Restoring Lives: The De-Addiction Rehabilitation Centre by Sarathi Welfare Trust

In many communities across Howrah and Hooghly, addiction remains a quietly growing concern—one that requires compassion, structure, and sustained support. The De-Addiction Rehabilitation Centre of Sarathi Welfare Trust, known locally as Neshamukti Kendra, is one such place of hope, where recovery is possible, dignity is restored, and lives are rebuilt.

What is Neshamukti Kendra?

“Neshamukti Kendra” means “center for freedom from substance addiction.” It is a beacon of support for those seeking to break free from dependency on alcohol, drugs, or other harmful substances. Under Sarathi Welfare Trust’s care, the Neshamukti Kendra in Howrah (and its counterpart in Hooghly) operates as more than just a detox facility—it is a comprehensive rehabilitation programme.

Mission & Vision

• Mission: To provide holistic care for individuals struggling with addiction, combining medical, psychological, social, and spiritual components to help them rejoin society as healthy, productive citizens.

• Vision: A society where addiction is not a stigma but an illness treated with empathy; where those who fall are helped up without judgment; where families are supported; and where prevention and awareness are as strong as cure.

Why the Need in Howrah & Hooghly

Howrah and Hooghly are not immune to the challenges of substance misuse: social stress, unemployment, peer pressure, and availability of addictive substances all play a role. Rehabilitation centres, or Nesha Mukti Kendras, and De-Addiction Rehabilitation Centres are vital in these districts to offer:

• Early intervention

• Counseling and therapy

• Safe detoxification

• Aftercare and reintegration support

Sarathi Welfare Trust has recognized these needs and responded by setting up centres and support systems.

Services Offered at Sarathi’s De-Addiction Rehabilitation Centre

Here are the core elements that make the centre effective and compassionate:

The Role of the Neshamukti Kendra in Howrah & Hooghly

Sarathi Welfare Trust’s centres in Howrah and Hooghly serve overlapping but distinct roles:

• Neshamukti Kendra in Howrah focuses on providing access for urban, densely populated populations—those who may not be aware of or able to access services easily. It addresses immediate withdrawal, counseling, and network support within Howrah.

• Rehab Centre in Hooghly / Neshamukti Kendra in Hooghly acts also as a hub for people from rural or semi-rural areas; often longer-term stays, more community tie-ups, more focus on vocational reintegration because employment opportunity plays a big role in these areas.

This dual presence strengthens the capacity of Sarathi Welfare Trust to reach a wider population and tailor services suitable for different socio-economic contexts.

Old Age Home as part of the Care Ecosystem

Another dimension of Sarathi Welfare Trust’s work is the old age home in Hooghly. There is often overlap: elderly people suffering from substance misuse may require elder care; families broken by addiction might also lack elders’ support; older persons may be vulnerable or isolated. The old age home complements the de-addiction and rehabilitation work by:

• Providing shelter, nutrition, medical care to senior citizens

• Offering companionship, reducing isolation which often worsens mental health or addiction relapse

• Serving as a stable environment to which people recovering from addiction can look forward and plan for the long term

Success Stories & Impact

• “Ravi’s Journey”: From heavy alcohol use, losing family connection, to completing counselling, vocational training, now working part-time and reconciling with his family.

• “Rohan’s Strength”: Battled drug use compounded by lack of awareness; through group therapy, she regained confidence, became a peer counsellor herself.

These illustrate how a De-Addiction Rehabilitation Centre can transform lives—not just avoiding relapse, but helping people rebuild purpose.

Challenges & The Road Ahead

Of course, operating such centres is not without obstacles:

• Stigma and social barriers: People fear judgment; shame can prevent seeking help.

• Resource constraints: Qualified staff, funding for medicines, space, aftercare services are always stretched.

• Relapse rates: Addiction is often chronic; relapse is possible—requires sustained support.

• Awareness: Many people don’t know about Neshamukti Kendras or trust them.

The way forward includes increasing community outreach, securing funding, training more counsellors/social workers, strengthening follow-ups.

How the Community Can Help

• Volunteer: Whether in counselling, logistics, visiting, mentoring recovered persons.

• Donate: Financial help, medical supplies, educational/vocational tools.

• Awareness: Share information about Neshamukti Kendra in Howrah and Hooghly, reduce stigma.

• Employ: Give work opportunities to people recovering from addiction—this goes a long way for reintegration.

Conclusion

The Sarathi Welfare Trust’s De-Addiction Rehabilitation Centre—its Neshamukti Kendra in Howrah and Hooghly—is more than a treatment institution. It is a place of second chances: for those cradled in despair to find hope, for families to heal, for communities to regain their strength. Supporting the old age home alongside the rehab centre, the Trust weaves together a care ecosystem that acknowledges that human worth does not vanish with addiction or age.

If you, or someone you know, needs help, or wants to contribute, remember: recovery begins where compassion meets action.