One point is that most of the clients who are staying in the program for a long time, their family members are quite supportive. They are monitored closely by their family members, even when they are going to miss one dose, they [the family members] will call up and communicate with the counsellor and service provider. So that kind of relationship and communication is necessary with the family member and service provider. They would also ask if he has gone to take his dose for today… There is need for good support. Service provider 25
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When I was taking drugs, then no one would support me as they are now. There would be no one to give me even 5 rupees at that time. Now, if I go for taking the methadone, they will give me money to get the fuel for the four-wheeler instead of the two-wheeler. On top of that they will ask me if I have some pocket money. Sometimes when there is a shortage of vehicles for me to go to the centre, they will arrange a vehicle for me somehow by postponing another task, with the thought that going to the centre to take the methadone is very much necessary. Participant 13 (retained)
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When my mother, father or wife support me, like when they wake me up they will remind me about the medication. If I don’t have the fare to go at the centre, they will manage somehow and give it to me. So these kinds of things give me some encouragement. Further, when I see them peeking and waiting for me to return home and getting worried that I may go the wrong way again, I understand their feelings and think I will not go back to that way again. Participant 5 (retained)
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Yes, it is because of the support from the family members that people can come here daily to take the methadone. My home is a little far away from the clinic, but I can come here daily because of my family support. Whether there is any strike or bandh, I used to reach the clinic anyhow with my family support and never missed my dose. Participant 16 (retained)
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Without the family’s support, I don’t think a person could continue on the program successfully. Initially I used to come here for taking the methadone along with my family, my wife or uncle. At the initial stage when the dose was small, I got wearied and blew out, so at this stage if a person is alone he might have gone in a wrong direction. So I feel that family support is very much necessary here. Participant 19 (retained)
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(I)f the family members give proper support, there is less chance of drop out. If the family support is less, the chance of drop out is high. At the time of induction phase, we inform them that they (family members) can always come along with the client, but this is mandatory for 2 months’ minimum. So, I would say that most of the drop outs are due to lack of family support. Service Provider 27
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