Does that one sip of alcohol give you the self-confidence Rajesh needed to talk to women? Or have you ever needed a wild night laced with alcohol or other substances to get over a break-up? Does smoking up send you to a peaceful place away from all the worldly stress? Have you ever wanted to try “hard drugs” at least one? “Bhaiya, ek Iceburst?” became an everyday college adda after that one time you tried? One drag to one cigarette, one taster to four cocktails, smoking up occasionally to smoking up every day.
Teenagers and young adults are particularly susceptible to trying out substances and getting addicted to it. A very common reason is they do it to ‘fit in or because of peer pressure’ just like Sanjay Dutt tried to in Sanju. But why would you want to fit into something that could potentially impact your health and others around you? Maybe Kabir Singh showed you that alcohol and drugs are ways to deal with life and all that comes with it? I’m sure The Hangover made you want to have a wild night on the town and every other RomCom told you to drown your sorrows in alcohol. Social media, television shows and movies have a huge impact on the minds of teenagers and the portrayal of various substances as a means to fit in, to deal with problems, to add to your cool quotient are why they look so attractive to them. Social media, television shows and movies heavily influence the opinions of the younger generation and aid their decisions to indulge in drugs or alcohol.
The real question is, is there really any harm in trying these substances at least once? Dependence is the difference between a mere habit and an addiction. Addiction can be seen to be driven by the need of it while habit is possibly due to routine, although a habit could lead to an addiction. On asking ten people between the ages of 19 to 24, most of them responded that it started a chain reaction that was initiated by a first try of the substance that slowly developed into a social norm for the particular groups they wanted to fit into which in turn, turned into a habit, a habit that they struggle to reverse. Some said that they always thought they’d be able to quit when it was absolutely necessary, but when the time came they just couldn’t. Many cited peer pressure, dealing with common problems and trying to fit in as reasons why they started smoking cigarettes, marijuana and drinking alcohol. Substance abuse as a coping mechanism was seen in every single respondent especially during the ongoing pandemic. Many said that they want to quit smoking/drinking and have tried to on multiple occasions but were unsuccessful. They don’t deem themselves as addicts but see their actions to be social in nature.
Another major problem that is faced is that it has become somewhat expected of young-adults to ‘experiment’. This expectation also gives them that little bit of freedom to indulge. Mere awareness of the negative effects of various substances isn’t enough to curb rampant substance abuse. “According to a prevalence study, 13.1% of the people involved in substance abuse in India are below 20 years of age. A clinic-based survey revealed that 63.6% of the substance users seeking treatment were introduced to drugs at a young age when they were 15 years or younger.”
Here are some questions we should be asking - how many bars and alcohol shops ask for ID from people when buying liquor? Why is marijuana, though banned, so freely available? Why do people below the legal age of 18 able to buy cigarettes? How are other drugs like LSD and cocaine making their way into the hands of the public? Why are prescription drugs so easy to buy without a prescription? Or the bigger question - Why are our young adults turning to substances to feel better, to belong somewhere?
Addiction can affect one not only just physically but also mentally and socially. General signs of addiction are: lack of control, or inability to stay away from a substance or behaviour, decreased socialization, like abandoning commitments or ignoring relationships, ignoring risk factors, like sharing needles despite potential consequences, physical effects, like withdrawal symptoms or needing higher dosage for effect. The first step to getting help is being able to recognize the physical, mental, and emotional signs, like abrupt and unexpected weight or personality changes in you, your friends or family members. A non-addict can get rid of bad habits however, an addict will justify their behaviour to themselves and others.
Please ask for help if you find yourself addicted to the use of any kind of substance. Addiction is nothing to be ashamed of, it’s a complex condition, a brain disease that is manifested by compulsive substance use despite harmful consequences. Do not hesitate to reach out! https://www.tsimentalhealth.com/counseling
About the Author
Cara has a Bachelor's in Psychology from Fergusson College, Pune. She will be pursuing her Master's in Clinical Psychology from University of Reading, UK. She's an extremely passionate musician and loves baking. Cara has been trained in piano for ten years and has given Trinity Music exams. She's been a part of multiple choirs a as well. She wishes to study the benefits of music in Therapeutic work and is keen on studying Music Therapy. She is currently working with The Secret Ingredient to develop Mental Health interventions for schools colleges, Corporates and NGOs. Cara wishes to reduce the stigma around substance abuse and mental health issues through her work and also raise awareness about it.
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