Manipur nurse overcomes drug dependence, returns to teaching after rehab
A nursing lecturer from Imphal West who developed substance dependence after marital separation has resumed her career and remained sober since 2024.
A 37-year-old nursing professional from Imphal West, Manipur, has resumed her career and maintained sobriety since 2024 after receiving treatment and rehabilitation support for substance dependence.
The woman, identified only as Lena, turned to substance use after separating from her husband. The breakdown of the marriage left her grappling with loneliness, hopelessness and severe emotional distress, and she began using drugs as a way of coping with her pain and stress.
Despite holding an MSc in Nursing, her dependence took a heavy toll. It affected her mental health, strained her family and social relationships, eroded her self-confidence and damaged her finances and professional career. She relapsed more than once, leading to two separate treatment admissions, but remained determined to recover.
On 9 May 2024, she was admitted for treatment and rehabilitation at Sneha Bhavan in Imphal West, an Integrated Rehabilitation Centre for Addicts supported under the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction.
At the centre, she received medical care and health monitoring along with individual counselling, group therapy and psychosocial support. The programme also included relapse-prevention counselling, life-skills education and confidence-building activities. Family counselling, occupational guidance and continued follow-up support helped her work through the emotional trauma and loneliness underlying her substance use and strengthened her commitment to long-term recovery.
The structured environment helped her regain discipline, emotional stability, hope and self-confidence. She showed positive behavioural changes and learned healthier ways of managing difficult emotions.
After completing treatment, she returned to work as a nursing lecturer, restoring a regular source of income and regaining financial independence. She said the recovery process helped her rebuild her confidence, resume her profession and move forward with dignity.
She is now leading a sober, stable and purposeful life. Her case illustrates that recovery remains possible even after relapse when professional care, family involvement and sustained rehabilitation services are available, and that such support can help individuals reclaim their dignity, rebuild relationships and put their education and skills to use again.