There were a total of 131 cases of addiction reported in Riyadh during the holy month of Ramadan, all of them males, the executive director of Al-Amal Hospital for Psychological Health, Dr. Mohammad bin Mashouf Al-Qahtani, has revealed.

Of the 131 addiction cases reported, 128 resulted in patients being admitted. He said 70 percent of cases which resulted in patient admission brought forward by families themselves.

Stating that all the new cases involved patients’ ages ranging between 15 and 55, he said that the percentage of relapse among patients was high at the international level but can be brought under control if the patients undergo rehabilitation and self-support programs.

Around 722 patients went back for follow up, he pointed out.

Dr. Al-Qahtani said the number of those admitted to the hospital has not increased.

“The number of cases admitted is within the monthly average, if not less. We admitted 128 patients during Ramadan, while the monthly average is 129,” he said, adding that the decision to admit addicts was based on medical assessment by a team of doctors and set of medical parameters. 

He said the most important element in the treatment process was the addicts willingness to get better. “Intensified efforts and treatment programs will not work if the patient isn’t completely committed to the treatment,” he added.

Because addiction is a chronic ailment, patients should undergo various treatment programs, which include detox and drop-in withdrawal symptoms, as well as extensive rehabilitation programs, behavioral therapy and religious programs. “If we force patients to undergo therapy, we can’t expect positive results,” he said. 

Abdul Ilah bin Mohammed Al-Sharif, assistant director-general of Anti-Drug Preventive Affairs, an international expert in the United Nations and chairman of the Commission to consider cases of addiction in Saudi Arabia, said the continued use of drugs and increased family demands to admit their children to Al-Amal Hospital was a pointer to the hospital’s major efforts to receive cases and treat them with confidentiality according to the wishes of patients’ families.

“I call on the Ministry of Islamic Affairs to focus on youth programs through mosque Imams. Universities and schools should also intensify their programs and educate students about the negative effects of drugs,” he said. 

Um Abdulraziq, mother of a drug addict, said her 25-year-old son has been taking drugs during Ramadan, which forced her to take him to Al-Amal Hospital because the family was suffering from his addiction.

Her son became an addict when he was just 16 years old, mainly because of bad company. He underwent treatment in London, but soon after his return to Saudi Arabia, went back to his addiction. She called on parents to keep a watch on their children and monitor their behavior to protect them against falling prey to any kind of addiction.