Report on Magnitude of Substance abuse in India- 2019 27/06/2019 – Posted in: Daily News

REPORT ON MAGNITUDE OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE IN INDIA- 2019

 

For: Mains

Topics covered: Highlights of the report, Binge-watching, Alcohol consumptions, Drugs

 

News Flash

A new report released by the National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre, AIIMS,  in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment on the magnitude of substance abuse in India showed that substance use exists in all population groups and alcohol was the most common psychoactive substance used by Indians.

Psychoactive substances include caffeine, alcohol, cocaine, LSD, nicotine, and cannabis.

 

Findings

  • Alcohol consumption, drugs, internet addiction on the rise among youngsters.
  • Of the 150 patients at the Muktangan de-addiction centre, at least 10 per cent are aged below 20.
  • The most common addictions are that of marijuana and alcohol.
  • Children aged 15 or 16 are undergoing treatment for alcohol addiction.
  • 4.6 lakh children and 18 lakh adults need help for inhalant use (harmful use/dependence)
  • The rise of “Over The Top (OTT) platforms” has fostered an environment where youngsters require instant gratification in order to stay entertained.
  • The streaming platform, Netflix, has taken advantage of the younger generation’s alarming rate of content consumption.

 

Binge-watching: Netflix/ Tik-Tok/ PUBG

  • Netflix has prompted today’s youth to engage in “binge-watching” since entertainment produces the neurotransmitter dopamine (a chemical that evokes pleasure); viewers then decide to watch numerous episodes of one show to induce sensations associated with dopamine.
  • Mirroring the effects of substance addiction, increasing tolerance for dopamine urges people to take part in similar sessions that are longer.
  • Cliffhangers release the body’s fight-or-flight stress hormones, actively keeping the brain captivated. The same science applies to the app TikTok, which distributes 13 million clips daily of people lip-syncing to songs.
  • This binge-watching can lead to a lack of sleep.
  • Since binge-watching interferes with sleep, a critical aspect with regard to normal functioning, people’s perceptions of reality is distorted.
  • As a result of both addiction and impaired sensory input, people often feel isolated and lonely; this results in common mental disorders such as anxiety and depression.
  • PUBG is another OTT platform and causes players to play for lengthy periods of time. The addiction then facilitates the formation of mental disorders.

 

 

Source: Indian Express

 

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