Blitz Bureau
ALCOHOLISM – uncontrolled drinking and preoccupation with alcohol – is a leading bane of urban youth in the country, yet the taboo attached to it ensures that it remains a closely-guarded secret. A chronic disease, alcoholism drains a person physically, mentally and financially; yet it remains brushed under the carpet.
Gauri Dogra Kapoor is one of those few persons who showed exemplary guts and gumption to not just come out of it, but speak boldly against the disastrous consequences of this menace and run an active campaign against it. Gauri’s dependency on alcohol progressed fast; and but for the steadfast support of her parents, she reckons her life would have been beyond redemption. Postrecovery, she has made it her mission to run a campaign against alcoholism on social media and every other available platform with a view to educating the youth and trying to wean hapless victims away.
Recovery counsellor
To acquire necessary skillsets for being a recovery counsellor, Gauri did a course from a reputed institute in the UK. Thereafter, she worked as Counsellor and Head Counsellor for about nine years with two reputed rehab centres – Roarwellness and Sanctum Wellness – in Delhi. Recovering addicts from India and abroad are in constant touch with her.
Besides, she regularly participates in seminars and talk shows on addiction recovery. Recently, she was invited to speak at the 5th international conference on mental wellness and recovery, hosted by UK-based Conference Series, in Singapore. Gauri was also part of a de-addiction programme organised by the Punjab Government, which later published her journey of sobriety. Gauri runs a YouTube channel, ‘Neat Life’, wherein she offers advice on de-addiction, and her website on the subject is also quite popular.
“Having come out of it was something of a miracle,” Gauri reminisced in a recent chat with Blitz India. “It starts with an occasional peg and gradually one gets hooked on to it,” she said. Elaborating on the ills of this disease and with a view to helping its victims recover, Gauri outlines four crucial steps.
Four-step treatment
Acceptance, she says, is the first step. “If a person is ready to accept that he/she has a problem and wants to get out of it, then it’s half the battle won.” Most of the alcoholics, she says, are not ready to accept they have a problem and this is the real stumbling block. Once having admitted the problem, the next stage is opting for the treatment. But there is a rider here – one should surrender fully during the treatment. “It’s very important that the person should completely surrender. There should not be an iota of withholding, no reservation! Only when one does this, a person can hope to be treated,” insists Gauri.
Going to a good rehab centre is the third stage and only this can work in the proper cure of the disease. “For choosing a good rehab, one must do diligent research on the Internet, read reviews of the cured patients, testimonials from their families and check profiles of the faculty and psychologists, explains Gauri.
Relapse warning
Proper follow-up is the final stage. “You have to be constantly in touch with the people who have treated you. It’s not a one- or two-time affair. That’s why it’s also called a community service,” said Gauri. And here comes a surprise! Having won her battle almost a decade ago, and not having touched a drop of alcohol for several years now, Gauri still calls herself a “recovering alcoholic”. That’s because, “one can’t ever claim to be completely out of it. It’s re-lapsable. One has to be alert and on the guard all the time,” warns the courageous warrior.
