Our Mission
Surge Towards the Skyline…
Our dream is creation of an addiction free society. To translate it into reality, we employ awareness programs, de–addiction treatment facilities and comprehensive rehabilitation programs.

Our primary objective is the evolution of a spontaneous treatment module in tune with our culture and human values, based on actual life experiences.

We are convinced that this collective and collaborative experiment based on scientific methods will awaken the spirit inherent in human beings and enhance hopes of a meaningful life, in every individual who shares this dream.

Every moment stands for commitment for our mission and has dedicated us to enhance versatility in our efforts. Interdependence, self–discipline, creativity and mutual respect are our guiding principles.

We extend total support and assistance to achieve rehabilitation of every individual and his family to the path of addiction free life.

We maintain the professional ethics – extending the best of every possible support towards the achievement of this goal.

Having established a mission let us see how Muktangan went about developing a treatment model.

Evolution
Muktangan De–addiction Center was established on 29th August, 1986. The late Dr. Anita Awachat, founder of the center decided to follow an evolving approach in developing a treatment model. From what she perceived of the addiction problem, she was convinced that

• Addiction is a disease.
• Friends admitted need security and love.
• They should be given opportunity to express their creative instincts.
• They should restore faith in values.
• They need to be accepted by family members and support also should be given to their family members.
• Most importantly, the friends admitted should be emotionally comfortable.

Dr. Anita (fondly called Madam) kept her options of treatment open for suggestions from the friends. As for the therapeutic milieu, since she respected and attempted to follow Mahatma Gandhi’s teachings, a system akin to Gandhiji’s ashram system was her goal. Consequently, simplicity, self–reliance, maintaining the center by the inmates was part of the center since inception. There are no special rooms for anyone and self–discipline is the key factor.

Madam used to discuss with the friends what would help them recover. Some said that music might help, so music therapy was introduced. One of the friends admitted was a physical trainer. He set up an exercise regime for the inmates. Madam used to learn Yoga and she thought it would be useful during recovery, so Yoga was introduced. Madam started attending AA meetings and understood their vital importance in the recovery process so AA meeting was introduced. Gradually, a systematic therapy structure evolved.


Counselling
Rehabilitation of the recovered addicts was a big problem. Madam thought that the recovered addicts, irrespective of their educational qualifications, have the experience of addiction and know the difficult process of recovery. They can talk with new entrants and share their experiences and empathise with them. At the same time they can be role models. She always encouraged recovering addicts to become social workers and counsellors. At present Muktangan is manned by 80% recovering addicts. We believe that the success of the program lies here.

Groups
Madam used to discuss with the family members. She realised that they also need emotional support, education about the disease and support during recovery of the addict. She then started regular family meetings. She also encouraged family members to attend group therapy, so they can understand what has been taught to the patient and how far he is progressing.

There were some married friends. After treatment madam realised that even if our friend is sober he has many marital problems. To deal with such problems she started the meeting for couples. And then she realised that wives of addicts had inhibitions about talking freely in the presence of their addict husband. Therefore a special group called Sahachari – exclusively for the wives of addicts was formed. Gradually madam came to realise that the children of addicts were also affected. They were not doing well in studies and facing many emotional and behaviour problems. They also needed counselling, hence special services to kids were rendered in the Ankur group.

Our therapeutic model is a learning model. We go on changing the inputs based upon current requirements. When ILO (International Labour Organisation) requested us to execute workplace prevention program, we learnt about WPR (Whole Person Recovery) and modified our program. Similarly at the instance of ILO we adopted a slum area and learnt to effectively implement community based programs. Our trustee and well–known psychiatrist and a pioneer of de–addiction work in India, Dr. Anand Nadkarni, has been providing new therapeutic insights to us. At his instance Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT) was made a part of the treatment. Our staff is given ongoing training by visiting experts. A nutrition specialist fixes the food menu at Muktangan.