11 liquor addicts commit suicide in Coastal Karnataka

Team Udayavani, Apr 2, 2020, 6:00 PM IST

Udupi: PM Modi announced a 21-day lockdown in the country and while shops offering essential services were allowed to function, bars and liquor shops are shut down.

Following this, various cases of withdrawal symptoms came into light. Withdrawal symptoms due to non-consumption of alcohol in addicts include seizures, epilepsy, anti-social behaviour and tendency to harm oneself and others. The withdrawal symptoms would be so severe that such patients would also develop suicidal symptoms.

Now, 11 liquor addicts in Udupi and Dakshina Kannada district have committed suicide due to non-availability of liquor. It is said that, District administration in association with psychiatrists has taken the initiative to provide counselling services along with telemedicine to the addicts.

Deputy commissioner G Jagadeesh said that arrangements will be made to provide treatments and personal counselling for the liquor addicts. The treatments are provided in government hospital of Ajjarkad and the department of psychiatry in the office of the district health and family welfare office. The families are required to contact the district administration for any assistance.