We are living in a world, which has become extremely complicated, fast and demanding. Our lives are constantly affected by it. As a result we humans feel emotionally turbulent, insecure and very vulnerable. Our minds are allured all the time with new experiences, something we think will make us feel unique and different. One such experience that allures a young, inqusitive and adventurous mind is the effect of various drugs, including alcohol.

The most common drugs that are available in the market, apart from alcohol, are marijuana (ganja), Hashish (Charas), various kinds of cough syrups, sedative tablets, brown sugar, heroin, cocaine, crack, ecstasy, etc.

Most often the use of drugs start from teen-age and in school. There is almost always a very "cool" guy who is very different from the others and who has a certain warmth that attracts other boys and girls. He is always confident, smart, wise and has an irresistible charm and "who cares" attitude. Most often than not this "wise guy" has a little "secret" that he shares with the ones who have become closest to him. A few puffs of Ganja or Charas or Brown Sugar or a snort of Cocaine is all it takes to experience that something "unique" and "different".

The desire, and later on, the craving for more and more of this experience is the beginning of addiction. Most young people fall prey to this desire and unknowingly become addicted to drugs. Very soon the person becomes totally dependent on his / her chosen drug, without which he /she loses confidence to face reality and feels insecure and shaky.

The parents should always be aware of and watchful over these young vulnerable people and provide proper guidance. Hence, it is necessary for them to know a few things about the problem of drug addiction, its causes and symptoms.

Why do the young people get addicted to drugs?

The reasons could be mental or emotional

1. Fear of failure
2. Desire for newer experience
3. Insecurity or inferiority complex
4. Too much of pampering
5. Lack of proper attention
6. Bad company

How will you understand whether your son or daughter is using drugs?

If you give proper attention and observe your child, you will be able to notice some unusual traits and behaviour. Some of the traits could be very common and are connected with growing up of your child. Those traits should be considered individually. If your child has really got addicted to some drug then some or all of the following traits or behaviour can be noticed by you.

1. Aloofness from the family and general family activities. Fascination for spending time alone. Could spend long time in the bathroom.
2. Unsatisfactory progress in his or her studies.
3. Sudden loss of appetite and body weight.
4. Loss of awareness towards health and hygiene.
5. Finding excuses to stay away from home for as long as possible. For example, leaving home early or coming home late.
6. Going around with a new set of friends, whom you have not seen or known before.
7. Frequent occurrence of body pain, running nose, watery eyes, nausea, loose motion, restlessness, etc.
8. Dark patches below the eyes, drooping eyelids, vacant look in the eyes and expressionless face.
9. Walking with faltering steps, talking faintly and unclearly.
10. Often feeling drowsy or sleepy.
11. Marks of needle in the arms, legs or in other parts of the body. This will mean that your child is injecting drugs in the body. This is a very serious matter and needs immediate attention.
12. Carrying strange looking packets with him.
13. Too many cigarette burns in the clothes and on the tips of fingers.
14. Developing rashes on the body.
15. Asking for money too often. Becoming greedy for money. Stealing household things. Compulsive lying. Losing moral values.

What will you do if you suspect your child of using drugs?

Let us assume that you have noticed all or quite a few of these above mentioned traits in your child and you suspect him / her of using drugs. It is natural to be tense, scared and perturbed about the thing.You will have to handle it very carefully. Please do not resist yourself by thinking that it is impossible for your child to do such things. Remember, anybody can fall prey to drug addiction, as anybody can fall sick with flu or common cold. Please do not ignore the situation by thinking that your child will come out of it naturally, your child may not have such a strong will power.

At the same time please do not overtly react with your child. Do not show any outburst of anger, emotion or fear to your child. React to the situation with calmness and caring. Talk to your child, try to be intimate with him / her and try to find out how deep has he / she has gone into it. Try to create a caring and warm atmosphere at home and spend as much time with your child as possible. Try to be a friend to him / her. Your love, attention and patience can work wonders in this kind of a situation.

Do not be dismayed and fall apart if you find out that your child has become an addict. That is certainly not that end of the road for him / her. Timely admission to a de-addiction centre can save the career of your child. Do not hasitate to come to us for help.