It’s not okay to try Drugs even once!
Drug addiction is serious and the rising incidence of toffees laced with addictive substance and illegal narcotics available easily around schools and colleges everywhere is cause for grave concern. A recent murder accused in West Bengal was allegedly just back from a four-month stint at a drug rehab center.
Genetics of Addiction
When I was a young girl, I read an article in Readers digest. It talked about the genetics of addiction. Apparently addiction has a strong genetic predisposition. This doesn’t mean every smoker will have a smoker as a son or daughter.
But that the chance of getting addicted to habit-forming substances is higher. Addictions are serious and common psychiatric problems which are also preventable causes of disability and death.
This role of genetics and environment, have a causative as well as a potential treatment option.
This also means, it’s best not to challenge fate and try your hand at a whiff of hookah which has tobacco unfiltered or smoke cigarettes, because so and so did or start drinking alcohol o just because you can.! Because believe it or not your brain is getting used to the chemical shots they get when temporary addictions occur. The harm done is long term and often irreversible.
Opioid Problem
The opioid problem in America and all over the world is unfolding at an alarming rate. Incidentally, J and J have been fined a whopping 570 million by an Oklahoma court for irresponsible behavior with regard to opioids. This prescription drugs whose efficacy was overemphasized and harmful effects not clarified.
People addicted and their families will need long term help. The worst thing that can happen to a productive society is drug addiction. You are a prisoner of your own addiction and life is as meaningful as the next dose.
According to this United Nations Office on drugs and crime report, no country is free of this problem. Our borders and each nation’s future faces a threat from drug trafficking, human trafficking, organized crimes, and terrorism. The link is unmistakable.
When it comes to recreational drug use, its best to strictly steer clear. If a friend does it , talk to your teacher tell your parents they will know what to do
The brain changes it’s neurochemistry and becomes older ., The drugs which speed you up also speed up your aging. They make dementia and age-related diseases more likely if not death from overdosing
Medical Drugs have a purpose and recreational use is not one of them,
Hepatitis C and HIV are common in drug abusers.
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Drugs of abuse
This article in Pubmed mentioned that every third person in Punjab was found to be addicted to a nontobacco, nonalcohol substance. There was also a strikingly high prevalence of heroin abuse and IV drug abuse.
Rapid situation assessments (RSA) help in identifying patterns of substance use. This RSA by the UNODC in 2002 of 4648 drug users showed cannabis (40%), alcohol (33%) and opioids (15%) being major substances used.
This RSRA of 5800 male drug users[32] found that opioid users injected buprenorphine, heroin, propoxyphene. It was also found that most drug abusers also abused alcohol (80%).
The World Drug Report,[33] of 81,802 treatment seekers in India in 2004-2005, 61.3% reported use of opioids, 15.5% cannabis, 4.1% sedatives, 1.5% cocaine, 0.2% amphetamines and 0.9% solvents.
World Drug Report 2019
Opioids are cause the most harm. They cause two-thirds of drug abuse-related deaths. People injecting drugs(11 million worldwide in 2017) are having the highest health risks. Greater than 50% of this group, are infected with Hepatitis C.One in eight have HIV. Half of the deaths due to drug abuse were related to untreated Hepatitis C.
In North America, the non-medical use of pharmaceutical opioids is still epidemic .rapid increase has occurred in overdose-related deaths. Data points towards synthetic opioid usage. Illicitly manufactured fentanyl continues to be a menace to public health and social wellbeing.
Methamphetamine use is causing rising concerns across several regions.
Conclusion
Get help. Deaddiction centers are unfortunately not very reputable in many instances It’s best if you first consult a psychiatrist or visit your nearest Government Hospital, about substance abuse problem and get de-addicted the right way.
If you think the drug problem is nowhere near you and is going away if you ignore it, you may be shocked. Stay aware and help fight this drug problem.
Working out, creative hobbies are good ways to avoid peer pressure related to substance overuse. If a friend refuses to be a friend because you won’t try something is better unfriended. Delinquency and substance abuse in peer groups is a problem,if not checked early. They can be very manipulative and criminal activities are common.
The brain centers associated with ethical behavior and choosing between right and wrong are already compromised. Addicts often turn to drug trafficking and selling, to have enough money to afford their own stuff. So don’t expect them to listen to logic or good sense.
An addict needs professional help and social support. But the first one first, because these substances can make their behavior erratic and often self-harm or harm to others is highly possible. A lifelong support system and keeping a watch for relapse is high;y recommended.
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Such a serious problem in the world today. With grandchildren and great grandchildren, this is one of my worse fears.
Yes its a very serious issue.
One of the reasons I started my website is because a mom like figure in my life died due to a drug overdose. I grew up in a home with drugs and luckily that kept me away from them. Unfortunately, for one of my siblings it did not and they strayed down that dark path. Now both my mom and brother are clean and doing well.
While my mom was in a drug rehab, I was able to visit her often. I met so many people who were held captive by addiction and didn’t know how to let go of drugs, often relapsing. Seeing the withdraws and how it affected some were heartbreaking. Drugs are an ever growing concern. Many people try to escape from something, some try to look cool in front of friends and get hooked, some just like the feeling, there are countless reasons. However, it is never a good idea to try drugs for any reason. These numbers are heartbreaking 🙁
Crystal it takes a very strong person to even talk about something like this.Stay strong and keeping spreading your message.You are helping many people I am sure.
I can’t say (given your definition) that I’ve never tried drugs. And, while I do have an alcoholic (drug abusers, too) in my family, that’s not my situation. But, I’ve always avoided the “drugs of choice”- but not alcohol.
The situation is definitely complicated and not easy to get around . Thanks for sharing your opinion.
Hi, Dr. Amrita. This story about drugs is so sad. I started watching a Netflix Series titled ‘Dope’, a documentary about drug abuse in different parts of US. I haven’t finished the series because it is very difficult to bear. It breaks my heart to see that young people are dying from abuse. One of the series was about methamphetamine laced with fentanyl making it more potent and dangerous. There were streets and blocks where addicts roam and they are not safe.
I think it is important to assess everything from the exposure of, to experimentation to the use of drugs. It’s not simply because people wanted to do this. There has to be the root cause why they’re doing it and stringent actions are truly needed in mitigating the situation.
It’s not always easy to say no in the face of peer pressure. As a society, we definitely need to look into the social and mental health aspect which makes people prone susceptible to abuse. You are right about more action being needed in this.