Telangana plans de-addiction units in govt med colleges

HYDERABAD: With the Institute of Mental Health at Erragadda struggling to cope with a surge in substance abuse cases from across Telangana, the state health department is planning a major expansion of de-addiction infrastructure by establishing 10-bed centres in 36 govt medical colleges.

IMH Erragadda recorded over 620 addiction cases in Dec last and around 700 cases in Jan, underscoring the mounting pressure on the facility. Over the past few months, severe alcohol addiction accounted for the highest number of cases at 708, followed by tobacco consumption (682), marijuana (72) and sedatives (14), among others.

“Currently, patients do come to medical colleges in districts where they are treated, but there is no provision for admission. We sent a proposal to the govt to set up 10bed DTCs at these govt medical colleges. It will help the doctors to treat those patients there itself instead of travelling to Hyderabad. This will also work under a huband-spokes model anchoring the new regional DTCs in the districts,” said Dr Anita Rayirala, superintendent, IMH, stressing the urgency of expansion given the rising number of cases, particularly among adolescents and young adults.

At present, IMH Erragadda remains Telangana’s only govt-run de-addiction facility, with a capacity of just 20 beds. The health department is also planning to expand IMH itself, increasing bed strength to 60, and adding dedicated counselling services and essential diagnostic support, both of which are currently lacking.

“We need to provide the full range of services—from detoxification and de-addiction to rehabilitation and group counselling—with support from psychologists and social workers,” Dr Rayirala added.
Mental health experts said the existing capacity at IMH is grossly inadequate, as the centre receives hundreds of substance abuse cases every month from both Hyderabad and districts. They said the steady rise in cases outside the capital highlights the need for decentralised de-addiction services closer to patients’ homes.Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Valentine's day wishes, messages and gift idea !