We have always learned that addiction is harmful to health. But, many people fall prey to addiction because of the stress, high society norms. We are focussing on addiction problems in society for the next six episodes. We are going to learn about various aspects of deaddiction to have a better lifestyle. 

Awareness is the only solution to all addiction problems. At Medcircle, we are presenting the Ask The Expert Series on De-Addiction titled Bindas Bol with Dr. Kumar Kamble.

Dr.Kumar Kamble is an expert Psychiatrist, De-addiction Specialist, Sexologist, Speaker, Mental and Sexual Health Educator. He is also associated with the Umang Clinic. He has worked with King Edward Memorial Hospital in the Deaddiction center for 4 years as a Medical Office Coordinator. Based on his rich clinical expertise in de-addiction, we have come up with the next series on De-addiction.

Addiction affects brain 

Dr.Kumar Kamble says, “Addiction and drugs mainly affect the brain. The activities of the brain are hampered. The feeling, emotions, thinking, and consciousness can be affected due to addiction. Drugs can hamper the functions of the body and the brain both. Drugs generally come in contact with the “reward center” of the brain which results in a happy experience or “euphoria” to which you can get addicted. This is a specialty of drugs which results in addiction.”

Causes of addiction 

Dr.Kamble explains,” The causes which make you more prone to addiction 

Biological: Genetic factors like if your family members are suffering from addiction, then there are higher chances that you might suffer from addiction. 

Social: Peer Pressure, friends, and company.

Novelty seeking

Psychological causes: Stress and tension”

Addiction is a disorder and needs the correct line of treatment 

Dr.Kamble informs, “Addiction is a disorder that affects your health. Smoking, snorting, injection are some of the routes of administering the drugs. The impact of addiction increases with the dosage of drugs. Once the level of drugs in the body is reduced, the addict gets attracted to more drugs. This makes the people get trapped in the vicious cycle of drugs and addiction. Eventually, this leads to decreased focus, attention to oneself, lack of attention on family, low productivity, and financial troubles 

The ultimate goal of the people suffering from addiction is acquiring and consuming drugs. The person who has an addiction is also viewed from a negative point of view by everyone. Breaking this vicious cycle of addiction is very important. People suffering from addiction generally have withdrawal symptoms that are difficult to deal with. To negate these withdrawal symptoms, the person keeps on consuming drugs. People who suffer from addiction should not be viewed negatively and must be supported as addiction is suffering. They should not be punished instead given treatment for the same. For example, a hypertensive patient needs to consume antihypertensive to keep blood pressure in control and prevent heart disease. In a similar fashion, addiction also needs treatment. 

People with addiction problems are vulnerable to drugs

Dr.Kamble says, “People suffering from addiction are vulnerable to drugs and due to this, get trapped in the vicious cycle of addiction. Your willpower has no association with addiction. Generally, they lose the power to understand what is right and wrong in life. They try their level best to set themselves free from addiction. Will power might differ from person to person. People with good will power also become vulnerable to addiction.”

“Forcing an addict” is a double-edged sword 

Dr.Kamble states, “The family members should initiate them for treatment at specialist doctors. Many people with addiction problems respond well to the treatment as it tries to help them. For some, forcing them towards treatment can help. Awareness is very important in such cases. Addiction is not a habit like your daily routine. We are all aware that addiction and smoking are injurious to health. Addiction and smoking can lead to negative consequences which should be known to the people with addiction problems.”  

Dr.Kamble states,” Attraction to the drugs is the top priority in the people with addiction problems. They neglect the negative consequence and go under the influence of drugs."

(Edited by Dr.Rati Parwani)