Ask any person with a past track record of substance abuse and they would tell you without any hesitation that addiction takes you whole. It’s like stepping on to a tract of slipping quicksand that consumes you without warning or mercy. Many, fortunately, realise their folly early and try to scramble up the slippery slope to recovery. But for a large number the battle just gets tougher by the day as they sink in too deep.
Yearning for substance
There might be numerous factors responsible for turning a recently active, healthy, and intelligent person into a bundle of confusion, succumbing to a person yearning solely for the substance. It could begin through a close gathering of friends who wanted you to try it once for a ‘fun time’. It could also be that someone you know personally tries to introduce you to the ‘joys’ of it at a party and then you get hooked to it.
Health problems follow
Whatever might be the reason, addiction to any substance, to things that can enslave a person are mentally and physically damaging. In the medical field, some of these addictive substances may have been used for pain alleviation but nowadays, these are seldom prescribed for daily use. Substance abuse over a period of time causes irreparable damage to brain functioning and normal physical activities.
Difficult addictions
Though substance abuse has a long term repercussion on a person’s mental and physical health, research findings have shown that some of the drugs are the most difficult to quit and hence cause more devastating impact on a person. Heroin is one such drug. Mostly used as an analgesic or painkiller, it is a very difficult addiction to quit for a large number of people.
Addiction to analgesic
It is common for hospitals to inject analgesics through intravenous supplies as pain relievers and then prescribe the same in the form of drugs to be taken at home. The intake of such drugs may cause withdrawal symptoms in some. Unfortunately, other depressants,pain-killers and analgesics (Example: Vicodin and Oxycontin) have now emerged as the fastest growing drugs of abuse. These are being regularly used by drug addicts and their easy availability is a matter of concern for de-addiction centres and healthcare professionals.
Cigarette – most difficult to quit
More than alcohol and cocaine, experts say, kicking the cigarette butt is the most difficult for persons hooked to it. It is common to see people going for a ‘smoke’ after a meal, for a ‘sutta break’, or after dinner. It is said that quitting cigarettes is even tougher than heroin.
Anti-smoking campaign
Thanks to anti- smoking campaigns, a large number of smokers have quit cigarettes. In India with increasing awareness people are increasingly joining the non-smokers’ club. However, chewing tobacco or tobacco–mixed betel nut remains a major source of addiction and is also said to be one of the causes of mouth cancer.
Free · Confidential
Book screening with our triage team
Speak to a clinician in minutes. We’ll help you figure out the right next step.
