A SLIPPERY SLOPE & SILENT EPIDEMIC

His story is not unique. Mental health professionals across the country are witnessing an alarming rise in young professionals, students, and even children succumbing to drug abuse.

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In Anoop's case, it wasn't just a recreational habit—it was a desperate attempt to cope with the pressures of his demanding job, isolation, and an environment that seemed to offer little beyond work and partying.

Mental health professionals like Dr. C.J. John, chief psychiatrist at Medical Trust Hospital in Ernakulam, notes that substance abuse disorders can affect anyone, regardless of their family background. "Earlier, we used to say that people with substance abuse disorders come from adverse family backgrounds, but we now see that even individuals from stable, caring families are increasingly falling prey to drugs," he said.

Peer pressure, curiosity, and the desire to fit in often drive young people to experiment with substances. Notwithstanding the history of drug use, nobody can be sure who gets hooked and won't, he added.

What makes drug addiction particularly insidious is how it infiltrates an individual's life. Dr. Sagar T. Thevalappuram, senior consultant in psychiatry, district hospital Kozhencherry, explains, "Youth often get into drug addiction by chance. But it leads to deterioration at personal and familial levels, and may even lead to loss of life. It is important to start treatment early."