D𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐧 𝐁𝐣𝐮𝐣𝐞𝐥’𝐬 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐨𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝

“…𝒊𝒕 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒂 𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒍𝒆 𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒉 𝒅𝒂𝒚, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒅𝒖𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚, 𝒊𝒕 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒎𝒆 𝒂 𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒆. 𝑩𝒆𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝑰 𝒌𝒏𝒆𝒘 𝒊𝒕, 𝑰 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒂𝒍𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒚 𝒂𝒏 𝒂𝒍𝒄𝒐𝒉𝒐𝒍𝒊𝒄.”

By Sonam Choki

Dhan Man Bjujel’s journey through alcohol addiction spanned a decade-long battle, beginning in 2013. As he struggled with alcoholism over the years, the toll on his life became increasingly evident. However, his commitment to recovery led him to seek aftercare at the Happiness Center in Phuentsholing. This phase of aftercare has been crucial, providing ongoing support and guidance to help him navigate the challenges of maintaining sobriety and rebuilding his life.

He shares how he fell into alcohol addiction. “I was easily influenced by alcohol. I never thought I would become an alcoholic,” Bjujel admits. “Whenever I met my friends, I would drink for enjoyment. It started with just a little each day, but gradually, it became a routine. Before I knew it, I was already an alcoholic.” Despite drinking for ten years, he wasn’t aware of his addiction.

His alcohol dependency led to the loss of his job, and eventually, he even sold his personal car to fuel his habit. Despite attempts to find alternative employment, maintaining a job proved difficult due to his persistent drinking. Days merged into nights as he continued to consume alcohol, often neglecting his duties and commitments. Even when he secured a new job, his ability to sustain it was short-lived, invariably relapsing into destructive drinking patterns after only a few days of work.

“I was unemployed but constantly preoccupied with seeking out friends who could provide alcohol,” he reflects. “I couldn’t even find time to do my own laundry. My situation deteriorated to the point where I would wear dirty clothes and wander aimlessly. People began to shun me, viewing me as less than human because of my addiction.”

Later, when he had no source of income, he hired a vehicle to earn a living. However, he soon fell back into his old habits after only a few months. Due to his inability to control his alcohol consumption, he even had an accident and broke his leg. “Even in such dire circumstances, I couldn’t stop drinking,” he admits. “At that time, my wife also left me.” In a desperate attempt to help him quit drinking, his in-laws gave him an ultimatum: choose between alcohol and his wife. He chose alcohol.

“Despite her departure, he remained trapped in alcohol’s grip, which consumed his life. It not only destroyed his own life, but it also led his family to withdraw their support, and society rejected him. “I resorted to drinking on credit, lying to others, and begging for money for alcohol.”

His parents thought that if he had his taxi and a steady income, he might stop drinking. However, even with this opportunity, he persisted in his old habits. Things worsened to the point where his professional license was revoked, and he was involved in another accident. “My brothers gave up on me and took back the taxi,” he recalls. “My parents, however, remained supportive and did everything in their power to help me overcome my addiction.”
“After ten years of persistent drinking and neglecting my well-being, I began experiencing hallucinations. It was then that my brothers, with support from the Happiness Center, admitted me to a rehabilitation center, which ultimately saved me.”

During his time at the rehabilitation center in Jaigaon, he underwent a transformative journey of self-discovery. Through counseling sessions and educational opportunities, he began to understand himself better. With an extended period of sobriety, he finally had the chance to reflect on his life. As memories of his past actions resurfaced, he came to the profound realization that his previous behavior was detrimental and unsustainable. This newfound awareness instilled in him a determination to embrace positive change and leave his destructive habits behind.

The counselor offered personalized advice tailored to his specific struggles with alcoholism and addiction. Through one-on-one sessions and group discussions, he gained insights into the underlying causes of his addictive behavior and learned coping mechanisms to overcome cravings and triggers. The counselor’s empathetic approach and understanding provided him with a safe space to express his concerns and fears, fostering a sense of trust and openness in his recovery journey. By addressing not only the symptoms but also the root causes of his addiction, The Rehabilitation Center empowered him to reclaim control of his life and build a brighter future free from the shackles of alcoholism.

He spent four months and twenty-eight days at the rehabilitation center in Jaigaon, and afterward, his brother brought him to the Happiness Center. “I felt a strong sense of belonging at the Happiness Center,” he recalls fondly. During his time there, he witnessed countless individuals like himself recovering from addiction and uncovering new passions. The presence of counselors who were themselves former addicts proved pivotal in his transformation. Through their personal stories, he found both inspiration and direction. The ongoing support provided by the Happiness Center has been instrumental in his recovery journey and continues to offer aftercare assistance.

The organization “Respect, Educate, Nurture, and Empower Women” (RENEW) made a meaningful impact on his path to recovery. Through their support services, RENEW not only provided him with practical assistance but also offered a supportive community that encouraged his journey towards sobriety.

The opportunity provided by RENEW for a three-month internship was instrumental in his recovery process. During this internship, he not only gained valuable vocational skills but also experienced a sense of purpose and fulfillment through meaningful work. Engaging in productive activities like crafting not only occupied his time constructively but also helped him rebuild his confidence and self-esteem. Moreover, the guidance and counsel he received from his RENEW counselor were indispensable.

He said, “After quitting alcohol, I started to see life in a whole new light. I feel more vibrant, and I’ve noticed that people treat me with respect. This is what real life feels like. Nowadays, I feel out of place near bars, and whenever I encounter individuals struggling with alcohol, I encourage them to seek help from a happiness center. Some take my advice to heart, while others hesitate. I’ve even managed to persuade two individuals to seek treatment at the center.”
He further added, “Thanks to the center’s support, I’ve found myself engaged in fulfilling activities. I’ve expanded my knowledge, spend leisure time playing games with friends, assist with various tasks, attend classes, and even lend a hand with cooking.”

With support and guidance from the center, he has managed to secure a job, marking a significant milestone in his journey of sobriety. However, despite his recent employment, he remains deeply committed to his relationships with both friends and counselors at the center. These connections have become integral to his ongoing progress, providing him with invaluable support, guidance, and a sense of belonging. By continuing to spend time with them, he not only strengthens his support network but also reinforces his commitment to maintaining a healthy and fulfilling lifestyle beyond his addiction.