Dear Doctor,

I have a friend who has become a nuisance because of taking drugs. He has lost two jobs before and is on the brink of being fired from his current job because of his unreliability and poor hygiene. What should I do to help him?

James

Dear James,

Your friend has landed himself in much trouble because of the bad habit of taking drugs. It seems he is addicted to drugs. Addiction is a state where one knows the harmful effects of the drugs and yet is unable to give it up. Some people are so hopelessly addicted that their entire world revolves around drugs.

Different kinds of abusive drugs and substances include cocaine, marijuana, LSD, cannabis, etc. They act on the body in different ways. But primarily all affect the brain causing behavioural changes and habituation. The individual craves to have it everyday. This distracts his mind and affects work efficiency.

Apart from habituation, these drugs also affect the social life of a person. In majority of cases, such people stop enjoying the company of other people and like to be by themselves. This causes loneliness and depression increasing the yearning for drugs. Drugs also affect nutrition of the person as they tend to neglect taking food.

And the same thing applies to hygiene. They tend to become totally negligent towards personal hygiene. In short they become apathetic towards themselves, their work and others.

Counseling is the first step necessary in helping a drug addict. He should be explained to about the harmful effects of the drug and benefits of giving it up. He should be convinced that he can give up the abusive substance with a strong will and help of others. Group counselling done by professional counselors is very useful, where many drug addicts are counseled together. It gives one a sense of confidence and hope when he sees that there are others in a similar predicament.

The family needs to be supportive. In no way should anyone be judgemental or critical. This would make him non cooperative after which it would be difficult to give him any treatment. Medicines (tranquilizers and sedatives) are available to help overcome troublesome withdrawal symptoms (those that occur on suddenly stopping the drug).

Medicines are available which help in deaddiction of certain abusive substances.

It is also important to give due attention to the nutrition and hygiene of the drug addict individual. Constant motivation and surveillance is necessary to see that he does not use the drugs while attempts are being done for de-addiction. Severe cases need to be admitted in de-addiction centres where they are treated under surveillance.

Dr Rachna Pande  is a specialist in internal medicine at Ruhengeri Hospital