The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment published a case study demonstrating the successful rehabilitation of Rajesh Kumar (name changed), a 47-year-old self-employed individual from Dhenkanal district, Odisha, who had been struggling with alcohol addiction for 23 years. The intervention was conducted under the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR) through ASHRA–Integrated Rehabilitation Centre for Addicts (IRCA), functioning under the Arun Institute of Rural Affairs in Dhenkanal.
Mr. Kumar's addiction had severely impacted his personal and professional life, causing marital separation and limiting his earning capacity to approximately ₹10,000 per month from his catering profession. After identification by a social worker associated with ASHRA-IRCA, he underwent a one-month residential rehabilitation program that provided detoxification services, individual counseling, psychological and emotional support, behavioral therapy, and motivational guidance in a safe and supportive environment.
The rehabilitation program successfully helped Mr. Kumar achieve sobriety, emotional stability, and social reintegration. Following completion of treatment, he resumed his catering profession with renewed confidence and responsibility, resulting in his monthly income increasing from ₹10,000 to ₹16,000, representing a 60% improvement in earnings due to improved work consistency and livelihood stability.
This case study highlights the operational effectiveness of the NAPDDR scheme in providing accessible rehabilitation, professional counseling, and sustained motivational support to individuals struggling with substance dependence. The program demonstrates how institutional support can help individuals rebuild lives with dignity, achieve self-reliance, and move toward productive futures through community outreach and compassionate care mechanisms funded by the government.