Alcoholics In Selected De-Addiction Centres  

DISCUSSION: A national study of prisoners and parolees in 1996 found that just under half had taken alcohol or other drugs just prior to the crime for which they were incarcerated (Rocha-Silva & Stahmer, 1996). Drinking was especially linked to rape and housebreaking offences. Focusing on the Catholic families, the Synod observed, "Consumerism, sexual permissiveness, individualism, greed and property disputes, alcoholism, violence within the family and the generation gap are some of the major factors that have adversely affected the family" (Archdiocese of Goa and Daman 2002).

The Synod has also recognized, though not specifically mentioned, the fact that women are the most affected due to alcoholism and has called for an increase in women's participation in the church, and that "the denunciation of evils such as rape, violence against women, dowry and amniocentesis should be part of our prophetic mission" (Archdiocese of Goa and Daman 2002). "Violence against women", mainly domestic violence, is mostly due to alcoholism. Among the Hindus, the bhatt (Hindu priest) has a limited role, normally restricted to religious ceremonies and guidance, especially when the Hindu seeks divine intercession. Usually the bhatt advises the person seeking divine intercession about the ills of alcohol consumption, if he comes to know about the drinking habits of the person. Similarly, the Hindu community organizes various provochonam (sermons) or kirtonam (divine songs) during festivals like Ganesh and such. Popular Hindu religious leaders are invited to speak on the occasion. These occasions provide an opportunity to acquire social messages, like the ill effects of alcohol consumption.

CONCLUSION: Over the several decades we have learned that religiosity and religious affiliation are not sufficient to protect against the development of AUD, but that spiritual experiences and spiritual practices, including prayer and mindfulness meditation, may be helpful in reducing hazardous drinking. In recent years, increasing numbers of studies have used experimental designs to examine the effects of spiritual practices on alcohol use and AUD recovery, demonstrating that engaging in prayer may help reduce hazardous alcohol use (Lambert et al. 2010) and that engaging in mindfulness meditation practices reduces risk for relapse following treatment for AUD (Bowen et al. 2009, 2014; Witkiewitz et al. 2014).