It is often love and persistence of the family and society that make recovering from an alcohol and drug addiction a reality. In Phuentshogling’s Happiness Centre, individuals who once battled the grip of addiction are now embracing newfound skills and jobs. Tashi Tobgay and Sonam Tamang are rewriting their lives, leaving behind a past shadowed by addiction.
26-year-old Tashi Tobgay has been in the Happiness Centre for the past few months. He is still fighting his alcohol addiction. However, recently, Tashi started taking driving classes. He says learning a new skill keeps him determined and boosts his morale to lead an alcohol-free life.
As he takes the wheel each day, Tashi is reminded not only of his personal struggles but also of the unwavering support his family and the Centre have provided.
Tashi is from Trongsa and has been in Phuentshogling for years. What began as a casual sip of alcohol in his early years quickly spiralled into a dependency.
His sister admitted him for rehabilitation multiple times in hopes of helping him turn his life around. Despite his repeated relapses, the Happiness Centre never gave up on him, offering continuous support and guidance.
He said, “Life here at the rehabilitation centre is very different from the outside world. People often look down on us. Whether it’s at work or elsewhere, we face insults and harsh judgments. But I’ve come to realize that the things I did in the past were wrong.”
And then, there’s the story of 37-year-old Sonam Tamang who also found a second chance at life through the Centre.
Almost a year sober now, he works in a workshop. His past was consumed by addiction to both alcohol and drugs. With no steady income, his desperation to buy drugs and alcohol led him to a path of crime. Happiness Centre took him and became his refuge. Today, he stands tall and self-sufficient.
Sonam Tamang said, “I had been in and out of prison multiple times, and even my family had lost hope in me. I was trapped in a cycle of drugs and alcohol. But when I found the Centre, it not only helped me overcome my addiction but also gave me the opportunity to find a job.”
For Tashi and Sonam, the Happiness Centre is more than just a rehabilitation facility. It has been a beacon of hope, a place where broken lives are mended and brighter futures begin.
The Centre has so far helped more than five hundred people reintegrate into society with renewed confidence.
Kinley Dem, Phuentshogling
Edited by Sangay Chezom
