What are the common substances/ drugs of abuse? What are the local names of drugs?
Alcohol, tobacco, cannabis / “ganja”, opium derived drugs / “abeem / afeem”, volatile substances like paint thinners, correction fluid, glue and sleeping pills and other medications are commonly abused as drugs by youth and adults in India.
Is drug and alcohol use problem common in our country?
Yes it is common according to a recently concluded nation-wide survey. In the population between 10 to 75 years of age:- About 27% of men and 1.6% of women use alcohol. About 2.8% of people use cannabis and 2.1% people use opioids. About 1.1% of people use sedative medications. Inhalants are used by about 0.7% of population. However, among children between 10-17 years age, 1.17% are found to use inhalants.
*(Magnitude of Substance Use in India report, 2019-NDDTC, AIIMS &MoSJE, Govt. of India)
Does this affect young people also?
Yes. It has been repeatedly shown by various research studies that the first use of drugs and alcohol starts between 12-14 years of age in many cases. Those who start using substances as adolescents are more likely to become addicted to it and face more severe problems. Below are the estimates of substance use problems in various categories – man vs women, children, adults etc..
Approximate prevalence of substance use problems in various categories
Substance: Alcohol
Common names: Country liquor, desi sharab(30%), IMFL (30%),saraiyum, beer, wine
Prevalence (India):14.6% (16 crore)
Prevalence (Men):27.3%
Prevalence Children (10-17 yr):1.3%
Substance: Cannabis
Common names: Bhang (2%), ganja, charas (1.2%)
Prevalence (India): 2.8% (3. cr)
Prevalence (Men): 5%
Prevalence Children (10-17 yr):0.9%
Substance: Opioids
Common names:Poppy, husk, phukki, smack, brown sugar
Prevalence (India): 2.1% (2.26 cr)
Prevalence (Men): 4%
Prevalence Children (10-17 yr): 1.8%
Substance: Tobacco
Common names: Smoking, smokeless tobacco, e-cigarrette
Prevalence (India): 35%
Prevalence (Men): 13.1%
Substance: Sedatives
Common names: Sleeping pills
Prevalence (India): 35% (18 lakh adults)
Prevalence Children (10-17 yr): 4.6 lakh children
Substance: Inhalants / Volatile substances
Common names: Glue, Fevibond, Araldite, thinner, varnish, correction fluids, petrol etc.
Prevalence (India): 0.7% (77 lakh)
Prevalence Children (10-17 yr): 1.17%
Do you have a doubt that your child / student is using drugs? How can you find out?
Some of these observations may indicate possible drug or alcohol use problem or a psychological problem in your child or student:-
Late to school: Spending more time with peers
Not attentive in class room: Frequent lying about his activities orwhereabouts
Frequent bunking: Reduced interest in studies
Avoiding eye to eye contact with family members:Sudden changes in appearance (Hair-cut, Stud , Tattooing)
Coming home late: Red eyes, Slurred speech, Abnormal gait, Sweating, Smell of substances, Withdrawal symptoms
Asking for money frequently or stealing: Possession of leaf-like substances in a pouch, having some transparent papers(OCB), matchbox, needle, syringe, stamp like papers, or having pipes or chillums or plastic bottles cut in shape of ‘bongs’
Not doing homework regularly
How can you know that your child is taking what kind of drugs?
All of the drugs cause some common symptoms such as – difficulty in remembering, difficulty in taking decision ,persistently poor performance at school/college/work, rapid mood changes, increased sweating, drowsiness. Some more specific effects that can help suspect drug use are listed below:
Signs of intoxication and withdrawal from specific substances
Substance: Alcohol
Signs of Intoxication: Redness of face; Drunken gait; Slurred or unclear speech; Headache; Stomach ache; Smell of spirit/alcohol; Silly or rash behaviour.
Signs of Withdrawal: Anxiety; Sleep disturbances; Nausea and/or vomiting; Hallucinations- hearing voices when alone; Fever; Seizure (fits); Agitated behaviour.
Substance: Opiates
Signs of Intoxication: Pinpoint pupils; Slurred or unclear speech; Slow / shallow breathing; Stupor/coma (unconsciousness).
Signs of Withdrawal: Nausea; Vomiting; Stomach cramps; Diarrhoea; Drug cravings; Dilated pupils.
Substance: Cannabis
Signs of Intoxication: Red eyes; Dry mouth; Thirst Increased appetite and craving for specific foods at unusual times; Light headedness; Yellow fingertips; Smell of burnt rope/burnt grass.
Signs of Withdrawal: Sleep disturbances; Irritable; Anxious; Fever like symptoms.
Substance: Inhalants (super glue, varnish, nail paint remover, thinner)
Signs of Intoxication: Varnish like smell; Combativeness; Slurred speech; Light headedness.
Signs of Withdrawal: Tremors; Irritability; Sleep disturbances.
Substance: Sleeping pills
Signs of Intoxication: Drowsiness; Drunken gait; Silliness of behaviour; Slowed breathing; Unconsciousness.
Signs of Withdrawal: Sleep disturbances; Restlessness; Anxiety.
Always make sure your child does not have access to glues used to stick plastic/glassware especially superglues (such as Fevibond, Araldite), as well as whiteners, thinners and all such use should be under strict supervision as such substances have more potential to be abused.
What are the risk factors for substance use?
Familial factors: Parents or family members using drugs or alcohol; Childhood abuse and neglect; Marital status of the parent; Parent child relationship.
Social risk factors: Bad company of friends; Association with gangs; Peer pressure to try drugs.
Individual risk factors: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder; Post Traumatic Stress disorder; Depression; Any other psychiatric illness.
What are the complications of substance abuse ?
Physical:
– Affect multiple organ systems of your body like lungs, liver, heart, brain
– Causes liver failure
– Affect brain and nervous system and cause memory disturbances, forgetfulness, decreased concentration and attention
– Affects heart and cause elevated blood pressure, dilation of heart
– Causes cancers in lungs, mouth, oesophagus, liver, kidney
– Sexual problems
– Risk of acquiring AIDS and other infections through needle sharing
Psychological:
– Confusion, Violent behaviour and aggression
– Amotivation – loss of interest in studies, work, and relationships
– Anxiety, Depression
– Results in psychosis – hearing voices that others can’t hear and seeing imaginary things (hallucinations) Believing in unreal things (delusions)
Social:
– Affects interpersonal family relationships
– Involves in violence and crime
– Results Road traffic accidents
– Decrease performance in studies, work productivity and loss of job
– Ends up in debts and suicide
Is the problem treatable?
Yes.It is treatable.
Drug addiction is not just a bad habit. It is actually a disease involving your brain and hence it might be difficult for you to come out of the habit by yourself once it is established. However by seeking help from a psychiatrist and by being co-operative for the interventions you may gradually become free of any substance use.
Early counselling can help you to avoid it from becoming a habit. The early intervention and treatment can help to stop the development of addiction. It can therefore prevent the complications due to substance use.
The early intervention can even prevent the use of substance from becoming a habit. Hence feel free to discuss it early and do not wait for the person to become addicted or start having problems.
Will I need medicines or counselling? Will these be effective?
Depending upon the extent of your problem you might need medicines or counselling or both. Medicines are mostly required during withdrawal state from a substance and to control craving for substance during abstinence period. Apart from medicines there are other non- medication options like Motivation Enhancement Therapy, group counselling and yoga exercises which we can provide. Your co-operation and also the family support are also required for the treatment to be effective.