'Nothing better to do?'

My Grandmother passed away on 1st April 2014.

I would like to share her views about my job as an 'addiction counsellor'. 

I got selected as an addiction counsellor in a well known Drug de-addiction centre. I was single & just 25yrs old.  I was excited and happy. I called up my grand mum & shared my happiness as usual.

She was curious about the job profile. I started explaining to her that I am going to counsel people with substance abuse.

She took a long pause and replied, ‘hummm, nothing better to do?’ she further added, ‘You are an intelligent, kind & sensitive person, I have a concern why are you wasting your talent for drunkards? Waste fellows they never bother about their parents & family, why will they bother you? & counselling?’

She was afraid & anxious about the violence, abusive language, suspiciousness which my patients going to exhibit. She was explaining every black part of alcoholic’s life.

She was sharing many addicts she came across & moreover she was worried how can single & just 25 yrs old women will be able to handle the nastiest male population. She was extremely unhappy about my decision to join this job.

Her views about addicts are like any other lay man. I learnt & decided to spread the real picture about the disease, treatment & recovery.

Two months later, I requested her to come to my rehabilitation centre, she spoke with my HR head, Admin head, & many other people in the office. I asked her, how do you find them? She was happy & appreciating the hospitality & humbleness of everyone.

Then I revealed Most of them are on the path of recovery. They are ex-addicts. She was astonished. She said, ‘You are doing a great job, God bless you n people in recovery. You & your team is giving life to many needy families’ She hugged me, she was feeling pride about my work. Then onward she was one of the strongest support systems for me.

Till today whenever people enquired about my job profile; before replying anything  I immediately remember my grandmother’s dialogue, 

‘Nothing better to do???????’