“What is addiction, really? It is a sign, a
signal, a symptom of distress.
It is a language that tells us about a plight
that must be understood.” Alice Miller.
I am reposting this again as it’s a burning
issue currently in our city - Hyderabad. Every day the newspaper is carrying
information on various aspects on how young school children are becoming
victims of drug use, drug peddling in the city, police arresting and interrogations
of those who are in possessions etc.
I have also come across cases where
parents are struggling to deal with their teenagers, and in the community
alcohol and violence has become a common factor for disrupting families.
I
have always wanted to write a post on substance abuse; as the most vulnerable are the youngsters who begin to experiment
very early in their lives and gradually become addicted and dependent on the
substance.
This is my response to those who are struggling with the issue of
substance to let you know that there is a way out; and there are lot of
individuals/Institutions and organizations that are with you in the recovery
process.
So if you think you are alone in this world – read till the end of
my post; I have given you details where you can find help.
Understanding Substance abuse
Substance
abuse refers to the harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances,
including alcohol and illicit drugs. Alcohol can include beer, wine, spirits (eg. Vodka, gin, whisky, brandy,
rum, grappa etc.) Liquors and fortified wines (ex. Port
Tobacco includes cigarettes, cigars, pipes and
smokeless tobacco includes chewing tobacco and snus. A street
Cannabis includes outdoor (bush) or indoor
(hydroponic) grown, hash and hashish oil.
Street terms include bhang, charas, ghanja marijuana, dope, weed, skunk,
pot, hooch, mull, grass, puff and maryjane.
Alcohol, Nicotine & cannabis are very common and
mostly used by all age groups, and also types of persons be it rich, middle
class or even the poor.
Any
substance when taken by a person modifies perception, mood, cognition,
behaviour or motor functions. This definition includes legal and illegal
substances that can lead to dependence.
“When
the past calls, let it go to voicemail. Believe me; it has nothing new to say”
Unknown
Research
has shown that people generally take drugs to either feel good (sensation
seekers, or anyone wanting to experiment with feeling high or feeling
different) or to feel better (self-medicators, or individuals who take drugs in
an attempt to cope with difficult problems or situations, including stress,
trauma, and symptoms of mental disorders).
What makes some people more vulnerable to substance
abuse? There are so many people who take
variety of substance depending on their buying capacity. But only a few get
dependent on the substance they use & abuse.
Studies have shown that no single factor can predict
whether or not a person will become addicted. The risk is majorly influenced by
person’s biology, social environment, and age and stage of development. People of all ages suffer the harmful consequences of substance use; and it
affects all strata of society.
The impact of Addiction can be seen on overall
health problems like Respiratory problems, cough, breathlessness, local
abscess, weight loss, over dosage, death. The other issues are marital
disharmony, separation, divorce, disowned by family, homelessness.
The youngsters have issues related to poor
performance in academics, absenteeism at work, loss of pay, getting into debts,
giving up hobbies, play and the only preoccupation, will be finding ways and
means to obtain the substances.
“Though
no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make
a brand new ending” Carl Bard
Addiction also leads to involvement in illegal
activities, arrests, imprisonment, driving under intoxication killing
themselves and also causing road accidents. It is very common to find psychological
issues related to guilt, shame, depression, anxiety, and other mental disorders
associated with addiction.
Our Response :
Being
non-judgmental, that is listening with love, understanding their problems,
helping them to talk about their issues can be helpful (Avoid blaming,
threatening, sarcasm, name calling and shouting)
Being Empathetic in dealing with them, i.e., putting
yourself in their place, and being sensitive and caring, and assuring
Confidentiality – building trust & relationship can motivate them to make a
decision to change.
“Patience
and the mulberry leaf becomes a silk gown.”
Chinese
Proverb
It is always better to refer to a counselor/ and consult
experts to help them; as we may not be equipped to deal with withdrawal
symptoms.
They reach their peak between 48 and 72 hours and can persist for a few weeks into recovery. In most instances the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal are mild, but there can be more severe symptoms known as Delirium Tremens which can be fatal.
Understanding withdrawal symptoms
What is withdrawal symptom? It’s a Physical psychological symptom that occur with the discontinuance of addicting substances. Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal usually begin about 5 – 10 hours following he last drink.They reach their peak between 48 and 72 hours and can persist for a few weeks into recovery. In most instances the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal are mild, but there can be more severe symptoms known as Delirium Tremens which can be fatal.
There are clinics and hospitals wherein treatment is
provided for dependent users, following are the places in Hyderabad
Spec Clinic – Psycho-social Counseling and
Treatment for Addiction.
New Bowenpally
X Road
Beside Gulf Bakery,
Secunderabad 500 011.
Telengana
Cell: 9247571490.
Asha De-addiction Centre
Plot No. 451, Road No 86,
Jubilee
hills, Hyderabad
Phone:
040-23540126
Hope Trust India
471, Road No.
87, Jubilee Hills
Telengana
Toll
free no. 18001231288
Institute of Mental Health, (IMH)
Government Hospital.8am-10am.
One has to register between the above mentioned
timing.
Erragadda-Out Patient
For those who would like to be sober and do not want
to return; there are groups that support and help in remaining committed to
their decision. Narcotic Anonymous work with mainly nicotine addiction and other
associated substances. Narcotics Anonymous group Meetings are conducted in the
twin cities on a regular basis to help those who want to be away from Substance
abuse.
·
Mondays - Mahabub
College RP Road
·
Wednesday –St Francis Girls High School, Near
Secunderabad Railway station. Contact no. 9293181524, 9985360968. 7.00 p.m to
8.15 p.m.
·
Thursdays – Holy Family
Girls High
School
·
Fridays – YMCA, Narayanaguda, Hyderabad
Similarly Alcoholic Anonymous groups (AA Groups) are
also working in the twin city for those who would like to be away from alchohol
and would like to remain sober.
ADDRESSES
|
TIMINGS
|
Hyderabad A.A. Group.
YMCA Narayanguda, Cont: - 9849015203 |
Sun./Mon.
/ Thu. 7.00 p.m.
|
Dilsukh
Group
Dilsukhnagar
Cont:
09704750871
|
Tue
7.00 pm.
|
Banjara Group
St. Alphonsus High School,
Road no 9, Banjara Hills
Cont: 09705982000
|
Sun.
11.00 a.m.
|
Stepping
Stones Group
Lady
of
Khairatabad,
Cont:9948334411
|
Wed
7.00 p.m.
|
Kukatpally
Group
Vijaynagar
Colonty, Kukatpalli,
Cont:
097047 50871
|
Thurs
7.00 p.m.
|
Secunderabad Group.
Secunderabad
Cont: 098490 25833
|
Sun.
11.00 a.m.
|
Wisdom Group
St. Francis Degree College, Uma Nagar, Begampet, Secunderadad - 500 003. Cont: 09849010002 |
Mon/Fri
- 7.00 p.m.
|
Jubilee
Group
Sweekar Upkar Rehabilitation Centre for Handicapped,near Jubilee Bus Stand, Secunderabad - 500 003. Cont: - 098666 90957 |
Mon./Wed
- 7.00 p.m.
|
Jubilee
Group
YMCA,
Near Clock Tower
Secunderabad
- 500 003
Cont: - 09985335920 |
Sun.
11.00 a.m.
|
Kripa
Group
Secunderabad
- 500 003
Cont:
- 097047 50871
|
Fri.
7.00 p.m.
|
Mahaboob
college Group
Cont:
- 089781 03289
|
Thu
7.00 p.m.
|
Secunderabad Group.
Near Manohar Talkies
Secunderabad
Cont: 098490 25833
|
Tue /
Sat - 7.00 p.m.
|
Swastatha Group.
Sri Ramnagar Colony
Kothapet, Dilsukhnagar
Cont: 09704750871
|
Sun.
10.15 a.m.
|
Madhapur Group
Next to Tata motors, Hitech city
Cont: 098667 74156
|
Sat
7.00 p.m.
|
Ikyatha Group
S V E
Vidyanagar,
Cont: 9000475577
|
Wed
7.00 pm
|
Tips to prevent from getting into substance abuse :
· Practice healthy diet, avoid junk foods and· Get plenty of sleep.
· Establish a regular exercise routine – walking, yoga, gym or any games of your choice, which can be played every day consistently
· Drink plenty of water and prefer other non-alcoholic drinks instead of alcoholic ones
· Take up new hobbies or spend more time on old ones.
· Keep yourself active and busy.
· Make non alcoholic using friends.
· Put the money you save into a special fund to save up for something you really need or want.
· Find paid employment, or do volunteer work.
· Set goals and keep adding, changing and re discovering new goals
· Practice Gratitude
· Listen to music or take up your some classes to learn music
· Learn to play an instrument
· Think positively and be optimistic
Source: WHO Manual
(2010), ASSIST-linked brief intervention
May you be blessed and Be happy !
