Alcoholism & Narcotic addictionAlcoholism & Narcotic addiction

Alcoholism & Narcotic Addiction

Alcoholism

Narcotic Addiction

Alcoholism is a broad term for problems with alcohol, and is generally used to mean compulsive and uncontrolled consumption of alcoholic beverages, usually to the detriment of the drinker's health, personal relationships, and social standing.

It is medically considered a disease

Narcotic addiction is the compulsive use of a narcotic substance, despite its negative or dangerous effects.

a condition characterized by an overwhelming desire to continue taking a drug to which one has become habituated through repeated consumption because it produces a particular effect, usually an alteration of mental status.

Alcoholism & Narcotic Addiction – a growing menace

India's reputation as a country with a culture of abstinence especially in matters regarding alcohol is undeserved, say experts. The country, which has seen a rapid proliferation of city bars and nightclubs in recent years, is fast shedding its inhibitions about alcohol as a lifestyle choice.

It is estimated that there are about 6.25 crore alcoholics, 90 lakh Cannabis and 2.5 lakhs opiates and nearly 10 lakh illicit drug users in the country

Sales of alcohol have seen a growth rate of 8% in the past 3 years

The percentage of the drinking population aged under 21 years has increased from 2% to more than 14% in the past 15 years

Alarmingly, the study found that the “average age of initiation” had dropped from 19 years to 13 years in the past two decades

Causes of Alcoholism & Narcotic Addiction

There are no exact cause of alcoholism & Narcotic addiction, research has shown increasing evidence that susceptibility to it may be inherited and the risk of developing this medical condition rises significantly in families with relatives (in particular, parents and siblings) who are dependent on alcohol or narcotics.

Sensation seeking, Low self-esteem , inability to cope with stress, Childhood loss or trauma

Additional risk factors include having a psychiatric condition such as depression, or anxiety disorders. Poverty, social isolation, and shyness may also be risk factors.

Peer Pressure, Influence of western culture, Curiosity, As a novelty, Social rebelliousness. Early initiation 

As a relief from fatigue or boredom. To escape reality.

Effects of Alcoholism

Alcohol is a contributing factor in at least half of all murders, suicides, and car accidents.

Heavy drinking is also linked with physical fighting, destroyed property, school and job problems, and trouble with law enforcement authorities.

Heavy drinking along with drunk driving increases your chances of serious injury or death.

Drinking alcohol leads to:

Loss of coordinationSlowed reflexesDistorted visionMemory lapsesBlackouts Impaired judgment Feeling depressed, or even suicidal

Heavy drinking is also linked with

Liver Disease Cardiovascular problems Cancer

Effects of Narcotic Addiction

Unexplained change in personality or attitude

Changes in appetite or sleep patterns. Sudden weight loss or weight gain.

Slurred speech, or impaired coordination.

Deterioration of physical appearance, personal grooming habits

Periods of unusual hyperactivity, agitation, or giddiness.

Sudden mood swings, irritability, or angry outbursts.

Failure of vital organs

Brain Damage

Health and safety:

• Trauma, violence, organ system damage, various cancers, premature death and poor nutritional status of families

• Alcoholism & Narcotic Addiction was significantly associated with severe health problems such as head injuries and hospitalizations. 15 to 20% of traumatic brain injuries were related to alcohol use. 37% of injuries in a public hospital was due to alcohol.

• 17.6 % of psychiatric emergencies were caused by Alcoholism & Narcotic Addiction

• 34% of those who attempted suicide were Alcoholism & Narcotic Addicts

• 35.8% of traffic deaths were alcohol or drug induced

The real cost of Alcoholism & Narcotic Addiction

Work place:

• 20% of absenteeism and 40% of accidents at work place are related to Alcoholism & Narcotic Addiction.

• Annual loss to public exchequer due to alcohol & Drugs related incidents was estimated to be Rs.7000 to 8000 Cr

• In a public enterprise, number of workplace accidents reduced to lesser then one fourth of the previous levels after alcoholism or drug rehabilitation treatment.

The real cost of Alcoholism & Narcotic Addiction

Family:

• 85% of men who were violent towards their wives were frequent or daily users of alcohol.

•More than half of the abusive incidents were under the influence of alcohol.

•An assessment showed that domestic violence reduced to one tenth of previous levels after alcoholism treatment. • 3 to 45 % of household expenditure is spent on alcohol or narcotics in a household where one or more members are addicts.

• Use of alcohol & Narcotics increases indebtedness and reduces the ability to pay for food and education.

• Alcohol & Drug abuse leads to separations and divorces and causes emotional hardship to the family.

•The emotional trauma cannot be translated in terms of money but the impact it has on quality of lives is significant.

The real cost of Alcoholism & Narcotic Addiction

Fight against Alcoholism & Narcotic AddictionFight against Alcoholism & Narcotic Addiction

Building Awareness

•The Government or India as well as various State Governments have launched campaign against the growing menace of Alcoholism & Narcotic Addiction

•Non Government organisations are also working to build awareness against these double menace our country is facing

• Awareness campaign is launched in schools/colleges to target students who are vulnerable

•Campaign is also launched through electronic and print media

• In affected areas road shows and skits are performed to create more impact.

Drug Abuse Treatment

Alcohol Abuse Treatment:

•Drug abuse treatment is an important part of recovering from drug abuse. In addition to stopping drug use, the goal of drug abuse treatment is to return the individual to productive functioning in the family, workplace, and community.

•While in drug abuse treatment, recovering drug addicts learn about addiction, recovery and relapse while addressing misguided beliefs about self, others and their environment.

•Alcohol abuse treatment works with the entire person to improve self-esteem and self-worth, heal core traumas, learn life-skills, gain control over addictive patterns, improve the health of the body, in addition to recovering from alcohol abuse.

•Treatment focuses on helping each person to rebalance their lives and gain the skills they need to live a successful, satisfying life

Treatment & Rehabilitation

Fight against Alcoholism & Narcotic Addiction

Counselling:

•Counselling focuses on the symptoms of drug addiction, the individual as a whole, and the content and structure of the individual's recovery program.

• It gives the person coping strategies and tools for recovery. The primary goal of counselling is to assist the individual in achieving and maintaining abstinence from drugs and alcohol.

•The secondary goal is the help them recover from the damage addiction has caused in their life

Treatment & Rehabilitation

Residential Drug Treatment:

•Residential drug treatment, also known as therapeutic communities are located in residential settings and use a model with treatment stages that reflect increased levels of personal and social responsibility.

•The idea behind residential treatment is that the individual suffering from drug addiction is able to live in an environment which is drug free.

•They begin to see how to live life without drugs and alcohol through their time spent away from their previous environment.

•As time progresses they are able to handle more and more responsibility within the residential treatment facility and are expected to be part of the community in which they live.

•This means helping those who are just beginning as well as those around them.

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