SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
Addiction recovery goes beyond treatment; family support matters.
“Mental health is the foundation of recovery” was the central message of the National Rehabilitation Center’s (NRC) World Mental Health Day campaign, which promoted psychological support, early intervention and family involvement in recovery.
The campaign highlighted NRC’s assessment, treatment and follow-up services, while addressing misconceptions about seeking help and encouraging non-judgemental family support.
In an interview with Aletihad, Yousef Altheeb Alketbi, CEO of NRC, stressed the importance of psychological and social support in addiction treatment and long-term recovery.
"We want to help people better understand the role of psychological support in treatment and recovery," he said, emphasising the need for continued care and understanding.
He also highlighted the role of families in encouraging early intervention and reducing stigma. “We want a family member to approach a difficult conversation with greater understanding,” he added.
Alketbi said NRC’s World Mental Health Day campaign addressed misconceptions about mental health and addiction, encouraged public engagement and guided families on seeking professional support.
He noted that stigma and uncertainty often prevented people from seeking help.
"Our awareness work needs to address those concerns in a way that feels approachable and useful," he said. He encouraged families to recognise changes in emotional wellbeing and behaviour, communicate openly and seek professional guidance.
"Families can help by noticing changes, starting a calm conversation and encouraging support without attempting to diagnose the person themselves." He added that NRC continued to promote early intervention, privacy and respectful care, with guidance available through its toll-free number, 8002252.
On NRC’s plans for the Year of the Family, Alketbi stressed the importance of supporting families throughout treatment and recovery. "Families want to help, but often need guidance on how to do so. Their own wellbeing matters too, because supporting a loved one can be emotionally demanding."
He highlighted NRC’s “Supportive Family… Safe Community” campaign, launched earlier this year across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra, to promote family involvement, early intervention and stigma-free treatment.
"Our priorities include strengthening outreach with families, schools and community partners, alongside developing clinical expertise, workforce capabilities, research and innovation," he added.
Dr Samya Mohammed Al Mamari Director of Medical Services at the NRC, highlighted the challenges families face in supporting recovery. "For families, the challenge is often knowing what to do with their concern," she said.
She explained that NRC’s campaign promoted non-judgemental listening, continued professional care and understanding of emotional challenges. "Recovery involves addressing the emotions, pressures, and triggers that can make it difficult for someone to move forward."
She also stressed that relapse should prompt a review of treatment rather than abandonment of recovery efforts. "A relapse should not be interpreted as proof that treatment has failed completely."
The campaign also allowed families to submit anonymous questions to NRC specialists for guidance.
Dr Al Mamari highlighted the importance of family involvement, citing a 16-week study of 141 adults with opioid use disorder. It found that family engagement was associated with approximately three times higher odds of remaining in treatment, although it did not guarantee long-term recovery.
"The evidence supports integrating family involvement into treatment in a structured way," she said, highlighting NRC’s family education, psychological treatment and relapse prevention programmes.
She also stressed the importance of understanding individual needs and providing non-judgemental support. "The quality of that support matters," she added, emphasising the role of families in encouraging continued professional care.