VISAKHAPATNAM: An increasing number of youngsters being addicted to alcohol and finding ways to get a kick with various sedatives is what worries the current generation parents in the city. Around 40 per cent cases registered in the Government Hospital for Mental Care (GHMC), Visakhapatnam, are of sedative/drug addicts, mostly youngsters.
While getting addicted to alcohol is one scenario, which doctors have been observing for years, there is a gradual increase in the cases of drug addicts too. The youngsters are finding ways to get stimulation or stress relief through chemicals. Besides ganja and Fortwin injections, available for asking in the city, the doctors have been receiving cases of the youngsters addicted to the odour of chemicals like whitener, fevicol, quickfix, fevibond, nail polish and also the chemicals in college laboratories.
“This year we have received four cases, where youngsters got addicted to the whitener, quickfix and other chemicals. As they are not banned or restricted in supply and are cheap to boot, students are taking fancy to them. Previously, people used to take cough syrups as a stimulant and now the fad is chemicals,” said S Radha Rani, GHMC medical superintendent.
As per the doctors, the toluene and trychloroethane, which are present in most of these sedatives, give an experience of pleasure for over four hours, depending on the intensity and quantity inhaled. According to experts, hydrocarbons in the solvents can mix with blood and can affect the central nervous system. The symptoms include behavioural changes like depression and insomnia which finally could lead to kidney, liver and lung damage.
Experts say that the addicts become violent during the withdrawal treatments. In some cases of severe addicts, the symptoms during withdrawal treatment include shivering of hands, fits and confused state, when patients feel like somebody is calling and whispering in their ears.
“In case of alcohol, there is five per cent chance for the children to get addicted due to genetic disorder, lavish life and influence of friends. Parental guidance is required for the youngsters right from formative years in all the cases. Previously people used to get addicted to alcohol from the age of 25 and by the time they turn 40, they used to get disorders and health problems. But now, the students from Intermediate level, get used to taking alcohol and they are crippled psychologically and health wise at the age of 25 itself. This is a matter of concern,” said Radha Rani.
Dreadful Facts