Indian youth and growing intoxication crisis.

Understanding and overcoming addiction

I have a friend who was very good in his early life. However, as he grew up, he started consuming alcohol and other toxic substances. At first, he was able to manage it in a systematic way, but with time, he lost control. His attitude became toxic, and he drowned in long-term alcohol consumption.  

 Fortunately, his family provided him with mental support and got him treated by doctors. It took a long time, but eventually, he was able to recover from his toxic environment. Finally, he quit alcohol forever. 

This story reflects the experience of many people suffering from drug addiction.
 

Image: By Microsoft Designer.
A boy stands outside an old house thinking about something.

Indian youth is struggling with drug addiction. Drug addiction is not good for any country. Indian youth is facing it day by day. News often highlights incidents or accidents caused by drug addiction. 

Such news is often seen on TV news channels. Although drug addiction is a growing concern in India, there is no accurate data available about the rates of drug addiction. 

However,  according to the NCRB (National Crime Records Bureau), there were 10,560 cases of drug addicts attempting suicide in 2021. This number represents an increase of 189% since 2011.

People who consume pornography. To know the full story of pornstars, visit the site, there are many stories available on YouTube and the Internet. How dangerous is all this? It is not easily accepted in Indian society. 

Excerpt from an interview with former porn star Mia Khalifa- She said that low self-esteem does not lead to any kind of discrimination. I have never been conscious about my weight which attracts the attention of men. 

She started losing weight in small steps during my first year of college. She lost 50 pounds before graduation. She was very conscious that her breasts were going to be the first to go. 

She felt it was impossible to hold on to; it would go away later, how she was, that feeling, that validation. And we know how to compliment the first time. HT News.

Citation- 

"Sita was abducted because of her extreme beauty, Bali was tied up because he was extremely generous, so excess is the worst."

• Chanakya, writer and advisor to Chandragupta Maurya.

As per Chanakya's statement, we find it significantly relevant to addiction. Addiction is an extreme, whether it is related to alcohol, smoking, drugs or any other toxic substance. Addiction limits the human potential.  It starts with small steps and eventually turns into a full-blown addiction. Addiction is harmful for any society, especially for teenagers. 

The development of a country is reflected in its youth and adolescents. Youth are the backbone of society and many responsibilities depend on them.  In this article we will try to know the problems related to drug addiction, its causes and possible solutions.

Addiction by Experts-  

 According to ASAM (American Society of Addiction Medicine), addiction occurs when a person is unable to consistently stop a harmful behavior, has trouble controlling their actions, craves the substance or activity, and is unable to see the serious problems it is causing in their life and relationships. 

It also affects their emotions. Like other long-term illnesses, addiction often goes through cycles of getting better and worse. Without treatment or recovery efforts, addiction can get worse over time and lead to disability or early death . 

This statement of addiction can also be understood through Wikipedia “Addiction” and “addictive behavior” are terms that can mean different things, including types of mental disorders, brain-related symptoms, or just harmful habits and lifestyles. 

In medicine , "addiction" often refers to a strong and overwhelming desire to perform certain behaviors that bring sensory rewards, such as drinking alcohol, using drugs, having sex, gambling, or playing video games excessively.

Types of addictions.

1. Liquor.
2. Tobacco.
3. Drugs.
4. sex.
5. Internet.
6. Gaming.
7. Eat
8. shopping.

Generally, addiction starts with a replacement for any habit or problem. A person who wants to relax from his work wants to find a temporary solution to his problem. These are some of the root causes of addiction.

Alcohol Addiction-  Alcohol addiction is a widespread problem among Indian youth and adults. Alcohol is easily available in the market, there is no restriction on purchasing and no limit on drinking. Reports released from time to time on addiction show that teenagers and young people consume alcohol continuously. This drink provides temporary relief from pain and increases the level of dopamine in the body, which is responsible for the feeling of happiness and euphoria.

Tobacco addiction - This addiction is common in the society. No one is untouched by it. It can be easily accessed in every street and locality. A large number of people have become addicted to tobacco. According to WHO (World Health Organization) data, 1.35 million people die every year in India due to tobacco. About 29% of all adults above the age of 15 consume tobacco. 

According to the Global Adult Tobacco Survey 2018 survey in India, tobacco use in India is generally smokeless which includes bidi, kahini, gutkha, zarda, tobacco and cigarettes .

It will not be a surprise to say that the Indian society consumes millions of tobacco products every day. Tobacco products attract the youth as a good thing in their group or colleges.

Drug addiction - This is a much more toxic substance than all the addictions mentioned above. Drugs are not cheap and are not easily available. However, according to NISD (National Institute for Social Defense), 31 million people are using cannabis and about 72 lakh people are suffering from the problem of cannabis.

People who have both money and means become addicted to it. College and university students are the consumers who lose their careers in all this. They lose money, time, health, opportunities and the benefits of their parents.

Sex addiction - Adult magazines, CDs, DVDs, movies, songs, and websites can fuel sexual addiction by creating a fantasy world that captivates consumers. According to data released by Pornhub, an adult site, in 2018, 5.82 billion people viewed their content. This staggering number is equivalent to the content of about 665 centuries viewed in just one year. Pornhub Teens and young adults are particularly vulnerable to these influences and are often the primary consumers of such material. The desire to replicate what they see in these materials can sometimes lead to unhealthy behavior and, in some cases, even lead to violence.

Internet Addiction - Today, about 66% of the world's population has access to the Internet, making it a basic necessity in modern life. The Internet makes many complex tasks easy in seconds, such as booking train tickets, reserving movie seats, chatting with foreign customers, sending important documents and watching live concerts of your favorite singers through social media. 

Unfortunately, as the popularity of the internet has increased, the number of its users has also increased rapidly. People use it not only for practical purposes, but also for entertainment and fun. The internet caters to many aspects of life and removes loneliness. However, people have become addicted to it, spending their precious time watching videos on social media platforms. Its largest audience consists of youth, teenagers, and children, and its impact is especially clearly visible on children, especially through social media.

Netflix has released a short film called "The Social Dilemma" that shows the impact of the internet, particularly focusing on social media. The film highlights how internet addiction affects individuals and entire societies.

Gaming addiction - Gaming is an important aspect of the Internet. While games can be great for refreshing the mood and providing variety to the mind, many people become addicted to them.

Well, the gaming industry is a huge market, with millions of teens and young people playing games. The effects of constant game playing include a decrease in concentration power, a reduction in social skills, and a feeling of boredom with other activities. While gaming can provide entertainment and even career opportunities, it is important to maintain a balance to avoid the negative consequences of excessive gaming.

Food addiction-  As people get addicted to sports, some people become addicted to food and think mainly about eating. They consume food to satisfy their taste. The taste of food motivates them to try new varieties. They love eating. Such individuals often face problems like weight gain, fat accumulation, loss of control over eating, mental health problems and digestive problems.

Shopping-  Shopping is a common activity that we all engage in to satisfy our needs. However, some people become addicted to shopping, which can have serious consequences. People with shopping addiction often buy new items, products, and appliances even when they have no real need. They continue to shop even when their homes, including bedrooms and living rooms, are filled with unnecessary items. This addiction is especially noticeable among young people affected by the desire to buy new products.

The consequences of shopping addiction include financial problems, as excessive spending can lead to debt and capital instability. It can also be time-consuming and lead to wasted effort. Individuals invest significant value and energy into shopping, often resulting in remarkable personal and financial consequences.

Solution to drug addiction-

Rehabilitation centers: For alcohol and drug addiction, professional treatment and rehabilitation centers provide structured support.

Therapeutic exercises: Activities such as meditation, yoga, and exercise can help manage addiction and improve mental health.

Professional counseling: Counseling from a psychologist or therapist can be effective for sex addiction and Internet addiction.

Support systems: Family support and peer encouragement play a vital role in recovery.

Behavioral strategies: For shopping and food addiction, setting goals, tracking behavior, and seeking online resources can help manage cravings.

conclusion- 

We have seen that addiction is not good for anyone. It affects money, health and time consumption. Indian youth are able to remove addiction from their lives. Many youth and adults give up every common addiction with their hard work. There are many stories of people who have done this. Addiction is like darkness in which there is no light.