Tamil Nadu Notifies New Mental Healthcare Standards for De-addiction Centres

About the New Regulations

Tamil Nadu Notifies New Mental Healthcare Standards for De-addiction Centres : The Tamil Nadu government has notified the State Mental Healthcare Minimum Standards for De-addiction Centres Regulations 2025, marking a significant step toward standardising mental healthcare services for substance abuse patients. These regulations have been framed under the Mental Health Care Act, 2017, with a focus on improving treatment quality and infrastructure across the state’s rehabilitation ecosystem.

Classification of De-addiction Centres

The regulations introduce two distinct categories of centres—Comprehensive De-addiction Centres (CDC) and Rehabilitation Centres (RC)—based on the scope of services they offer. While CDCs are permitted to conduct both detoxification and long-term rehabilitation, RCs will provide psychosocial interventions after detoxification has been completed at another facility.

Service Protocol and Functional Roles

Comprehensive De-addiction Centres are expected to deliver inpatient medical care, including detox procedures and therapeutic services, whereas Rehabilitation Centres focus solely on non-clinical support such as counselling and behavioural therapies. This division ensures that patients receive proper care based on their stage in the recovery process, streamlining service delivery.

Mandatory Registration Requirements

All de-addiction centres operating under these classifications must register with the State Mental Health Authority, ensuring regulatory compliance and legal oversight. This requirement is designed to bring accountability and quality assurance into Tamil Nadu’s growing network of facilities that cater to individuals with substance use disorders.

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Tamil Nadu Notifies New Mental Healthcare Standards for De-addiction Centres :