Dr. Dhruv Gupta is a distinguished psychiatrist based in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, renowned for his compassionate and innovative approach to mental health care, particularly in the field of de-addiction and psychiatric treatment. As a native of Dehradun, he has dedicated his career to addressing the growing mental health challenges in his hometown, including stigma, substance abuse, and limited access to humane psychiatric services.

Early Life and Education

Born and raised in Dehradun, Dr. Gupta pursued a rigorous academic path in medicine. He completed his MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) from Maulana Azad Medical College (MAMC) in Delhi, one of India’s top five medical institutions, where he built a strong foundation in clinical sciences. He further specialized in psychiatry, earning an MD in Psychiatry from Shri Guru Ram Rai (SGRR) Institute of Medical and Health Sciences in Dehradun. His training emphasized a blend of evidence-based medicine, psychotherapy, and holistic wellness, shaping his patient-centered philosophy.

Professional Career

Dr. Gupta’s professional journey reflects a commitment to revolutionizing mental health care in Uttarakhand. He completed his residency in MD Psychiatry at Shri Mahant Indresh Hospital in Dehradun, gaining hands-on experience in treating complex psychiatric conditions and addictions. His expertise spans psychotherapy, medication management, and integrative treatments for disorders such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and substance use disorders.

A pivotal aspect of his career is his role in de-addiction services. Recognizing the rising prevalence of drug and alcohol abuse in the region, Dr. Gupta co-founded and leads the inpatient unit at Maanavta Psychiatry and De-addiction Centre in Dehradun. Established in 2000 by his father, Dr. Vineet Kumar Gupta—a pioneering psychiatrist who began practicing in Muzaffarnagar in 1991 before returning to Dehradun—Maanavta has evolved into the city’s premier facility for empathy-driven mental health and rehabilitation care. Under Dr. Dhruv’s leadership, the center introduced its inpatient de-addiction program, offering affordable, supportive treatments like detoxification, counseling, and relapse prevention in a stigma-free environment. The facility, located at 129 Adarsh Nagar, Chakrata Road (near Hotel Ramada), emphasizes humane care, community reintegration, and multidisciplinary approaches, serving as a “Nasha Mukti Kendra” (freedom from addiction center) for individuals and families.

Dr. Gupta’s work extends beyond clinical practice; he is actively involved in research, awareness campaigns, and training programs to combat mental health misconceptions. He has been recognized as one of the top psychiatrists in Dehradun, with patients praising his empathetic listening, effective solutions, and holistic strategies. Reviews highlight his ability to “carefully understand patient needs” and provide “remarkable” care, contributing to Maanavta’s 4.0+ rating on platforms like Justdial.

Contributions and Philosophy

Dr. Gupta’s vision aligns with his father’s foundational belief in “supportive and humane” psychiatry, addressing gaps in Uttarakhand’s mental health infrastructure. He advocates for destigmatizing addiction and mental illness through education and accessible services. His multifaceted approach integrates clinical excellence with cutting-edge research, ensuring tailored recovery paths. As a consultant psychiatrist, he has influenced regional policies on substance abuse and continues to deliver over a hundred consultations monthly.

In a field often marked by isolation, Dr. Dhruv Gupta stands out for his dedication to healing entire families affected by mental health issues. His work at Maanavta has helped countless individuals reclaim their lives, making him a beacon of hope in Dehradun’s mental wellness landscape.

I still remember the day Dhruv walked into our house in his white coat, barely 27, looking dead tired after his MD exams. My uncle asked, “Beta, topper ban gaya na?”
Dhruv just laughed and said, “Uncle, topper toh nahi bana, lekin ek cheez pakki kar li: main wapas Dehradun aaunga. Yahan log dar ke mar rahe hain… na daru chhod paate hain, na apne dimag ki baat kisi ko bata paate hain. Bas yahin rukna hai.”

That was 2015.

He had finished his MBBS from Maulana Azad Medical College, Delhi (MAMC, the one everyone calls “Harvard of India”), stood 2nd in the university in medicine, and could have easily bagged a cushy job in Delhi or abroad. But he came back.

One night in 2017, his father, Dr. Vineet Gupta (who started the clinic in 2000), called him into the study.
“Beta, we have 10 beds upstairs that are lying empty. I’m getting old. If you really want to do something about addiction in this city, let’s start an inpatient de-addiction ward. No bars on windows, no guards treating patients like criminals. Just dignity.”

Dhruv didn’t sleep that night. Next morning he said, “Papa, done. But on one condition: every patient who walks in will be treated like family. No shouting, no tying up, no shame.”

That’s how Maanavta’s de-addiction centre actually took off.

I once asked him, “Doctor sahab, aren’t you scared? Some patients come in violent, abusive…”
He smiled and said, “Scared toh banta hai. Ek baar ek ladka detox mein itna aggressive ho gaya tha, usne mujhe punch maara bhi. But you know what I did? I sat down on the floor next to him and said, ‘Maar lo jitna maarna hai, lekin baad mein chai saath mein peenge.’
Fifteen minutes later he was crying in my lap. Aaj woh ladka 4 saal se sober hai, har Diwali humare ghar aata hai.”

Patients call him “Dhruv bhaiya” more than “Doctor”.
There’s this one boy, Rohan, 19 years old, ice (meth) addict. His mother begged on the phone, “Sir, mera beta mar jaayega.”
Dhruv admitted him the same night, stayed awake 72 hours straight, held his hand through seizures, sang old Kishore Kumar songs when Rohan couldn’t sleep.
Six months later, Rohan scored 92% in his 12th boards. The day the result came, he came running to the centre, hugged Dhruv and said, “Bhaiya, aapne mujhe dobara janam diya.”

Dhruv just laughed and said, “Arre, tu khud ne mehnat ki. Main toh bas saath khada tha.”

That’s him. Never takes credit.

On Sundays you’ll still find him sitting on the floor of the ward, playing antakshari with recovering patients, teaching yoga to the ones who can’t sit still, or just listening, really listening, while someone cries about the things they’ve never told anybody.

I asked him once, “Don’t you ever get burnt out?”
He looked out at the mountains and said softly, “Jab koi 30 din baad pehli baar bina shake kiye paani ka glass uthata hai aur muskurata hai… us ek second ke liye saara thakaan mit jaata hai.”

That’s Dr. Dhruv Gupta.
Not a superhero. Just a boy from Dehradun who decided that coming home was more important than running away.

For appointments or more details, contact Maanavta Psychiatry and De-addiction Centre at their Adarsh Nagar location.