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Many people fail to get the help they need due to misinformation. Over the past few years, social media has been an immensely popular way to share misinformation and disinformation about mental health. According to the Asian Journal of Psychiatry, on social media, "health rumors which are unverified information regarding the practice of medicine and health care, often endanger" people. Recovery treatment can provide essential support to individuals struggling with mental health or substance misuse.
Educating the general public can help decrease the spread of misinformation about mental health, treatment, and recovery. Samarpan provides progressive, evidence-based recovery treatment programs and support services for individuals struggling with substance misuse and mental health disorders.
Discrimination has existed within the healthcare field for decades. According to the Indian Journal of Psychiatry, "[P]eople with a mental disorder have often experienced high levels of abuse or neglect of human rights, including the rights to liberty and treatment." Clients struggling with mental health disorders may have had negative past experiences where their autonomy and needs were not prioritized during treatment. In many cases, misinformation is caused by the actions of unethical or conservative practices and social stigma.
Treatment programs do not erase trauma or cause symptoms to disappear immediately. Recovery is multifaceted, and every case is unique, which means no two treatment plans or recovery journeys look the same. Some of the most common myths involve long-term recovery.
Samarpan's Director of Residential Services, Martin Peters, has stated, “There are many misconceptions about what rehab is like, particularly in India where clients are often admitted into residential programs against their will, and detained for long periods, with little evidence-based therapy approaches. A number of clients have often had traumatic experiences from previous treatment episodes, so they are reluctant to engage in further treatment, irrespective of the need. We do not admit clients against their will, but we will work with the family and the clients to demystify some of the common beliefs that they may hold, to encourage them to seek treatment.”
Myths perpetuate misinformation and disinformation, making it more difficult for vulnerable individuals to get help. Below are six common myths about recovery and ways in which Samarpan works to eradicate them.
Some people believe that recovery can be done to clients instead of being something they willingly engage in. Samarpan ensures that clients have a say in whether they attend treatment and how their care is conducted.
The idea that substance misuse and mental health issues indicate low intelligence or bad moral character has been around for decades. However, a disorder does not mean someone is unintelligent or a "bad" person. Medical conditions can have environmental, behavioural, or medical causes and can happen to anyone. Samarpan works to educate communities and families about the realities of mental health.
Sometimes, mental health disorders are dismissed or minimized as not "real" medical conditions. Instead of an illness, they are seen as indications that someone has chosen to engage in certain behaviours. However, in most cases, behaviours are caused by compulsions, intrusive thoughts, or an inability to function properly due to the effect of substance misuse, trauma, or other underlying issues that affect the brain. People with substance misuse or mental health disorders deserve high-quality medical health care and the support of a compassionate and ethical care team.
Religious or spiritual families may blame a higher power for causing mental health disorders. The belief that substance misuse or mental health issues are a supernatural punishment for sinful behaviour has been around for thousands of years. However, the real culprits include genetics, environmental factors, trauma, and day-to-day stressors that can affect anyone at any time. Samarpan educates families about the possible risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems.
Families and clients often believe that treatment within a specific time frame of several weeks or months will result in permanent recovery from substance misuse and mental health disorders. However, treatment is not a magical cure for these disorders. Healing takes time, patience, motivation, and dedication to change. Clients will continue to struggle if they don't address the underlying issues that caused the problem. Samarpan uses evidence-based treatments to help clients develop essential skills to support long-term recovery.
Most individuals diagnosed with mental health disorders in India receive treatment from psychiatrists. In most cases, the primary form of care includes prescription medication. However, integrative treatment options that address the whole person and all the factors contributing to their condition provide the best outcomes.
Obi Unaka, Samarpan's Deputy Director of Residential Services, has said, "Addiction treatment does not have to be coercive, punitive or top heavy with the psychiatric input. There appears to be a misconception that the agent of change is a psychiatric or pharmacological intervention. That is not the case – there are a number of therapeutic interventions which, alongside the medical input offer clients the best possibility of addressing the myriad of issues."
Communities and families should educate themselves about mental health issues and substance misuse. Perpetuating misinformation and holding onto stigmas will only hurt vulnerable individuals and negatively affect the entire community. In addition, the family members of clients may have their own mental health issues that need to be treated. Samarpan combats stigmas and misinformation by incorporating families into the recovery process and ensuring they get the resources they need to provide effective support for their loved ones.
A lot of misinformation exists that can endanger people in need of treatment. Many Individuals and families feel unsure about reaching out for help because they fear judgment or do not understand how therapy and other treatments can improve their lives. Professional treatment for addiction and mental health disorders helps people cope with daily stressors and overcome challenges related to long-term recovery. Samarpan educates communities and families about the realities of addiction and mental health disorders. We give people options and use progressive, evidence-based treatments to help them heal from the damage caused by these medical disorders. We can help you or your loved one recover from substance misuse. To learn more, call our office today at +91 81809 19090.
+91 81809 19090admissions@samarpan.in