature, it is imperative that patients undergo psychotherapeutic and spiritual treatments to address the issues of cravings and changes that were made in the brain by chronic abuse of the drugs / alcohol. Detox alone may help the patient to stop abusing drugs and alcohol, but without follow-up care and therapy, relapse will soon follow and a return to full-blown addictive behavior is rarely far behind.

2. Psychological Therapy

Addiction is a complex illness with physical and psychological symptoms, affecting not only the individual, but also those around them. Addiction is more than a physical dependence on drugs / alcohol. Even after detox, when physical dependence is cured, addicts are at high risk of relapse. Psychological and social factors are often powerful stimuli for relapse. Psychotherapy is a beneficial form of treatment, as it can help sufferers to recognize their addiction and also to understand it, building self-esteem and self-respect. A counselor or therapist can help an addict to start to understand their emotions and address underlying problems attached to their addiction.

Our counselors / psychotherapists have experience in helping those with addictions to identify the causes and triggers and to help them understand the different types of addiction and the psychological effects. We aim to support patients to follow the right path of treatment, including education and health consequences, information on different recovery programmes including the Twelve Steps. The therapy also addresses anger management, grief recovery, self-esteem, coping skills, stress management, interpersonal relationships, gender issues, and relapse prevention. It focuses on the greater challenges faced by those dealing with depression and other psychiatric disorders in addition to chemical dependencies. By applying their understanding and experience, our therapists help those affected by addiction to develop new cognitive and behavioral skills that will help them overcome their addiction.

Psychological therapy comprises of the following techniques:

Individual counseling to deal with personal issues;

Group counseling / activities;

Family counseling;

Cognitive behaviour therapy / Behaviour modification;

Aversion therapy;

Relaxation therapy;

Exposure to AA / NA programme.

3. Spiritual Therapy

The goal of holistic therapies is to restore the body to its naturally healthy state. When it comes to quitting, the natural way may be best. They've been minimized and they've been marginalized, but the fact is holistic therapies like yoga, nutrition therapy, and dozens more — have been gaining greater mainstream acceptance to correct an 'imbalance'.

YOGA — Yoga comes from ancient Indian philosophy and literally means 'union' or to have a 'one-ness' between your soul and the universe. Yoga is increasingly used to aid addiction recovery. It addresses the spiritual bankruptcy / spiritual void ness and helps in better co-ordination of body parts and organs. A gentle physical yoga practice will bring steadiness to the mind and help to detoxify the body. Many of the poses have a positive effect on the areas of the body that are most often affected by substance abuse. According to 'Yoga Journal', 12-step recovery programmes are beginning to take note of yoga's mind-body-spirit connection. Yoga is helpful for addicts to achieve clarity of mind towards a path of recovery and supplies an addict with a natural alternative — helping to break the established pattern of addiction.

Our residential Art of Living Teacher conducts yoga sessions in the centre on a daily basis where patients are given proper training on the practice of yoga, which they can continue for their entire life. Our yoga courses introduce patients to the basic knowledge needed to begin this powerful healing.

MEDITATION — When the mind becomes free from agitation, is calm and serene and at peace, meditation happens. Our meditation practices are techniques that encourage and develop concentration, clarity, emotional positivity, and a calm seeing of the true nature of things. As drug / alcohol de-addiction treatments are becoming more holistic in nature, the inclusion of programming like meditation into addiction treatment gives each and every recovering addict another tool towards recovery and sobriety. Most recovering addicts enjoy the process and benefits of meditation and a majority report it helpful in their battle to abstain from further abuse. The goal of practicing meditations, daily, is to help our patients overcome their self-destructive thinking and learn to live a more peaceful, happy and fulfilled life. In fact, studies have shown that individuals who participated in meditative practices during recovery gained higher levels of coping skills, as well as a heightened awareness of substance abuse triggers that aided addiction recovery.

PRANAYAM — 'Prana' refers to the universal life force and 'ayama' means to regulate or lengthen. One of the Five Principles of Yoga is Pranayama or Breathing Exercise. The union of Pranayam and Yoga asanas is considered as the highest form of purification and self-discipline, covering both mind and body. Pranayam revitalizes the body's systems and boosts the immune system, giving a strong foundation in health and an increased ability to face the challenges and stresses of daily life without resorting/relapsing into old addictive behaviors. Most importantly, spiritual methods practiced in our centre rely on lifestyle changes rather than on simply taking a pill to eradicate symptoms.

SATSANG — 'Sat' means 'truth'. 'Sang' means 'communion'. Our communion with the truth, our attunement to the truth. Regularly listening to satsang, the mind will neither go astray nor engage in futile thoughts, hence exposed to higher levels of spiritual positivity. It is conducted daily in the centre by our resident Art of Living teacher. Activities include reading, singing Bhajans, meditating, video sessions and sharing together. Satsang helps remove Addiction and Addictive Behaviors with Spiritual Awareness and Understanding.

KNOWLEDGE SESSIONS — It is about opening up the patient's awareness to their own resources. These sessions which are conducted by trained Art of Living volunteers help patients discover strategies to assist themselves in overcoming addiction and associated disorders thus creating positive changes. Our interactive gatherings focus on resolving emotional and behavioral problems and disturbances, and enabling the patients to lead a happier and more fulfilling life.

SUDARSHAN KRIYA® — Sudarshan Kriya® is a powerful yet simple rhythmic breathing technique that incorporates specific natural rhythms of the breadth, harmonizing the body, mind and emotions. Sudarshan Kriya®, developed by His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, facilitates physical, mental, emotional and social well-being and is an integral part of Art of Living programs. It has benefited millions of people on this planet making their lives a celebration! The technique has proved to be one of the best solutions for helping people recover from the deadly addiction of drugs / alcohol. There is mounting evidence to suggest that Sudarshan Kriya® can be a beneficial in the treatment of addiction. Our centre practices this technique everyday under the guidance of the residential Art of Living teacher and is a breathing method which can be continued for life. It has helped patients to overcome substance abuse and emerge as productive persons of society.

Dr Vinod Kochupillai of ALL INDIA INSTITUTE OF MEDICAL SCIENCES (AIIMS), New Delhi, has carried out extensive research upon the effects of the Sudarshan Kriya®, which offer conclusive evidence about the benefits of this technique. The studies suggest strong connections between the body and mind, and imply that human emotions and thought processes affect the functioning of the brain, endocrine system and immune system. So well-founded are these concepts that they have recently led to the emergence of a new medical discipline termed as 'Psycho-neuro immunology' or 'Mind-Body Medicine'. Sudarshan Kriya® was also tested for anti-depressant effect in 60 inpatients of alcohol dependence. Data collected from the results demonstrated the antidepressant effects of Sudarshan Kriya® in alcohol-dependent subjects, producing beneficial effects.

AGNIHOTRI HOMA — Agnihotra is a healing fire from the ancient science of Ayurveda. It is a process of purifying the atmosphere through a specially prepared fire performed at sunrise and sunset daily. It is a great aid to drug and alcohol de-addiction. Thousands of people all over the world have experienced that Agnihotra reduces stress, leads to greater clarity of thought, improves overall health, gives one increased energy, and makes the mind more full of love. The Homa creates a magnetic-type field which neutralises negative energies and reinforces positive energies. It is performed daily in our centre under the supervision of our Art of Living teacher. Maha Mritunjay Mantra and other powerful mantras and rhythms are also chanted before and after the homa to magnify the positive effects. It has been observed that negative thinking, alcohol / drug dependency or deleterious bad habits simply dissolve away. Patients undergo this regular spiritual practice and become motivated, communicative, friendly, joyful, helpful, and after all, very grateful that they had cut the chains of addiction.

OTHERS — The centre also conducts the Part 1 course once every month for the benefit of the patients. Patients who are stable in their recovery are also sent for various other Art of Living courses like Part 2 course, DSN course, etc. which help them to build a strong foundation for their recovery. Positive results have yielded from such practices. Those who are involved in drugs / alcohol should be brought to this path of Knowledge, Yoga, Meditation, Pranayama and Sudarshan Kriya®.

Ved Vignan Mahavidyapeeth De-addiction and Research Centre's spiritual models of recovery have been more successful than any twelve step programme and cognitive behavioral therapy. Although many confuse the term spirituality with religion the two terms are different. The term religion refers to organised structures that center around particular beliefs, behavioral rituals, ceremonies, and traditions. The term spirituality has more to do with the deeper questions posed by an individual's existence, in which we explore who were are and what our life is about. We understand that origins of addiction lie in attachments and desires. Understanding this, we can see that most modern day drug rehabilitation models are only treating the symptoms of addiction. Working with the root causes of addiction through spirituality is the best way to treat addiction once and for all. Research had proven repeatedly that including spirituality in an addiction recovery program increases the individual's chances at sustained recovery. Medical research is showing that even in medical illnesses where the treatment of the illness involves some form of behavior modification, spirituality aids recovery.