Imphal: It was 2004 when Mayoshang Kasar last took drugs after battling addiction for 15 years. Now, with his first-hand experience in understanding drug addiction, Kasar runs the Hope Ministry Rehabilitation Centre located at Nagaching in Imphal East, offering services to those battling drugd abuse and alcoholism.
Despite being clean and sober for 22 years, Kasar says he still struggles with anger addiction whenever he gets mad at family and loved ones. However, rather than returning to his old life, he turns to his recovered friends and shares his problems with them, which helps him overcome these struggles.
“Of course, I have lots of struggles because I already know the pleasure of taking drugs. It is like a hardwire being installed in my brain. So, the urge to take drugs is not going away all the days of my life, but as long as I live one day at a time with God, I will make it, and I can do it,” Kasar told EastMojo when we visited him at his rehab centre.
Kasar, who currently serves as the project director at the rehab centre, shared that he first took drugs in Class 8, starting with Phensedyl, a cough syrup.
Also Read: Manipur’s drugs crisis: How Church bodies are fighting back
“However, these days, youngsters who do drugs directly go for hard drugs or heroin, resulting in a rise in addicts within a short period. Some even lose their lives early when they cannot handle the dose,” he said.
Recovery and Coming Out Clean
Recounting his recovery process from substance abuse after visiting different rehab centres five consecutive times, Kasar revealed that during one of his pleasure times with drugs, he injured his leg while injecting it through his hip, which eventually led to hospitalisation for six months in Delhi.
“I injured my leg while shooting drugs through my hip, so I had to be hospitalised for six months in Delhi. Since I was not in a condition to walk, I was bedridden the entire time, and all I could do was read. During that time, my brother’s friend, who had visited, gave me a Christian book to read. After reading this, I decided to read the Bible, which I finished in two days.
“A couple of days later, I came across a book titled The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis. In that book, it was written: ‘Christ died for you, and what have you done for Him?’ This specific sentence touched me. I prayed, ‘Lord if You help me and deliver me from this drug addiction, I will serve You throughout my life by working with drug addicts.’ And that’s how God saved me, and I gave my life to serve Jesus Christ since I had committed to Him that I would do what He wanted me to do,” Kasar shared.
Despite his strong willpower and grit in overcoming his battle with drug addiction, Kasar relapsed for six months. However, his ‘awakening’ came after he went to Amsterdam for counselling training for three and a half years under Addictive Behavioural Ministry International (ABMI), headquartered in Colorado, US, in 2004. Later, Kasar enrolled as a member of ABMI and the International Substance Abuse Addiction Coalition (ISAAC).
Before setting up his rehab centre on 2 April 2019, Kasar also underwent training courses as a Certified Addiction Counsellor (CAC I) at the Basic Level and Certified Addiction Counsellor (CAC-III) at the Supervisory Level at the University of the Nations, Youth With A Mission, headquartered in Hawaii.
Healing Others as Counsellors
According to Kasar, the rehab centre is based on a faith perspective, using the 12-step programme to help guide those struggling with addiction towards a path of lasting sobriety. “We believe that no matter what or where you have been through, there is ‘Hope’ for recovery,” he added.
At present, at least 73 clients have been admitted to the centre with hopes of recovering and returning to the mainstream. Out of the compassionate 17 staff, seven are highly trained and dedicated counsellors to ensure each patient receives the best chance of achieving sobriety and accepting that recovery is a lifelong process that demands ongoing commitment.
Also Read: Ray of Hope: How friends got together to fight drug abuse in Mizoram
Most patients, according to Kasar, are between the ages of 18 and 60, and the majority are tribals, including a few from Nagaland.
“We have treated around 1,500 people, including government employees, of which 365 have recovered, which is too few. This data collection was done after I called them up or visited their homes personally to check their status,” said Kasar, underscoring his commitment to guiding those struggling with addiction towards a path of lasting sobriety.
“This disease never allows us to get serious, and when we crave drugs, it will never allow us to seek help from a counsellor because it is a powerful disease,” he added.
Since relapse among drug addicts is common, Kasar opined that people involved in running such centres need to set certain boundaries to avoid burnout.
“We should know that this addiction or alcoholism is a cunning, baffling disease that a person cannot fight on their own; they need a higher power, which is God,” he added.
Meanwhile, Solomon Shimray, the programme in charge at Hope Ministry Rehabilitation Centre, feels that the Church’s active involvement in addressing the drug menace is needed because the Church plays a very important role, especially in a Christian-dominated society.
Also Read: Faith in action: How Nagaland churches are battling drug abuse
“There are different kinds of addiction, and the Church can send people for specific types of training, be it art therapy, cognitive therapy, obsessive-compulsive therapy, etc. So, if the Church can set up a specific programme, especially in this addiction and recovery field, I am sure the addiction rate will go down, or the recovery rate will go up,” he said.
Shimray, who has more than 10 years of experience as a caregiver in the addiction and recovery field, also said that as a caregiver, someone who understands addicts must be present at the centre all the time. Addicts must be constantly observed and monitored so that changes in their psychological, mental, physical, and emotional state can be detected.
Stories of Inmates
Alex (name changed), a 24-year-old youth from Noney district, shared that he came to know about drugs through his cousin when he was studying in Class 9. Later, some of his high school friends were using the same drugs, and he eventually joined them, using substances for the last six years.
“This is my fifth visit to a rehab centre, and I feel safer here because when I am at home, I cannot handle my emotions, and boredom draws me to such activities again. Now, I want to be a better person and look after my children and family once I am out of here,” said Alex, a father of two young daughters.
Also Read: In God we trust: How religious groups fight against drug abuse in Meghalaya
Angam, a 50-year-old alcoholic from Ukhrul district, has been at the facility for the last five months. He shared that the staff have been very helpful to him as he navigates becoming a better person.
“I started drinking while I was studying in Delhi. On weekends, whenever I caught up with friends, we used to drink and have dinner together. After I relocated back home, I began drinking more often out of boredom, and it has been 20 years now,” said Angam, who gave up his PhD studies due to his alcoholism.
“I have been to other rehab facilities earlier, but I am happy that I came here because it helps me put my life more in God’s hands and take it more seriously,” added John (name changed), a 26-year-old football player from Chandel district.
“I hope I can get over my addiction and get on with my life better,” he added.
You just read a story that took days to report. Help us keep our reporters on the ground in the Northeast.
Ad-free reading, support and keep important stories alive
Support once (any amount)
Scan to pay via UPI