August 18: People with alcohol addiction come together two or three times a week at the Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital to share their problems and help each other.

Beginning from Saturday they were also given meditation classes.

The people are from different walks of life but they have one thing in common, alcohol addiction. Some have stayed dry for months after being treated at rehabilitation centres in India while others are trying to withdraw from alcohol addiction.

The meeting they say has provided a forum to discuss and share their experiences. This they say is of great help.

They meet twice or thrice a week but on Saturday it was different. Apart from sharing their problems and experiences in the meeting they also learned meditation.

Phuntsho Rabten a member of the Deer Park in Thimphu talked about the benefits of meditation. Deer Park Thimphu is a centre for Art and Contemplation established under the auspices of Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche. He said it is the state of mind which controls individuals and their behavior. This he said is beneficial for the addicts.

The meeting is chaired by volunteers who have been alcohol addicts but have recovered. Professional support is also given by psychiatrists at the hospital.