No one sets out to become an addict. For many young people, it begins as curiosity that soon turns into a habit they struggle to control. As dependence grows, quitting becomes harder, and life begins to fall apart. Until a few years ago, opportunities to rebuild their lives meaningfully were rare to come by. This is now changing. At the recent Five-Year Plan mid-term review, recovering addicts from The PEMA Rehab found a new sense of purpose, working as cooks.
At the mid-term review venue, a group of young people works behind the scenes, preparing meals for officials. They are recovering from drug and alcohol addiction at The PEMA Rehab.
Among them is 30-year-old Dorji Phuba. A trained cook, he lost his career to addiction.
“I worked as a cook before. When I had drugs, I would go to work. But when I did not have them, I experienced withdrawal and could not even get out of bed. When I had drugs, I worked well, but without them, I struggled. People misunderstood this and thought I was being dishonest. I would sweat, and my joints would hurt. Because of this, I lost my job,” said Dorji Phuba, Recovering Addict, The PEMA Rehab, Thimphu.
Another recovering addict, who prefers to remain anonymous, shares a similar experience.
“In the past, when I was using drugs, I could not work properly or give time to my family. My life became complicated. I worked in different roles, including as a manager, in contract work, and in hotels, but I could not stay in one job for long. Coming here has helped me understand life better. Otherwise, I might have ended up in prison, or even worse,” said Recovering Addict, The PEMA Rehab, Thimphu.
According to the PEMA Secretariat, such engagement programmes are critical, especially as many recovering youth struggle with confidence and risk relapse.
The PEMA Secretariat says Bhutan is strengthening its response to substance abuse by focusing not just on treatment, but also on aftercare and reintegration.
At the centre, recovery goes beyond medical treatment. Programmes include counselling, life skills, creative activities, and physical fitness to help individuals rebuild their lives.
Currently, there are 46 individuals, currently in residential treatment, while 76 are receiving care through the centre’s outpatient services.
“What was lacking in the country was a very formalised treatment system. After treatment, the aftercare and reintegration part was missing. There were no proper linkages. So even if individuals completed treatment, there was limited support to help them transition back into society,” said Dasho Dechen Wangmo, Head, The PEMA Secretariat.
Today, systems are being strengthened to ensure continuity of care and support at every stage.
“What we have done is we have standardised the treatment package. We are also streamlining the referral pathways and looking at what evidence is working. Our approach now is not just treatment, but a full continuum from treatment to aftercare and reintegration,” said Dasho Dechen Wangmo, Head, The PEMA Secretariat.
As of 24th April, 366 clients have been discharged from residential treatment since September 2023. However, challenges remain. 39 clients in residential care and 92 under outpatient treatment have not been complying with their programmes.
In addition, stigma and lack of family support continue to be major barriers to recovery.
“One of the biggest barriers is stigma. When people see a substance abuser, they see incompetence. This does not give them the confidence to take a second chance in life. Family support is also very important for recovery,” said Dasho Dechen Wangmo, Head, The PEMA Secretariat.
“I urge the public to support us instead of criticising us. We have good intentions. People often think we are dangerous, but we are not. It is our body that has become dependent. I request people not to discriminate and to treat us equally,” said Dorji Phuba, Recovering Addict, PEMA Rehab, Thimphu.
“In general, if people support us without stigma or discrimination, we will be able to rebuild our lives and make positive changes,” said a Recovering Addict, The PEMA Rehab, Thimphu.
To address this, the centre is also engaging families through regular counselling sessions and support programmes. So far, 206 clients have been engaged in skills and rehabilitation programmes, while 55 have received entrepreneurship training. Twenty-five individuals have also undergone Desuung training.
Despite the challenges, initiatives like this are helping change perceptions and create opportunities. For these young people, cooking at the mid-term review is more than just a task. It is a step towards rebuilding their lives.
Dorji Phuba now plans to return to his former job after recovery, while his friend hopes to take up a guiding course and find stable employment after completing his treatment.
“I know that if I go back to drugs, my life will become miserable again. I have already reached rock bottom. I do not want to go through that again. It does not benefit my family or me. This is my fourth offence, and if I continue, I could face a prison sentence of three to five years,” said Dorji Phuba, Recovering Addict, The PEMA Rehab, Thimphu.
“My relationship with my family is not good right now. They did not know about my drug use for many years, not even my wife or parents. When they found out, they were very surprised and disappointed. I have broken their trust, and I am facing challenges now,” said a Recovering Addict, The PEMA Rehab, Thimphu.
After spending 97 days at the centre, the duo left on Friday with renewed hope and a stronger sense of determination to rebuild their lives.
At the centre, officials reiterate that the continued family support, community acceptance, and sustained engagement are key to helping recovering youth reintegrate and lead productive lives.
Karma Wangdi
Edited by Phub Gyem
