Dipankar Guha
recovered addict
From my school life I started to experiment with various drugs and became an addict. I have abused drugs and alcohol for about 20 years. Due to my addiction, I lost many things such as family, friends, my job, money, talents, principles and values. My addictive nature forced me to become an unsocial element in society and took me behind bars for five years. I was forced to live on the streets for over a year. Several times, I was treated for my problem, but I relapsed time and again. After my last detoxification, I came to Art of Living and joined rehabilitation course, it helped recover from my addiction, now am gradually recovering to the normal life.

Ranjan Samanta
I started taking drugs from 1991. The euphoria of the drug made me stick to it and I never knew that this thing will land me in such a helpless situation. By the end of 2004, life became miserable. By that time I got married and had two children. Instead of looking after them, they had to be anxious about me. My elder sister brought me to the VVM Deaddiction Research Center. After 10 to 12 days I was taught the ‘Sudarshan Kriya’. I had no idea and, in fact, I didn’t feel like doing it and was wondering how it could help me in my addiction problem. Gradually, I could feel the difference. My impatience, irritation and short-tempered behavior started to diminish. Today, when I look at myself, I find myself totally different from my past. After two months, I took a big decision. May be this is the first correct decision I made after 15 years. I stayed here to help other addicts and started my life from the root once again. Today my family is very happy. My children love me and eagerly wait for me when I go home. Trust and faith which I lost before is coming back. Today I am happy leading a sober life and grateful to all the people at the centre who helped me to come back to a normal life.

A former addict of multiple drugs
Earlier, I couldn’t manage my life and used to smoke three packets of cigarettes a day. I used to walk but I didn’t know where I was going. I found the residential course a challenge and have realized the importance of taking care of my body. Now, I can’t even finish one or two cigarettes.

Dipankar Guha, recovered addict
From my school life I started to experiment with various drugs and became an addict. I have abused drugs and alcohol for about 20 years. Due to my addiction, I lost many things such as family, friends, my job, money, talents, principles and values. My addictive nature forced me to become an unsocial element in society and took me behind bars for five years. I was forced to live on the streets for over a year. Several times, I was treated for my problem, but I relapsed time and again. After my last detoxification, I came to Art of Living’s VVM De-addiction Research Centre. After a month of stay at the centre, I was sent to participate in the Art of Living’s Youth Leadership Training Program (YLTP). And that was the turning point in my life. This training helped me gain confidence in myself. I realized that previously, the cause of my relapse was spiritual bankruptcy. Today I am working for other individuals suffering from addiction and am generating awareness in society. Today I am lucky enough because gradually I am recovering the things that I had lost, apart from time.