The International Day against Drug Misuse and Illicit Trafficking is observed annually on June 26 with the goal of raising awareness of the problem of drug abuse and addiction as well as its effects among individuals and communities. With the help of this worldwide celebration, people, communities, and a wide range of organizations hope to accomplish the goal of a drug-free world society by increasing awareness of the problem of substance addiction as well as strengthening all-encompassing action and cooperation.
Adolescent substance abuse is on the rise in India at a startling rate, and this is a direct result of shifting cultural norms, intense competition in the fields of education and employment, mounting financial stress on families, and deteriorating supportive ties for teenagers during this formative stage. Adolescents are affected because they see their first experiences with a variety of drugs, especially those that are widely accessible like glue, tobacco, cannabis, and alcohol. Teenagers who have a family history of drug usage as well as other emotional and behavioral difficulties at home are among the most at-risk groups among adolescents, along with street children, child laborer's, and teens. The Monitoring the Future Survey reported that in 2021 19.5% of 12th graders were current cannabis users, which is a decrease from 22.3% in 2019. About 38.6% of 12th graders reported having used cannabis one or more times in their life. In 2010, the rate of current cannabis use surpassed the rate of current tobacco use for the first time.
Data collected under project UDAYA, an initiative led by the Population Council, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Packard Foundation, shows that substance abuse is high among adolescent boys (15-19 years). The UDAYA study probed on tobacco use, alcohol consumption and drug use and revealed that 20% of adolescent boys aged 15-19 in Bihar and 22% in Uttar Pradesh (UP) consumed tobacco and tobacco products; 4-5% of younger boys (10-14 years) also ever used tobacco products. The consumption is higher among rural boys in comparison to urban boys (21% vs 17% in Bihar; 23% vs 18% in UP). One percent of older boys (15-19 years) in Bihar and UP reported use of brown sugar (a heroin product) cocaine, ganja, charas and bhaang.
Regarding alcohol consumption, the figures were 8% (in Bihar) and 5% (in UP) for older boys whereas 2% younger boys in Bihar have been found to consume alcohol. Tobacco consumption among married older girls (15-19 years) was found to be higher (2% in Bihar and 5% in Uttar Pradesh) in comparison to younger girls (10-14 years; 1% each in both states) and unmarried older girls (2% in each states). Percentage of unmarried girls involved with drug abuse was 0.1% while none of the married older (15-19 years) and unmarried younger girls (10-14 years) and boys (10-14 years) reported using any drug ever.
In the 2021 Monitoring the Future Survey, the following percentages of 12th graders reported using illicit substances one or more times in their life:
Prescription drugs (taken without a prescription): 8.8%
Inhalants (for example, glue, aerosols): 5.0%
Hallucinogens (for example, LSD, PCP, mescaline, mushrooms): 7.1%
Cocaine: 2.5%
Anabolic steroids (taken by mouth or injected into a muscle): 0.8%
Methamphetamines (nonprescription): 0.6%
Heroin: 0.4%
Prescription drugs that are most often misused include opioid (narcotic) pain relievers, antianxiety drugs, sedatives, and stimulants (such as methylphenidate and similar drugs used for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder).
There are three different terms used to define substance-related disorders, including the following:
Substance abuse. Substance abuse describes a pattern of substance (drug) use leading to significant problems or distress such as failure to attend school, substance use in dangerous situations (driving a car), substance-related legal problems, or continued substance use that interferes with friendships and/or family relationships. Substance abuse, as a disorder, refers to the abuse of illegal substances or the abusive use of legal substances.
Substance dependence. Substance dependence describes continued substance abuse, even after significant problems in everyday functioning have developed. Signs include an increased tolerance or need for increased amounts of a substance to attain the desired effect, withdrawal symptoms with decreased use, unsuccessful efforts to decrease use, increased time spent in activities to obtain substances, withdrawal from social and recreational activities, and continued use of a substance even with awareness of physical or psychological problems encountered by the extent of the substance use.
Chemical dependence. Chemical dependence is another term used to describe the compulsive use of chemicals (drugs or alcohol) and the inability to stop using them despite all the problems caused by their use.
Adolescent substance misuse and problematic habits of substance use can stress out families, cause physical and mental health difficulties, promote poor peer connections, and cause or exacerbate problems at school. Additionally, they have the potential to become lifetime problems including substance abuse, persistent health concerns, and social and financial repercussions. Substance abuse is the harmful pattern of using substances—such as tobacco, alcohol, illicit drugs, and prescription drugs—leading to impairment or distress with one or more of the following behaviors:
Recurrent substance use resulting in failure to fulfill major responsibilities at work, school, or home such as repeated absences, suspension, and expulsion
Recurrent substance use in situations where it is physically dangerous, such as driving while impaired
Recurrent substance-related legal problems, such as arrests for disorderly conduct that are substance-related
Continued substance use despite having persistent or recurring social or personal problems caused or worsened by substance use
Diagnosis
Adolescent substance misuse is typically diagnosed by a pediatrician, family physician, psychiatrist, or other certified mental health practitioner. However, some people think that the most frequently overlooked childhood condition is adolescent substance misuse. The majority of teenagers who take drugs will go to the doctor's office without any evident physical symptoms. Doctors are more likely to detect substance misuse issues when young people are damaged in impaired driving accidents or when they are brought in for treatment after purposeful self-inflicted injuries. Clinical results can include the following, depending on the substance used, how frequently, and how long it has been since the previous use:
Loss of weight
constant weariness
eye color
Little attention paid to hygiene
Treatment
A variety of treatment programs for substance abuse are available on an inpatient or outpatient basis. Programs considered are usually based on the type of substance abused. Medical detoxification (if needed, based on the substance abused) and long-term follow-up management are important features of successful treatment. Long-term, follow-up management usually includes formalized group meetings and age-appropriate psychosocial support systems, as well as continued medical supervision. Individual and family psychotherapy are often recommended to address the developmental, psychosocial, and family issues that may have contributed to and resulted from the development of a substance abuse disorder.
Prevention of Substance Abuse and Chemical Dependence
There are three major approaches used to prevent adolescent substance use and abuse, including the following:
School-based prevention programs. School-based prevention programs usually provide drug and alcohol education and interpersonal and behavior skills training.
Community-based prevention programs. Community-based prevention programs usually involve the media and are aimed for parents and community groups. Programs, such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD), are the most well-known, community-based programs.
Family-focused prevention programs. Family-focused prevention programs involve parent training, family skills training, adolescent social skills training, and family self-help groups. Research literature available suggests that components of family-focused prevention programs have decreased the use of alcohol and drugs in adolescents and improved effectiveness of parenting skills.