Article

DRUG ABUSE IN INDIA

Drug abuse means excessive intake of drugs at one time. Repeated use of the drug develops drug addiction which is harmful outcomes. It is a problem that directly affects the structure and functioning of the brain, causing serious damage to it. There is a big issue of drug abuse in India, government takes all initiatives for prevention of drug abuse in India.

DRUG ABUSE IN INDIA

Drugs, intoxicating pills are being sold secretly in schools and colleges, destroying the future of youth. After consuming these drugs, it becomes addictive soon. After that people do not leave it even after wishing.

COMMON DRUGS AND NARCOTICS

Drug abuse has become a major challenge in today’s time. A large section of the youth has been hit by it. People are spoiling their lives by consuming drugs like cocaine (hashish, hashish), heroin, opium, ganja (marijuana), alcohol, whiskey, rum, beer, brown sugar, hashish, cannabis.

These substances cause intoxication for some time in which the person has a pleasant feeling, but as soon as the addiction ends the person wants to take him again. Within a few days he becomes drug abuse to these substances.

Some Major Drugs

  • Cocaine (hashish), heroin, opium, ganja (marijuana), alcohol, whiskey, rum, beer, brown sugar, cannabis
  • Written by doctor- sleeping pills, stress, anxiety, depression reducing pills
  • Consumption of corex like cough syrup
  • Tobacco products like bidi, cigarette, gutkha, khaini, zarda, pan masala
  • Volatile solvents such as Nail Polish Remover, Petrol, Paint

TYPES OF DRUGS

Drugs are broadly classified into three types. These are depressive, aggravating and hallucinations. Here’s an effect on the human brain and body, a look at each of them:

1. Depressants

Depressants include cannabis, opiates, benzodiazepines, and alcohol. They are known to slow the speed of messages going to and from the brain and thus reduce the ability to handle a situation. When taken in small amounts, depression can make a person feel relaxed. However, when taken in large amounts, they can cause nausea, vomiting and fainting.

2. Stimulants

Stimulants, on the other hand, speed up messages going to and from the brain. They have the power to immediately boost a person’s confidence level. On the downside, they can cause high blood pressure, increase heart rate and cause restlessness, agitation and insomnia. Frequent use of such drugs leads to panic attacks, anxiety and paranoia. Stimulants include nicotine, caffeine, cocaine, and amphetamine.

3. Hallucinogen

Hallucinogen contains mescaline and psilocybin. These drugs cause hallucinations and distort the reality of a person. When taken continuously, these drugs can cause high blood pressure, nausea, paranoia and numbness.

REASONS FOR TAKING DRUGS

  1. People from both the young and middle class consume it to get pleasure. Consumption of this keeps the body strong for some time, increases morale and confidence. People find its use useful drug abuse in India.
  2. In today’s expensive lifestyle, both parents have started doing jobs to earn money. They are unable to take care of the children. Most parents leave the house in the morning and return home at night. They give more and more money to the children for pocket money, so that they start consuming drugs. Many times children start consuming drugs to overcome their loneliness. They go astray due to not getting the right kind of guidance.
  3. Children first start taking drugs under the influence of their friends. They take it in hobbies but soon become addicted to it. Many children have started thinking of it as fashion. This problem is more common among rich children. These drugs are very expensive, but the children of rich households buy them easily.
  4. Some people start taking narcotics to flee their sorrows, problems and life problems.
  5. Some people consume it to avoid boredom, insomnia, anger.

EFFECTS ON HUMAN OF DRUG ABUSE

A person’s health becomes extremely weak due to regular doses of medicines. Such a person often loses touch with reality and becomes confused. Due to weak immune system, he can catch infection very fast. Following effects on human body on drug abuse in India.

1. Effect of Intoxication on Physical Health

Drug addiction can affect a person’s physical health. It irritates various parts of the body including the brain, throat, lungs, stomach, pancreas, liver, heart and nervous system. It can cause health problems like nausea, heart problem, damaged liver, stroke, lung disease, weight loss and even cancer.

There is a high risk of contracting AIDS by drug addicts. This is because they usually share needles to inject drugs. Driving under the influence of drugs or walking on the road can be risky. An accident is more likely to happen to such a person become drug abuse in India.

2. Effect of Drug Addiction on Mental Health

Drugs have a serious effect on a person’s brain. Drugs impede decision making and affect a person’s psychosocial skills. They can cause mental health issues such as depression, Alzheimer’s, insomnia, bipolar disorder, anxiety, conduct problems and psychosocial dysfunction. Drug users have suicidal thoughts and often attempt suicide.

3. Effect of Drug Addiction on Unborn Babies

Drug addiction can put unborn children at high risk. Pregnant women addicted to alcohol can harm the fetus. Unborn babies are more likely to develop birth defects and abnormal mental and physical abnormalities. Intoxication can also lead to premature birth. Some children also exhibit behavioral issues later in life. Getting rid of drug addiction is highly recommended before planning a child.

WAYS TO OVERCOME DRUG ABUSE

Here are some ways to overcome drug abuse in India.

1. List Reasons For Leaving

Addict person decide to quit drug abuse, make a list of the problems caused for addiction. This can include problems on the work front, problems with your spouse, children and parents, physical and mental health issues and more. Read this list everyday as you begin your journey to quit this dangerous habit. This will prompt you to leave drug abuse in India.

2. Enroll In A Rehabilitation Center

Rehabilitation center become one of the important steps to overcome drug abuse in India. Good rehabilitation centers have qualified and experienced professionals who know how to deal with addicts and help them get rid of drug addiction. Meeting other drug addictions and seeing how hard they are trying to quit this addiction to regain normal life can also be encouraging.

3. Seek help from friends and family

Love and support from your near and dear ones can play an important role when it comes to getting rid of drug addiction. This can help determine addiction and may prompt you to give up this disgusting habit. Therefore, do not hesitate to discuss this problem with them. They will be more than willing to help you get rid of addiction.

COMMON BEHAVIORAL ISSUES FACED BY DRUG ABUSE

Intoxication falters with a person’s brain function. It interferes with the way a person behaves and the kind of choices they make.

1. Aggression

A person who is under the influence of drugs can be highly aggressive. Drug addicts often get angry over trivial matters. This behavior is not seen only when they are experiencing a high. The frequent use of drugs somehow communicates aggression in their personality. It is difficult to get along with drug abuse in India. You need to be extremely vigilant around them as they can throw off frequent bouts of anger and aggression.

2. Poor Judgment

Drug addicted person do not think better life to their families or their career and not ability to think rationally. Drug users are unable to make appropriate decisions. Their decision is impaired. They cannot understand the  difference between right and wrong.

3. Impulse

Drug users also display impulsive behavior. They act and react without much thought. This behavior is usually displayed when they are feeling high. However, they may also exhibit impulsive behavior when they return to their normal state. Drug addicts mostly take decisions that they later regret.

4. Loss of Self Control

Drug addiction dominates the minds of addicts and they lose self control. They have a strong craving for drugs and are difficult to resist even if they want to. They also cannot control their reaction to things. Drugs dominate their decisions, actions, reactions and behavior.

5. Low Performance in Work

A person who is addicted to narcotics experiences a decline in performance at work / school. He is unable to concentrate on his work and constantly thinks about taking drugs. When he does not get his supplies he feels lethargic and low on energy. All this is a major obstacle to work drug abuse in India.

6. A Myth

It has been noted that people under the influence of drugs often have hallucinations. They see things and hear noises that don’t really exist. Medications specifically known for hallucinations include salvia, mescalin, LSD, psilocybin mushrooms, and ketamine.

7. Venereal Disease

Hide of drug addiction from family and friends drug addicts often leads to latent diseases. An Alcohal Addicted person cuts of their family, friends, society and parents. They avoid talking with their relatives. They often socialize with other drug addicts and stop going out with other friends. This often makes them socially awkward.

REMEDY TO OVERCOME DRUG ADDICTION

Drugs can be difficult to control. However, this is not impossible. With the help of medicine, expert guidance and the support of family and friends, anyone can overcome this problem. To help you overcome substance abuse, it is discussed below.

1. Consult A Doctor

To get rid of drug addiction is much more than a strong will power. If you have resolved to get out of the dark world of drugs, then it is suggested to consult a doctor as soon as possible.

2. Proper Exercise and Yoga

Lowering the dose of the drug can increase the level of stress. You can overcome this to a great extent by including physical activities such as jogging, cycling, swimming, dancing and yoga among others.

3. Eat Healthy Food

Regular physical intake of medicines improves your physical health. Thus it is advisable to have food that contains all the necessary nutrients.

4. Talk To People/ Be A Social Person

Instead of keeping their feelings on themselves, it is suggested to take them out. Talk to your family and friends about your issues. This is a good way to relieve stress rather than relying on drugs.

For those who are fully addicted to drugs, continuous treatment is the only option. Treatment for drug abusers usually depends on the nature of the drug the person is using. It is said that generally it can be best treated by paying attention to events related to the person’s life. This includes problems with physicians, psychologists and work-related needs as well as relationships with other people in a person’s life.

About the author

Dasharath Maurya