10 years after first using drugs, Amdavadi youth turns into beacon of hope
Tirth found his calling at the mental hospital where he helps patients, assists doctors
A year ago, Tirth Trivedi (28) of Vasna, began his day with cigarettes, while the rest of it was spent in a heady cocktail of his varied addictions — marijuana, cough syrups, analgesics, alcohol, hard drugs and anything he could lay his hands on. He suffered extreme mood swings, picked fights with his family members and spent nights at a BPO he worked with.
Diagnosed with bipolar mood disorder and major addiction, Trivedi has a history of drug abuse since age 18 and was admitted twice to the hospital to stabilise.
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Today, 10 years after he first started using drugs, he has cleaned up his act completely and the Ahmedabad Mental Hospital, where he had been in rehab, has employed him as an English/Gujarati translator for a Japanese scholar. He also works as data entry operator for the hospital’s UDID or Unique Disability ID disbursal process.
How it all started
Tirth’s frolic with drugs started after a failed love affair. Living away from parents and losing his dad and cousin sister in quick succession pushed him into depression and drugs. His addiction was spurred due to financial setbacks, bad company and the BPO culture sucked him into the fast lane of drug abuse.
Recounting his last decade, Tirth told Mirror, “I took to drugs when I was 18 and was caught red-handed on a number of occasions. My parent’s dream of reuniting with me were shattered when they saw my dark moods. I gave up studies at Indus University in Shilaj when my dad passed away. My 17-year-old cousin sister soon passed away. I supported myself with a BPO job that offered good money and fed my addiction.
I smoked marijuana and every hard drug available, took hypnotic drugs, tranquilisers, anti-anxiety drugs, sedatives and cough syrups. I turned to drugs to kill the pain and they brought me temporary peace and calm. I had huge temper tantrums and was violent with my family. I spent Rs 15,000 every month on drugs and alcohol.”
Refusing parents’attempt to admit him to rehab
His parents attempted to admit him to rehab facility in Mumbai on various occasions after his failed suicide bids but without success. “I hated being pulled up for pending fees in school because of our financial condition and started working at a BPO when I was 18. I made money but did not spend it wisely.
I even jumped from my building and hurt myself. My friends fuelled my habit. I was admitted to a hospital in November 2017 and diagnosed with bipolar mood disorder and addiction. I relapsed after my release and was readmitted until January.”
“After 18 months, I still smoke but am clean and stable. My mood swings are gone. I make monthly visits to the hospital with a family member for check-ups and medicine. This job found me at a time when I wanted to do something useful here. I feel that doctors saw my recovery and found me capable which is why they entrusted me with responsibility. The experience shook me up but made me positive and I grabbed this chance. This is what I wanted to do and am happy with my job and my near ones are happy with the change in me.
The pay is less but the environment is conducive. The doctors kept a watch on me. I tried committing suicide but did not die and now life has given me a second chance. I want to stand on my feet,” Tirth said.
‘Joining mainstream abig struggle’
Mainstreaming and handholding patients with mental health problems is part of hospital’s rehabilitation plan. Many schizophrenia patients who have shown recovery work as peer support volunteers and help draw up recovery plan for patients. “It is a struggle for mental health patients to join the mainstream post recovery.
Tirth’s career derailed because of his addiction and illness but looking at his abilities we believed he can work independently.
We offered him a job on incentive basis rather than following a process of a government job. The job provides him an opportunity to get back his confidence, live a dignified life and be a role model to others.
He is free to pursue other careers once he regains confidence,” Dr Ajay Chauhan, Superintendent of Government Hospital for Mental Health and state nodal officer for mental health, said.
Hospital staffers recall Tirth taking part in cricket tournaments organised on sports day held at the hospital in 2017.
“He began assisting a Japanese researcher with Hindi and Gujarati translations and now handles data entry of UDID (Swavlamban Card) patients at the hospital. He also helps patients fill out forms. He has a good knowledge of English and bears technical skills. So, we gave him systems training which is coming in handy,” Dr Chirag Parmar, psychiatrist at the hospital, said.
Diagnosed with bipolar mood disorder and major addiction, Trivedi has a history of drug abuse since age 18 and was admitted twice to the hospital to stabilise.
Read Also:
CCTVs installed, but where’s the promised subsidy, ask residents
Today, 10 years after he first started using drugs, he has cleaned up his act completely and the Ahmedabad Mental Hospital, where he had been in rehab, has employed him as an English/Gujarati translator for a Japanese scholar. He also works as data entry operator for the hospital’s UDID or Unique Disability ID disbursal process.
How it all started
Tirth’s frolic with drugs started after a failed love affair. Living away from parents and losing his dad and cousin sister in quick succession pushed him into depression and drugs. His addiction was spurred due to financial setbacks, bad company and the BPO culture sucked him into the fast lane of drug abuse.
Recounting his last decade, Tirth told Mirror, “I took to drugs when I was 18 and was caught red-handed on a number of occasions. My parent’s dream of reuniting with me were shattered when they saw my dark moods. I gave up studies at Indus University in Shilaj when my dad passed away. My 17-year-old cousin sister soon passed away. I supported myself with a BPO job that offered good money and fed my addiction.
I smoked marijuana and every hard drug available, took hypnotic drugs, tranquilisers, anti-anxiety drugs, sedatives and cough syrups. I turned to drugs to kill the pain and they brought me temporary peace and calm. I had huge temper tantrums and was violent with my family. I spent Rs 15,000 every month on drugs and alcohol.”
Refusing parents’attempt to admit him to rehab
His parents attempted to admit him to rehab facility in Mumbai on various occasions after his failed suicide bids but without success. “I hated being pulled up for pending fees in school because of our financial condition and started working at a BPO when I was 18. I made money but did not spend it wisely.
I even jumped from my building and hurt myself. My friends fuelled my habit. I was admitted to a hospital in November 2017 and diagnosed with bipolar mood disorder and addiction. I relapsed after my release and was readmitted until January.”
“After 18 months, I still smoke but am clean and stable. My mood swings are gone. I make monthly visits to the hospital with a family member for check-ups and medicine. This job found me at a time when I wanted to do something useful here. I feel that doctors saw my recovery and found me capable which is why they entrusted me with responsibility. The experience shook me up but made me positive and I grabbed this chance. This is what I wanted to do and am happy with my job and my near ones are happy with the change in me.
The pay is less but the environment is conducive. The doctors kept a watch on me. I tried committing suicide but did not die and now life has given me a second chance. I want to stand on my feet,” Tirth said.
‘Joining mainstream abig struggle’
Mainstreaming and handholding patients with mental health problems is part of hospital’s rehabilitation plan. Many schizophrenia patients who have shown recovery work as peer support volunteers and help draw up recovery plan for patients. “It is a struggle for mental health patients to join the mainstream post recovery.
Tirth’s career derailed because of his addiction and illness but looking at his abilities we believed he can work independently.
We offered him a job on incentive basis rather than following a process of a government job. The job provides him an opportunity to get back his confidence, live a dignified life and be a role model to others.
He is free to pursue other careers once he regains confidence,” Dr Ajay Chauhan, Superintendent of Government Hospital for Mental Health and state nodal officer for mental health, said.
Hospital staffers recall Tirth taking part in cricket tournaments organised on sports day held at the hospital in 2017.
“He began assisting a Japanese researcher with Hindi and Gujarati translations and now handles data entry of UDID (Swavlamban Card) patients at the hospital. He also helps patients fill out forms. He has a good knowledge of English and bears technical skills. So, we gave him systems training which is coming in handy,” Dr Chirag Parmar, psychiatrist at the hospital, said.
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