DRUG ADDICTION : THE STATISTICS

Drug Addiction in Pakistan

Drug addiction has reached epidemic levels across the globe withapproximately 247 million drug users worldwide.1 In America, the problem is no better as over 10 percent of individuals 12 years of age and over have used an illicit drug in the past month in the United States.2 As a matter of fact, nearly 21 million Americans ages 12 and older had a substance use problem in 2015.3 United States use two-thirds of illegal drugs worldwideExcluding alcohol and tobacco, the top ten drugs used across the world were: cannabis, MDMA, cocaine, amphetamines, LSD, magic mushrooms, prescribed & non-prescribed opioid medication, nitrous oxide, ketamine and poppers.4 Nothing is off limits with 10 percent of drug users globally having purchased drugs online via the dark net. 5 percent of respondents said they did not consume drugs before accessing them through dark-net markets.5 Overdose deaths involving prescription opioids have quadrupled since 1999, and so have sales of these prescription drugs. From 1999 to 2015, more than 183,000 people have died in the U.S. from overdoses related to prescription opioids.6 Patterns such as this suggest that drug abuse in America is steadily and significantly on the rise.
Marijuana
Since its discovery thousands of years ago, marijuana use has steadily risen to the levels it is at now. Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug with over 22.2 million people having used the drug in the past month according to the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.7
Synthetic Drugs
Synthetic marijuana is now a major role player too, being second in line to naturally grown cannabis among high school seniors.8 Other synthetic drugs, such as bath salts, have grown quickly in popularity since first entering the European drug market in 2008 and making their way to the US a year or so later.
Cocaine
Cocaine is far more popular in foreign countries like Scotland and Brazil, but the drug still was used by over 5 percent of all individuals in the US between the ages of 18 and 25 in the past year. In addition, over 16 percent of people 26 and over in the United States have used cocaine in their lifetime.9
Heroin
Heroin is still most widely used in countries like Afghanistan where the substance is harvested from opium poppy pods grown there. In recent years, growing popularity for the drug in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States led to Baltimore, Maryland, being dubbed the heroin capital of America.10 Heroin and other opioids were to blame for approximately 1.3 million emergency room visits in 2014 according to a government report. The 2014 numbers reflect a 64 percent increase for inpatient care and a 99 percent jump for emergency room treatment compared to figures from 2005. 11
Prescription Drugs
Prescription painkillers are one of the most commonly abused substances with between 26.4 million and 36 million people abuse opioids worldwide. An estimated 2.1 million people in the United States suffering from substance use disorders related to prescription opioid pain relievers. The United States accounts for almost 100 percent of the world total for the drug hydrocodone (Vicodin) and 81 percent for the oxycodone (Percocet).12 Abuse of these drugs has become increasingly common among suburbanites, likely due to their availability.
Hallucinogens and Stimulants
LSD is growing in popularity among young adults with close to 7 percent of 12th graders using LSD in their lifetime. Over 4 percent of 12th graders have used LSD in the past year.13 Inhalants are far easier to come across. This may explain why national surveys indicate that nearly 21.7 million Americans aged 12 and older have used inhalants at least once in their lives.14
>>> READ THIS NEXT: How to Motivate a Loved One to Get Help
Alcohol
Drinking too much alcohol can lead to both short-term and long-term health problems. Alcohol is also one of the major reasons for premature death. One in 10 deaths among working-age adults aged 20–64 years are due to excessive alcohol use.15 Excessive alcohol consumption is responsible for an average of 88,000 deaths each year.16
Here are some more facts to consider regarding the use of alcohol:
By age 15, about 33 percent of teens have had at least 1 drink.17
By age 18, about 60 percent of teens have had at least 1 drink.17
In 2015, 7.7 million young people ages 12–20 reported that they drank alcohol beyond “just a few sips” in the past month17
Alcohol use contributed to more than 200 diseases and injury-related health conditions, most notably DSM–IV alcohol dependence, liver cirrhosis, various forms of cancer, and injuries.17
About 1.3 million adults received treatment for AUD at a specialized facility in 2015.18 Nicotine and Alcohol 2010 statistics
Drug Addiction Treatment
All of these statistics and facts represent the choices of millions of people. There is no doubt that drug addiction is a very serious problem. But you personally can make the right choice right now. Whether you want help for yourself or your loved one, it’s time to reach out for professional help. At Michael’s House, our treatment facility is located in beautiful Palm Springs, California. Our facility is the breath of fresh air you’ve been looking for. We are a full-service program that provides interventions, detox, mental health care and addiction treatment. We truly care and will do all we can to help you leave treatment fully equipped to manage your health moving forward. If you or your loved one is addicted to drugs, please call Us.

How to Treat Drug Addiction in Pakistan

Motivation

Drug addiction is considered bad for many reasons and major among them all is that it destroys families. When a person starts drugs, for any reason, they don’t look through the boundaries. Each drug user can quit but it will need radical steps. Some drugs are easy to quit while others leave severe side effects. Once it is stopped for a while then it will be upon the person to go through that similar life cycle or leave it forever. There should be punishment only if there is a crime committed while being under the influence but if a person is going through any rough patch, it is better to help him because at the end of this darkest life, he will not have friends, families or even enemies.

Never trust a person who either sells drugs or use it. Even if he is your father, he will betray you. I have seen people leaving their kids just so they can get high.
Anonymous Dealer

If you know anyone who is going through drug addiction, it is important to help them by every mean possible because 90 percent of the times, they cannot make this decision as drugs ruin brain cells. Being violent towards them will only increase their urge. Most of the drug addicts keep using it so they can forget about the harsh realities of life. Even if they are willing to stop using it, people’s violent behavior towards them may not help at all in their decision to quit. So it is highly recommended to know the patient and start the treatment. We have scientific approach as well radical approach towards this quitting process. It may seem harsh or unfair but when we asked from an ex addict, he responded in a different way than science would have.

It is not easy to quit, tears and words will never make a user to quit that easy. Be tough, rough and stay firm during the process because it will be painful like a virus but at the end you will see fruits.
Anonymous Dealer

We have gathered two solutions, one according to the books and how science wants to resolve it. And second is a radical solution to this problem which was recommended by Anonymous ex-drug user and dealer. Either way, it is a painful and heart breaking process for the families who are suffering because of this. We hope our information will help you resolve this issue before its too late.

Drug treatment in pakistan

Common Treatment for Drug Addicts in Pakistan
Patient should be sent to rehab as they are qualified and experienced in addressing patients need. Based on scientific research the following key principles should be considered while carrying out the treatment:

Addiction is complicated but treatable. It affects brain function and behavior.
There is no universal treatment as each body reacts in different way.
People need to have readily available treatment.
Effective treatment addresses all of the patient’s needs, not just his or her drug use.
Staying in treatment long enough is critical for better recovery.
Counselling and other behavioral therapies like Narcotics Anonymous are the most commonly used treatment.
Medications are often an important part of treatment and required during withdrawals, especially when combined with behavioral therapies.
Treatment plan must be reviewed very often to suite patient’s need.
Treatment should address other possible mental disorders and their solutions.
Detoxification is only the first stage of treatment.
Treatment doesn’t need to be voluntary to be effective.
Drug use during treatment must be monitored continuously and reduced over the period of time.
Treatment programs should test patients for HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B and C, tuberculosis, and other infectious diseases as continuous use of drugs might have lead them to suffer from those illnesses as well. In treatment centers or Rehabilitation centers, patients are taught about infectious diseases.
After withdrawal symptoms have faded away, it is important for patient to follow the basic principles:

Stop using drugs
Stay drug-free
Be productive in the family, at work and in society
Radical Approach For Drug Abuse Treatment
Radical approach doesn’t require rehabilitation centers or treatment plans. Some people just cant quit and even the families may not be able to afford rehabilitation centers. This treatment and approach is not tested by scientist as it is straight forward and harsh but according to an ex-dealer & ex-user, it will be the most effective one!

Don’t take drug problem as a small issue because it can change shape of society, family and culture. If they don’t quit for lacking will power then make them quit before it is too late.
Anonymous Dealer

According to an Ex-Dealer, following steps should be considered to make treatment work:

Add sedative and keep them asleep for 7 days or bit more.
Keep them locked for 7 days as they may get agitated and aggressive during detoxification “DETOX”.
Keep an eye on them and don’t let them out of sight.
For first 7 days, have a heart of lion, don’t believe their tears, their voices and put a stone on heart.
They will yell and scream, don’t let it effect your emotions. It is a test for you and the patient. You become weak then they will stay prey to addiction.
Take them away from individuals and society for few weeks till the withdrawal ends.
Delete their contacts and don’t let them use anything related to social media and communication.
Don’t hit them or curse them but treat them with love and care.
Don’t make them feel they are alone, keep reminding them that the family stands by them.
If you survive first two weeks of hell, heaven will surely wait for you at the corner.
Anonymous Addict

Once 2 weeks are passed in loneliness without any interference from outside, patients will starts to come back slowly. He will start thinking normal again. He will be apologetic, don’t ruin it, accept it. Acceptance is what they will be seeking, so accept new person. Keep them away from all the contacts for a good long month or more till they are able to understand what they had done wrong and how far they had come.

Radical process is harsh but you are saving life, so don’t be sad or feel bad during the process. It will end and peace will prevail.

Once the drugs are out of system, they will become normal. First few weeks will be tough and rough but don’t let emotions come in between. Withdrawal symptoms will not be easy to go through but they eventually end. After the treatment, keep an eye on them, don’t let them think the same way that had lead them to do drugs at first place. And most of all, keep them away from that circle because it will take only one more smoke of ICE or Heroin or any other drug and they will be back in problem. Help them, keep them away and appreciate what they have achieved.

What Is Drug Addiction?

Environment

Addiction is a disease that affects your brain and behavior. When you’re addicted to drugs, you can’t resist the urge to use them, no matter how much harm the drugs may cause.

Drug addiction isn’t about just heroin, cocaine, or other illegal drugs. You can get addicted to alcohol, nicotine, opioid painkillers, and other legal substances.

At first, you may choose to take a drug because you like the way it makes you feel. You may think you can control how much and how often you use it. But over time, drugs change how your brain works. These physical changes can last a long time. They make you lose self-control and can lead you to damaging behaviors.

Addiction vs. Abuse
Drug abuse is when you use legal or illegal substances in ways you shouldn’t. You might take more than the regular dose of pills or use someone else’s prescription. You may abuse drugs to feel good, ease stress, or avoid reality. But usually, you’re able to change your unhealthy habits or stop using altogether.

Addiction is when you can’t stop. Not when it puts your health in danger. Not when it causes financial, emotional, and other problems for you or your loved ones. That urge to get and use drugs can fill up every minute of the day, even if you want to quit.

Effect on Your Brain
Your brain is wired to make you want to repeat experiences that make you feel good. So you’re motivated to do them again and again.

The drugs that may be addictive target your brain’s reward system. They flood your brain with a chemical called dopamine. This triggers a feeling of intense pleasure. So you keep taking the drug to chase that high.