India Reports Growing Number of Addicts Seeking Help
Posted on September 14, 2010Self-medicating is a process that has been around for generations. Whether the individual doesn’t want to see a doctor, can’t afford the visit or simply can’t find the time, the alternative is to treat an ailment to the best of his or her ability.
The problem with self-medication is that we don’t always understand the risks associated with certain medications. And, as this recent Times of India report indicates, self-medication can easily lead to dangerous addictions.
In India, treatment centers are known as de-addiction centers and the number of individuals darkening their doors for help continues to grow. Patients are being treated for addictions to cough syrups, sleeping pills, aspirin, anti-spasmodics and painkillers. These addictions are on the rise as people are self-medicating without understanding the risk of addiction.
Individuals in India are developing addictions for over-the-counter drugs to treatcommon ailments such as headaches, cramps and sleeplessness. They are also taking codeine, cyclopam, aspirin, spasm proxyvon, acetaminophen, opiates, ephedrine and other painkillers.
As one Indian specialist notes, it only takes the human body three days to get addicted to a drug. As a result, any individual who takes a drug for three consecutive days is at risk of addiction. While this development process centers on the physical addiction, a psychological addiction can develop as well.
One Wisdom Hospital psychiatrist notes addiction could easily be triggered by physiological or psychological reasons. When the addiction is psychological, the need to keep popping pills is intense, even if the individual is physically fine.
