JEDDAH — The National Anti-Narcotics Committee has warned addicts and their families against depending on private mental health clinics for treatment. A source from the Al-Rasheed National Addiction Consultancy Center reported many of the private mental health clinics are not specialized in dealing with addicts. He said: “The clinics simply prescribe addicts with sedatives when they go cold turkey. “The problem here is that sedative pills could turn into the patients' new addiction.” He added addicts need their family's support and the biggest mistake many relatives commit is leaving treatment in the hands of an unqualified clinic. “Private clinics exploit the desperation of families. “By prescribing these sedative pills, the clinic is just delaying the addiction, not treating it. “These pills are ineffective placebos and with some patients they slowly turn into their next addiction.” He added that addicts need comprehensive medical, psychological, social and mental rehabilitation in order to fully recover. “Dealing with addicts requires experts. “Addicts or families of addicts should contact Al-Rasheed Center at 1955 for the right services. “Our services include general and medical consultancies where we can refer the patient to one of the Kingdom's Amal Rehabilitation Hospitals.” He added the biggest problem facing families of addicts is that Amal Hospitals have been very difficult to reach. “The hospitals are very crowded and lack enough rooms for patients. “Families have complained that it could take up to eight months of waiting before a patient is admitted. “By calling our center, we can refer the caller to the nearest available Amal Hospital.”
