Drug addiction, a Societal diseases thats needs to be critically checked
Various factors are at work for the spread of this infection. The commonest cause is a widespread feeling among even tender-aged boys and girls, of deep depression and gloom. We live in an age of heightened tempo of fife. Domestic atmosphere and parental relation today are not all that is desired. Often both father and mother go out to work outside, leaving the child uncared for. Thus sub-conscious discontent is primarily responsible for the teen-ager going astray (on wrong lines).
There are also drug-traders around them, lying in wait to look for the possible victim. They have paid agents who tempt depressed and discontented boys. Tender-aged boys and girls feel naturally attracted to anything novel (strangely new) and unknown. So they are easily induced to take the drug for which the agents of drug-traffickers initially pay. Drugs like hashhish, marujiana, heroin, L. S. D., cockaine—contain high percentage of opium. Such a drug, when taken, at first leads to temporary forgetfulness with a kind of transport (lift) into a pleasant dreamland. Once initiated i.e. the habit is formed, the new addict must have it at the appointed hour and cannot do without it for all the world. Soon he turns anti-social, resorts to all sorts of crimes to have the money to buy the drug and leads the life of a wreck (ruined man) with deadened sensation about the outside world and the cherished human values. He is lost to the society and gradually glides to his grave. In this way the promising career of a large number of youths is blasted. What a pity!
The path of getting addicted is rather smooth in comparison with the process of cure and reformation. The, first task would be to isolate the young addict from his hardened companions. Then he or she has to be placed under specialized medical treatment. A sympathetic approach is to be followed to bring him back to the ways of normal life,—for ultimately rehabilitating him to the bosom of the society. The physicians (medical men) as well as the Police have an onerous (heavy) responsibility and role to play in this regard.
Drug addiction that is ruining bright families is also a social scourge (curse). To combat and eradicate (uproot) this evil organized efforts are called for both by the Govt. and social bodies. For this an intense anti-drug campaign has to be undertaken at first. Various mass media like Radio, T. V., Cinema, the Press (newspapers and periodicals) have to be utilized, through lectures, slides, posters etc. Arrangements should be made to widely rouse awareness among the rising generation about the limitless evils and harmful effects of drug-taking. All routes to drug-peddling (smuggling) have to be sealed so that drugs become scarce (not easily available). Ex-addicts should not be looked down upon as lepers. They should be treated with all the com-passion and care they socially deserve. The sense of optimism is to be bred in them so that they can turn a new leaf of life and become useful and responsible members of the society. The adage (proverb) is worth quoting — every sinner has a future just a saint has a past.

Understanding Drug Use and Addiction

Many people don't understand why or how other people become addicted to drugs. They may mistakenly think that those who use drugs lack moral principles or willpower and that they could stop their drug use simply by choosing to. In reality, drug addiction is a complex disease, and quitting usually takes more than good intentions or a strong will. Drugs change the brain in ways that make quitting hard, even for those who want to. Fortunately, researchers know more than ever about how drugs affect the brain and have found treatments that can help people recover from drug addiction and lead productive lives.

What Is drug addiction?

Addiction is a chronic disease characterized by drug seeking and use that is compulsive, or difficult to control, despite harmful consequences. The initial decision to take drugs is voluntary for most people, but repeated drug use can lead to brain changes that challenge an addicted person’s self-control and interfere with their ability to resist intense urges to take drugs. These brain changes can be persistent, which is why drug addiction is considered a "relapsing" disease—people in recovery from drug use disorders are at increased risk for returning to drug use even after years of not taking the drug.

It's common for a person to relapse, but relapse doesn't mean that treatment doesn’t work. As with other chronic health conditions, treatment should be ongoing and should be adjusted based on how the patient responds. Treatment plans need to be reviewed often and modified to fit the patient’s changing needs.

AThe brain's reward circuit

What happens to the brain when a person takes drugs?

Most drugs affect the brain's "reward circuit" by flooding it with the chemical messenger dopamine. This reward system controls the body's ability to feel pleasure and motivates a person to repeat behaviors needed to thrive, such as eating and spending time with loved ones. This overstimulation of the reward circuit causes the intensely pleasurable "high" that can lead people to take a drug again and again.

As a person continues to use drugs, the brain adjusts to the excess dopamine by making less of it and/or reducing the ability of cells in the reward circuit to respond to it. This reduces the high that the person feels compared to the high they felt when first taking the drug—an effect known as tolerance. They might take more of the drug, trying to achieve the same dopamine high. It can also cause them to get less pleasure from other things they once enjoyed, like food or social activities.

Long-term use also causes changes in other brain chemical systems and circuits as well, affecting functions that include:

learning
judgment
decision-making
stress
memory
behavior

Despite being aware of these harmful outcomes, many people who use drugs continue to take them, which is the nature of addiction.

Why do some people become addicted to drugs while others don't?

No one factor can predict if a person will become addicted to drugs. A combination of factors influences risk for addiction. The more risk factors a person has, the greater the chance that taking drugs can lead to addiction. For example:

Photo of a young woman seated and leaning forward against the backrest of a park bench.

Biology. The genes that people are born with account for about half of a person's risk for addiction. Gender, ethnicity, and the presence of other mental disorders may also influence risk for drug use and addiction.
Environment. A person’s environment includes many different influences, from family and friends to economic status and general quality of life. Factors such as peer pressure, physical and sexual abuse, early exposure to drugs, stress, and parental guidance can greatly affect a person’s likelihood of drug use and addiction.
Development. Genetic and environmental factors interact with critical developmental stages in a person’s life to affect addiction risk. Although taking drugs at any age can lead to addiction, the earlier that drug use begins, the more likely it will progress to addiction. This is particularly problematic for teens. Because areas in their brains that control decision-making, judgment, and self-control are still developing, teens may be especially prone to risky behaviors, including trying drugs.

Can drug addiction be cured or prevented?

As with most other chronic diseases, such as diabetes, asthma, or heart disease, treatment for drug addiction generally isn’t a cure. However, addiction is treatable and can be successfully managed. People who are recovering from an addiction will be at risk for relapse for years and possibly for their whole lives. Research shows that combining addiction treatment medicines with behavioral therapy ensures the best chance of success for most patients. Treatment approaches tailored to each patient’s drug use patterns and any

More good news is that drug use and addiction are preventable. Results from NIDA-funded research have shown that prevention programs involving families, schools, communities, and the media are effective for preventing or reducing drug use and addiction. Although personal events and cultural factors affect drug use trends, when young people view drug use as harmful, they tend to decrease their drug taking. Therefore, education and outreach are key in helping people understand the possible risks of drug use. Teachers, parents, and health care providers have crucial roles in educating young people and preventing drug use and addiction.

Points to Remember

Drug addiction is a chronic disease characterized by drug seeking and use that is compulsive, or difficult to control, despite harmful consequences.
Brain changes that occur over time with drug use challenge an addicted person’s self-control and interfere with their ability to resist intense urges to take drugs. This is why drug addiction is also a relapsing disease.
Relapse is the return to drug use after an attempt to stop. Relapse indicates the need for more or different treatment.
Most drugs affect the brain's reward circuit by flooding it with the chemical messenger dopamine. This overstimulation of the reward circuit causes the intensely pleasurable "high" that leads people to take a drug again and again.
Over time, the brain adjusts to the excess dopamine, which reduces the high that the person feels compared to the high they felt when first taking the drug—an effect known as tolerance. They might take more of the drug, trying to achieve the same dopamine high.
No single factor can predict whether a person will become addicted to drugs. A combination of genetic, environmental, and developmental factors influences risk for addiction. The more risk factors a person has, the greater the chance that taking drugs can lead to addiction.
Drug addiction is treatable and can be successfully managed.
More good news is that drug use and addiction are preventable. Teachers, parents, and health care providers have crucial roles in educating drug use and abuse

This publication is available for your use and may be reproduced in its entirety without permission from the NIDA. Citation of the source is appreciated, using the following language: Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse; National Institutes of Health; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.