drug addiction, drug addiction therapy

Recognizing drug addiction in the initial stage can be quite difficult. All parents should be aware of this problem (especially in big towns and cities). No parent should simply assume that his/her child will never become a drug addict.

Subtle changes in behavior may be the only manifestation in the beginning. As adolescents can be emotionally unstable due to hormonal changes behavioral changes cannot always be attributed to drug abuse.

Parents should become suspicions if a teenager starts avoiding them, keeps aloof, does not attend college properly, comes late in the evening or goes away without informing them. Keeping a tab on the activities of teenagers is becoming increasingly difficult today with change from joint families to nuclear families and working mothers staying away from home for long periods.

Many parents try to keep in contact with their teenaged boys and girls through mobile phones. Not answering calls promptly should also arouse suspicion.

Parents should occasionally enter the rooms of their children and look for suspicions materials like needles, syringes or any substances like packets of powder or bottles containing some liquids or powders.

Loss of appetite and lack of sleep or excessive sleep are other non-specific manifestations. Those who inhale substances may suffer from stuffy nose, redness of eyes or cough frequently. Diminishing academic performance is another cause for concern but there may be other causes for this.

Drug addicts may start stealing money or other valuables from their homes in order to get their drugs. Hence if parents notice such activities they should suspect drug abuse.

Many substances of abuse cause serious psychological problems after some time. Hence those people frequently have problems with inter-personal relationship.

Prevention of drug abuse

Parents, teachers and health care professionals have to play their roles in order to prevent this menace.

Parents should always strive to create good atmosphere at home as good family life can act as buffer for minimizing the impact of stress.

Counseling before marriage is extremely important to help prospective parents understand their roles in proper child rearing. Voluntary organizations can play a significant role in arranging counseling sessions.

Sufficient attention should be given to the physical and psychological health of pregnant women. This helps in proper development of fetus in uterus. There in evidence that the fetus in influenced by the thoughts and acts of the pregnant women.

Every pregnant woman should spend some time every day in spiritual activities like singing or listening to devotional songs, reading spiritual books, attending spiritual discourses and doing some social service. Such activities may exert a favorable influence on the genetic constitution of the developing fetus making the baby less susceptible to drug abuse.

Children should be brought up in an atmosphere of understanding, love and discipline. Sufficient attention should be given to inculcating moral values early in life. All the members of the family should pray together daily for at least some time. They should also visit spiritual centers regularly.

Schools should incorporate spirituality in the curriculum. Lack of any spiritual education in schools and colleges is a serious problem today. Modern education is only concentrating on imparting skills to earn money. Success is measured only in terms of marks and ranks.

Those who secure high grades are sought after by corporate bodies to expand their business and increase their profits. Many brilliant young people who are offered very high remuneration by companies get carried away by money, get into all sorts of bad habits and ruin their lives because they have absolutely no idea about the higher purpose of human life.

It is important to stress the need for a balanced life combining science, technology and spirituality in all schools and colleges.

Teachers should also educate their students about the dangers of drug addiction. Teachers of honesty and integrity are highly respected by students and such teachers can exert enormous influence on the young minds. A good teacher is one who goes beyond teaching prescribed syllabus and cares for the well being of his students.

Such teachers are remembered by students throughout their lives. Teachers should warn their students against eating or drinking in places where the foods and drinks served cause some psychological changes.

SBI!

Drug addiction Part 3-Detection, prevention and management

Prevention of drug abuse