Port Louis, Mar 05, 2010 (L'Express/All Africa Global Media via COMTEX) -- This is the time of year when women's concerns come to the forefront, on and around International Women's Day which falls on Monday 8th March. To mark the occasion, today we look into the problem of alcoholism among women, how it affects their lives and their families and the quite remarkable facilities for their rehabilitation which exist at Etoile d'Esperance.

Although there is space for 14 in the beautifully decorated bedrooms, at the moment there are only six women at the centre. When I visit they are sitting in the veranda, looking very comfortable, chatting and listening to music.

Babette, the most talkative of the group explains that once you are in the trap of alcohol abuse, you can't get out of it without help. She was brought here by her sister and is full of praise for the centre: "Our days and weeks are completely taken up - we don't have time to think about drinking! There are plenty of activities. We eat well, go to bed early and sleep well. There is always someone to talk to or to offer us advice if we need it. And we play a part in the organization too, for example we plan the menus for the week and look after the cooking".

Fanny was brought in by a social worker. She describes how, after months without alcohol, one single drink at a party was enough to set her off. "Then the next day you have to go looking for a bottle and you can't stop." After drinking solidly for one week, Fanny would feel ill for months. Her health was deteriorating but now, after just a short time at the centre she is feeling much better.

Devina says that many women turn to alcohol because marital problems or a violent husband poison their family life. "What is so good about this place is the atmosphere. We are like one family and at mealtimes we are at table with the staff. When one of the women leaves, the others cry because they know they are going to miss her." All these women are extremely optimistic about their chances of overcoming their addiction. They are all aware of the extra dangers alcohol holds for women. They will spend fourteen weeks here and will visit regularly when they return home. A year of abstinence will earn them a medal. How many of them will succeed is not sure but what is sure is that they all have great expectations and a great example to follow -that of Linda Busgeet. We choose to concentrate on her success story.

Linda is an "ex" who is now employed full time at the centre. Proud of her seven years of abstinence she admits that conquering addiction is a "lifelong combat"-an ex-addict will never be able to drink "reasonably." Addiction happens gradually, she says, not overnight, and in her own case caused aggressive and even violent behaviour. Through her voluntary work with other addicts she discovered talents she never knew she had, and is now in charge of the handicraft workshop at Etoile d'Esperance. In addition she helps with group therapy as well as looking after the housekeeping. A mother of three and a very young grandmother, Linda is happy in her marriage as it has now recovered from the difficulties which plagued it during her years of addiction. A real success story.

The centre

Etoile d'Esperance, just off a busy road in Moka, is a haven of tranquility in a charming colonial- style wooden house surrounded by spacious gardens. A joy to be in on a hot summer's morning...This residential centre for women alcohol addicts opened in 2006.Gilbert Leste, trained in Italy in the care of drug and alcohol addicts, is in charge. Apart from him, all the employees are women, and include a part-time psychologist.

"The gate is always open," he says, "and there are no constraints -the women stay of their own accord." They come from all communities and all have in common some problem which led them down the route to addiction. "But each case is unique," Gilbert adds. He points out that alcoholism among women is a taboo subject in all social strata but that some hide it more successfully than others...And that men who drink heavily are more likely to be able to continue working whereas women stay at home, falling deeper and deeper into addiction until they develop serious health problems. Children are neglected and not sent to school. "It is often a situation like this which triggers the decision to seek help."

At the centre everything is geared to helping the women recover a sense of their own worth. Talks and group discussions enable them to explore and understand their problems. They are initiated into the art of facials and manicures []]"These women must be beautiful when they leave us," says Gilbert.] Literacy is taught, as well as yoga and tai-chi. Each woman must choose three visitors, which gives her a sense of control and keeps her in touch with her family. Gilbert Leste stresses the importance of the family in a woman's chances of recovery. "If she is to go back to the same problematic situation as she had to face before, then there is no hope at all of recovery, he says quite categorically.

Asked what sort of success rate the centre expects, he quotes three out of ten. "Four others will stay in contact, while three will disappear for good and probably start drinking again. We have successes but also huge failures. But every woman gains something from her stay here in that she learns to reflect on her life and her problems." Gilbert Leste is a man dedicated to his chosen cause, a man who evidently has women on his mind, but not in the usual way!