wellness

Prescription Medicine Abuse in India.

According to U.N reports abuse of prescription drug had seen a significant rise in India over last decade. The prescription drugs which are commonly abused can be classified into these categories.

• Central Nervous System Depressants ( Alprazolam, Librium, Ativan, Valium etc.)
• Dextromethorphan (Various brand names only psychoactive when taken in higher amounts than recommended.)
• Loperamide (Immodium also psychoactive when takenin higher amounts.)
• Prescription Opioids / Opium based drugs (Codeine which comes under different brand names as cough syrup and tablets, Hydrocodone based Alprax, Tramadol etc as pain killers, Methadone, Morphine, Oxycodone, Oxymorphone.)
• Prescription Stimulants
• Steroids

Most of the normal people who live in our society might have no idea about the drugs mentioned above! So the question arises how the youngster or any user comes under the influence of these drugs?

There are few possibilities

As an alternative, sometimes for an addict it is become quite difficult to find a dealer to get hold of heroine or other opium based illicit substance due to alertness of police. As a result of desperation many addicts starts using these medicine to get high. Methadone is a drug which is used to treat heroin addicts but due to its addictive nature it’s a very high chance that the user might become addict of Methadone.

As a combination to get more rush, by the time some of addict’s body develops a tolerance against his/her choice of addiction therefore in order to get more rush or feeling euphoria they tend to mix them with prescription drugs. This practice can be more dangerous and sometimes can lead to death. Prescription Medicine Abuse in India

As by being ignorant, it is high possibility to become an addict to medicine prescribed by a doctor by using for a longer period than recommended by simply lacking awareness of knowing about a drug which ones is taking or being simply careless to consult a doctor. Many times it is seen when a doctor had prescribed a drug for pain relief or insomnia, it used by the patient even after the completion of prescribed duration of period.

As being influenced by trends at the high end night clubs. It is very common for any wanna be kid to get easily influenced by other rich youngsters. Every young addict at the parties or in college atmosphere has tendency of showing off this practice as cool and hip. Which sometimes lead new kid around attracted and curious about doing drugs?

As for simple reason which is money, in India illicit substance like cocaine, smack, and heroin may or may not easy to get but it is always expensive. Like every addict tends to go out off cash in some point in life these substitute comes in handy. It is world known fact that the pharmacy product price is lower, if compared internationally. Laws can easily be bent while obtaining these drugs from market.

There are many problems in implementing the law in illegal trade of this drug as India being a very populous country with a large number of genuine consumers of this drug. So it is mostly up to the society to be aware of this disgraceful habit. There are many rehabilitation center and addiction treatment centers dedicated to help regarding this issue. Please do call one for help if you see yourself or any loved one indulge in this habit.

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It is not surprising that most cases of relapse which are admitted in rehab or de-addiction center are alcoholics. As in present scenario in India drinking culture is embedded in so many levels in our society, it becomes very tough job for a recovered alcoholic to escape the lure of a drink. From richer to poor, from corporate offices to the group of workers on a construction site, from farmers working in fields to family functions and even in school and colleges one can observe how this disgrace has effected each section of our society.

The Relapse

There are many cases of relapse, of recovered alcoholics from Rehab and de-addiction centers. They had fallen for the lure of a drink even after fully regaining their health back from zero. The main problem is the influence of drinking culture in our daily life. It is very common in alcoholics that after rejoining their work routine being fully recovered, they observe that people around them are healthy and enjoying alcohol.

Very soon their mind starts to play illusion games like they often ask themselves

• what harm one or two drinks can do?
• Now I can do it in a controlled way as I am fully healthy and aware.
• I am going to drink on holiday/weekends only.

These sentences are the usually first step towards inferno. After giving in to this disgraceful habit it is just matter of few days for an alcoholic to realize that he/she had open the gates of hell. Therefore very soon his/her lifestyle, daily routine all will be designed around this habit.

Few of them might realize that something very wrong is going on but they are under in control of the alcohol. At this stage they are unable to control the urge for a drink. Making every effort they had put for being sober to square one.

There are ways for an alcoholic to stay sober after joining their routine life:

• A daily habit of writing about the changed or sober life goes a long way.
• Write about the mishaps of life due to alcohol and read it before starting the day.
• Also avoid hanging out with people who are always indulging in drinking.
• One can always try to develop some new hobbies certainly which cannot be accompanied by liquor like outdoor sports etc.

More importantly don’t get carried away by the drinking of other people. Always remember that alcohol has different type of effect on an alcoholic than the rest of people.

The selling and consumption of alcoholic drinks is legal in almost around the globe. Therefore it mainly depends on choice and strong will of an individual to stay sober. This can be very tough for any alcoholic after recovery for few months. Our general life atmosphere is influenced by presence of alcoholic drinks, especially in India. Every now and then we encounter its presence in celebrations or in general get together. One should be very careful alert about its routine of daily life to remain sober. Gradually your lifestyle gets designed accordingly and struggle will ease down.

There are institutions like AA and addiction treatment centers dedicated to help any alcoholic at every stage. If you find yourself on the verge of relapse, please do not hesitate to call.

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Marijuana Indian Scenario

Marijuana smoking culture in Indian youth has increased rapidly in the last decade and mostly the growth has been observed in urban population of the youth. It is strange because smoking marijuana a.k.a “ganja” once considered a practice done by poor and illiterate people or by sadhus and fakir, it is strange because the same youth which labeled marijuana as a drug habit of poor people are doing it and advocating its use in spite of being well educated and coming from respected families. There is huge fraction of college/school students who are using marijuana on regular basis being unaware that they are becoming an addict or they had already became one. This change happened gradually over last decade.

According to the observations and research of few of the leading rehabilitation and de-addiction center of Central India. Marijuana Indian Scenario

One of the several reasons is the influence of the movies and music artists from the western countries on Indian youth or in other words the problem lies in the perception of Indian youth of how they see them. From ‘Harold and Kumar’ to ‘Pineapple Express’ and many more these movies have shown that by doing this people tend to do stupid stuff but for huge fraction of Indian youth which blindly imitates west this stupid thing had influenced them as fashion statement.

Another reason is that the responsible media agencies of the nation seems so apathetic about this issue that I do not recall a single show aired on television addressing this issue. Moreover some of our national news channel might flash a headline with some images of some celebrity smoking weed and sometimes they also do a story about some rock star or other kind of celebrity of how they became successful and they are still a stoner.

The police in India, almost of every state have a very careless and soft attitude towards production and smuggling of marijuana. As a result the availability of marijuana to the suppliers and end user is hardly a problem. Often the pure marijuana plant is blended with some other chemicals to make the end user more addictive or sometime just to enhance the quantity making it even more dangerous to the health. Marijuana is becoming so common in college campuses that one merely can ask someone about where to get hold of it like asking direction to a tea vendor. Again the problem lies within the Indian youth mindset towards the use of this drug.

There are many side effects of marijuana like short term memory problems, smelling or hearing things which are not present and sometimes even meeting or talking to people or things which don’t exists. This condition is known as psychosis and its treatment is very lengthy because the belief system of your brain is designed around that feeling which was not real. This condition of psychosis is so bad that it stays with the user even after the months of complete abstinence from marijuana. There are many other problems associated with this like increased heart rate, sexual problems etc.

If someone who has trouble quitting this habit should immediately contact de-addiction centre and enquire about their programs. There are many NGO’s and institution working in India regarding this issue.

On a concluding note this problem is in the society that we live in and the simplest and most effective way to overcome this problem is to be aware and make others also aware about the ill effects of marijuana.

www.bhopalgenerals.blogspot.com

Nasha Mukti kendra Bhopal

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Alcoholism is the inability to control drinking due to both a physical and emotional dependence on alcohol. Alcoholism, also known as alcohol use disorder (AUD), is a broad term for any drinking of alcohol that results in mental or physical health problems.

The disorder was previously divided into two types:

Alcohol Abuse:  Alcohol abuse is a system of drinking too much alcohol too often. It hinders with your daily life.

There are two types of alcohol abuse, those who have anti-social and pleasure-seeking tendencies, and those who are anxiety-restrain people who are able to go without drinking for long periods of time but are unable to control themselves once they start. Alcoholism

You are abusing alcohol when:

• You drink more than 14 drinks per week or more than 4 drinks per occasion (for men).
• You have more than 7 drinks per week or more than 3 drinks per occasion (for men and women older than 65).
• Consuming these amounts of alcohol harms your health, relationships, work, and/or causes legal problems.

Alcohol Dependence: Alcohol dependence is the most serious form of drinking problem and describes a strong, often uncontrollable, desire to drink. Drinking plays an important part in the day to day life of alcohol dependent people, which could lead to building up a physical tolerance or experiencing withdrawal symptoms if they stop.

At least three out of seven of the following criteria must be manifest during a 12-month period:

• Tolerance
• Withdrawal symptoms or clinically defined alcohol withdrawal syndrome
• Use in larger amounts or for longer periods than intended
• Persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down on alcohol use
• Time is spent obtaining alcohol or recovering from effects
• Social, occupational and recreational pursuits are given up or reduced because of alcohol use
• Use is continued despite knowledge of alcohol-related harm (physical or psychological)

Warning & Signs (Alcoholism)

The risk of alcohol dependence begins at low levels of drinking and increases directly with both the volume of alcohol consumed and a pattern of drinking larger amounts on an occasion, to the point of intoxication.

Warning signs of alcoholism include the consumption of increasing amounts of alcohol and frequent intoxication, preoccupation with drinking to the exclusion of other activities, promises to quit drinking and failure to keep those promises, the inability to remember what was said or done while drinking (known as “blackouts”), personality changes associated with drinking, denial or the making of excuses for drinking, the refusal to admit excessive drinking, dysfunction or other problems at work or school, the loss of interest in personal appearance or hygiene, marital and economic problems, and the complaint of poor health, with loss of craving, respiratory infections, or increased anxiety.

Alcoholism is characterized by an increased tolerance to alcohol – which means that an individual can consume more alcohol – and physical dependence on alcohol, which makes it hard for an individual to control their consumption. The physical dependency caused by alcohol can lead to an affected individual having a very strong desire to drink alcohol. These characteristics play a role in decreasing an alcoholic’s ability to stop drinking. Alcoholism can have adverse effects on mental health, causing psychiatric disorders and increasing the risk of suicide. A depressed mood is a common symptom of heavy alcohol drinkers.

Effects of alcohol

Short-term effects

Drinking enough to cause a blood alcohol concentration typically causes an overall improvement in mood and possible euphoria (a “happy” feeling), increased self-confidence and sociability, decreased anxiety, a flushed, red appearance in the face and impaired judgment and fine muscle coordination.

• Lethargy
• Sedation
• Balance problems and blurred vision
• Profound confusion
• Slurred speech
• Staggering
• Dizziness and vomiting.
• Stupor
• Unconsciousness
• Anterograde amnesia
• Coma (unconsciousness)
• Life-threatening respiratory depression

With all alcoholic beverages, drinking while driving, operating an aircraft or heavy machinery increases the risk of an accident; many countries have penalties for drunk driving.

Long-term effects

Having more than two drinks a day increases the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, and stroke. Risk is greater in younger people, which may result in violence or accidents. Alcoholism reduces a person’s life expectancy by around ten years and alcohol use is the third leading cause of early death in the World. No professional medical association recommends that people who are non-drinkers should start drinking wine. Long-term alcohol abuse can cause a number of physical symptoms, including

• cirrhosis of the liver
• pancreatitis
• epilepsy
• polyurethane
• alcoholic dementia
• heart disease
• nutritional deficiencies
• peptic ulcers
• sexual dysfunction,

And can eventually be fatal. Other physical effects include an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease, malabsorption, alcoholic liver disease, and several cancers. Damage to the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system can occur from sustained alcohol consumption.

Psychiatric

Long-term misuse of alcohol can cause a wide range of mental health problems. Excessive alcohol use causes damage to brain function, and psychological health can be increasingly affected over time. The ability to understand humour is also reduced in alcohol abusers; Psychiatric disorders are common in alcoholics:

• Anxiety and depression disorders
• Psychosis
• Confusion
• Schizophrenia
• Panic disorder
• Major depression
• Panic disorder
• Bulimia
• Post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD)
• Borderline personality
• Antisocial personality disorder(ASPD)
• Bipolar disorder
• Schizophrenia
• Impulse disorders
• Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Women with alcoholism are more likely to experience physical or sexual assault, abuse and domestic violence than women in the general population, which can lead to higher instances of psychiatric disorders and greater dependence on alcohol.

www.bhopalgenerals.blogspot.com

Nasha Mukti kendra Bhopal

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