Drug addiction has the potential to ruin a person’s complete life. Also, not only the addicted person, the life of people who surround him, especially his family and friends is affected too. Mahatma Gandhi was always ahead in making people aware of the severely ill effects of drug addiction and that is why, every year on his birth anniversary, on 2nd October, National Anti-Drug Addiction Day is observed.
What Are The Effects?
According to the National Health Portal (NHP) of India, the following are the effects of drug addiction:
- Health problems
- Memory disorders
- Difficulty in balancing and walking
- Anxiety, depression and sleep disturbances
- Sudden weight loss or weight gain.
- Liver disease, epilepsy and increased risk of cancer
- Low blood sugar, high blood pressure and cholesterol level
- Heart disease
- Decreased immunity
- Interference with reproductive fertility
Behavioral and Psychological Changes
- Drop-in performance at workplace
- Loss of interest and suspicious behaviors
- Violent attitude
- Change in personality
Social effects
Drug addicts face problems in their social as well as personal lives. They are likely to engage in anti-social activities.
How To Get Rid Of Drug Addiction?
It is very difficult to give up drugs like cigarettes, tobacco, alcohol or drugs, but if the willpower of the victim is strong and his/her family supports him, then giving up on drugs can be easy. It is important to plan out and quit drug consumption step by step and not at once. If it is not planned properly, the person may be likely to start taking drugs again.
- Have A Plan
To give up addiction and to avoid its recurrence, rehabilitation, along with medical treatment is very important. Because even after giving up the drug, the changes in our brain affect the body, mind and habits for a long time. In such a situation, the physical and mental health of the victim can be affected in the absence of rehabilitation. Therefore, complete planning is necessary for this process. - Detoxification
The first practice adopted in the process is detoxification. Here, with the help of medicines, an attempt is made to remove the harmful elements in the body, which are present due to intoxication. Simultaneously, through treatment, efforts are made to suppress and eliminate the symptoms of intoxication and withdrawal in the victim. - Counseling And Behavioral Therapy
Counseling is very important for drug addicts. It is a way to help strengthen the will of a person to quit drugs as well as help him to understand the changes taking place in his body and behave accordingly during the rehabilitation period. As self-confidence and morale drop drastically in people trying to get rid of the habit of addiction, counseling and behavioral therapy help them to improve their mental health as well as help them become a part of society again.
Usually, this therapy is given in different ways, which include therapy on an individual, group or family level as per the need. Although it is a long process, as the condition of the victim starts getting better, the number of sessions are reduced. In such a situation, cognitive behavioral therapy, multidimensional family therapy and motivational interviewing therapy are usually practiced.
Many organizations are working at the government and non-government level in our country for drug de-addiction. There is a system of treatment and rehabilitation for anti-drug addiction in many hospitals in our country. Especially if we talk about tobacco, some websites are operated by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, where any person who wants to quit tobacco can get himself registered. Tobacco users can give a missed call on 011-22901701 for registration and can also e-register themselves by filling their mobile number and e-mail ID through http://www.nhp.gov.in/quit-tobacco
Also Read: Frustration Could Lead To Drug Addiction
