Once an addict, now a teetotaller

16 December 2009

He was one of the most popular actors and singers of the bustling Bhutanese film industry. His movies were well received and his songs appreciated.

His career was at the apex. But one flaw, his addiction to alcohol, nearly put an end to all his talents.

A recovering alcoholic now, 33-year-old Kinzang Dorji, has become clean after completing a three-month recovery programme at the Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre for Drugs and Alcohol Dependents in Serbithang, Thimphu. He was released from the centre on November 28.

“I am recovering now, and I am proud of myself,” said the actor, who had been addicted to alcohol for 15 years. He said the programmes at the centre were all useful and helpful. “Addiction is a disease, and we are just sick people,” he said.

O riginally from Trashigang, Kinzang is settled in Thimphu. He went to school in Thimphu. After completing high school, he worked for a private company.

S ince his school days, he has been interested in singing and composing songs, but he never thought he would become a part of the movie industry.

He sang his first song, La Dochula, in 1994 and made his acting debut in the film, Rangdrol and Yangdon, in 1997. He said he got a ‘golden chance’ when he had gone to record a song in Norling recording studio.

“I was already familiar with cameras because before I acted in films I had worked on some documentaries and MTVs with Director Ata Palden,” he said.

A fter his first film was released, he started getting a shower of offers from different producers. Since then, there was no looking back. He has acted in 15 films and has sung about 30 songs. Talking about his addiction to alcohol, Kinzang, who is also known as Abdul, said he did not know how and when he started drinking. “When I realized that I was drinking heavily, I was already addicted,” he said.

He tried to quit drinking by making promises to his family members and by taking oaths in the monasteries, but his habit relapsed. He said he drank alone at home, and his addiction grew stronger. His neighbours checked on him to see if he was alive because he never came out of the house once he started drinking.

O nce there was a rumour of his death. “I also heard I was dead,” he said with a smile. He said the rumour spread when he was hospitalised due to some leg problem. “People thought I had died because of drinking,” he said.

From the hospital, he was taken to the rehabilitation centre by Lama Shenphen Zangpo. “God comes in many forms, and in my case, he came in the form of Lama Shenphen,” he said.

A fter his stay at the centre, Kinzang realized that he had wasted his life drinking, but it was not late to mend things. His family was always supportive and helped him overcome his addiction. “They have always been with me, and it is because of them that I am alive today,” he said.

“I troubled my wife the most but she was always helpful. She did a lot for me, and someday I hope we can get together again,” said Kinzang, who has separated from his wife.

He was happy that friends and fans did not forget him and came to meet him when he was at the rehabilitation centre. “The centre is the place where I was able to change and I will never forget the place,” he said.

He considers what he learned at the centre as the weapons to fight the battle in the world outside the centre. He is currently helping alcohol and drug users. “I want to help them better themselves and come to the right track,” he sounded confident.

He is learning yoga and teaching others too. He goes for follow-up and to attend additional programmes once a week at the centre. He plans to make a comeback into the film industry.