Drug addiction, also known as Substance Use Disorder includes use of legal or restricted substances which may be Alcohol, Nicotine (Cigarettes, Tobacco), Cannabis (Bhang, Ganja), Opioids (Afeem, Heroin), Stimulants (Cocaine), Hallucinogens (L.S.D.) and others. It also includes use of prescription medications when taken in excessive amounts for longer duration of time than intended.

Features suggestive of Substance Use Disorder are:

– Cravings. Patient gets strong desire or urge to take/use the substance. He keeps thinking about obtaining the drug/substance by any means and consuming it.

– Social problems. Patient continues to use the substance despite knowing that it is affecting his social and interpersonal life. He may be unable to go to work or perform his daily routine activities because of being under intoxication of the substance.

– Time spent for substance use. A great deal of time is spent in procuring the substance, using the substance and recovering from the effects/intoxication of the substance.

– Inability to control use of Drug/Substance. Patient may try to quit using the drug/substance, but finds it very difficult. There may be many unsuccessful attempts to quit the substance.

– Tolerance. Patient may have to gradually increase the amount or dose of substance he uses to get the desired effect. Or in other words, the patient does not get adequate ‘high’ with the amount or dose of the substance that he uses regularly.

– Withdrawal. It is a syndrome with a cluster of features. Withdrawal is seen when there has been a reduction or total cessation in the use of substance that was used for long duration and in high doses. Different substances of abuse have different withdrawal features, ranging from mild – moderate discomfort to severe confusion, seizures and altered consciousness.

Withdrawal features of Alcohol – Tremors, fever, sweating, high pulse rate, nausea and vomiting, insomnia, irritability, anxiety, confusion, hallucinations, seizures.

Withdrawal features of Opioids – Irritability, nausea and vomiting, profuse sweating, diarrhea, muscle pain, abdominal pain, runny nose, lacrimation, insomnia.

WHAT SHOULD BE DONE

Consult your Psychiatrist. Accompany the patient and tell all the details about the substance use correctly to the Doctor. Discuss the treatment options and plan with your Doctor. Admission is advised according to the severity of substance use or for therapy. Treatment consists of medical management and Psychotherapy when the patient is physically stable and out of severe withdrawal.