Understanding Substance Abuse in Kashmir: Challenges and Pathways to Recovery
Substance abuse is a global problem, affecting millions of people across the world each year. In fact, in many countries, addiction to drugs and alcohol is on the rise. The same can be said for India, the country with the largest population than anywhere else in the world.
When it comes to India, in regions such as Kashmir, which are heavily shaped by complex social, political and economic pressures, addiction can take a deeper root and prove harder to overcome compared to other countries or even other regions in India.
Kashmir is a region with its fair share of issues. Addiction issues in Kashmir demand particular attention, understanding and compassion in order to overcome.
In a recent study, approximately 2.8% of the population in the Kashmir Valley (approximately 52,404 individuals) are known to be dependent on drugs, with 95% of these individuals addicted to heroin.
In order to address this, this article explores the growing issue of substance abuse in Kashmir, the unique challenges people face when trying to overcome their addiction whilst living in Kashmir and the different pathways to recovery. By shedding light on both the problem and the routes to recovery, we are keen to highlight that addiction recovery is possible in Kashmir and beyond.
Addiction in Kashmir
Over the past few decades, substance abuse issues in Kashmir have significantly compounded and are now a public health emergency. Local studies from the government and even local hospitals and health providers suggest a rise in drug abuse, especially when it comes to young people in India and the Kashmir area. While addiction is not new to the region, more and more people are abusing different types of drugs and substances.
When it comes to India, cannabis has been the most commonly abused drug historically. Likewise, until recently, opioids were also one of the most prevalently abused drugs in the Kashmir area. However, in recent years, heroin and synthetic opioids have been on the rise, as well as more and more people abusing prescription painkillers, sedatives, sleeping tablets and alcohol.
Likewise, injectable drug abuse is also on the rise, with rising concerns around infectious diseases and mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, paranoia and schizophrenia.
Who is Most Affected by Drug and Alcohol Abuse in Kashmir?
When it comes to drug and alcohol abuse in Kashmir, young people are among the most affected. In fact, recent studies in the area highlight that the majority of people entering rehab centres for treatment in the Kashmir area are aged between 18 and 30 years old.
Likewise, across the rest of India and indeed the rest of the world, men are more likely to become addicted to drugs and alcohol than women. In areas where poverty is prevalent, addiction is also more likely to exist. These issues have been discussed in broader public health reporting, including articles on mental well-being and wider social issues.
Barriers to Treatment
Addiction can exist anywhere, and no matter where it exists, it is always complex and difficult to overcome. However, in Kashmir and the surrounding areas, the challenges are even more layered and deeply concerning. Below are just some of the challenges that people who live in Kashmir face, highlighting how difficult it can be for people who live in Kashmir to overcome an addiction issue.
Socio-Political Stress and Trauma
Decades of instability across India and areas such as Kashmir have left many people, especially young people, carrying unresolved psychological stress and trauma, which often leads to severe mental health issues. Things such as exposure to conflict, poor education, unemployment and political and economic uncertainty can easily lead to mental health issues, which can then put people at risk of developing an addiction issue. This is because addictive substances are often used as a coping mechanism and crutch in order to attempt to deal with mental health issues.
Stigma Surrounding Addiction
In many families across India and Kashmir, addiction is still viewed as a moral failing, rather than a disease or health issue. The stigma that surrounds addiction and even mental health issues puts people off from attending detox and rehab. This often then pushes individuals into hiding and masking their addiction or mental health issues, which only ever leads to increased addiction and dependency. Individuals and families who suffer from addiction issues may hide the issue from their family, friends or doctors for years in fear of judgement.
Limited Access to Addiction Treatment
Whilst treatment, detox and rehab services do exist, they are often concentrated in specific areas when it comes to countries such as India. There are more rehab centres in cities and major towns compared to rural areas of India, meaning that if you do live in a rural area, then you are less likely to get access to treatment or be able to travel to get the treatment you need. Rural populations may struggle to access qualified doctors, mental health support such as therapy and counselling and affordable inpatient rehab treatment.
If you live in a rural area across Kashmir, then you are more likely to experience longer waiting lists, a lack of qualified doctors, a lack of inpatient rehab support and treatment, as well as limited aftercare support and access to therapy. Unfortunately, this means that a lot of people who need treatment and aftercare support simply don’t get the chance to recover in the first place or simply relapse after they do attend rehab treatment.
Economic Pressures in Kashmir
It is no secret that private rehab treatment can be expensive. Unfortunately, for a lot of people who live in Kashmir, economic and financial pressure and strain mean that paying for their own treatment simply is not an option. Across the world, the cost of attending drug and alcohol or rehab varies, but it usually costs thousands of pounds. For families already struggling financially, treatment may feel out of reach, leading to a relapse rather than recovering for good.
Barriers to Seeking Help
Whilst there are significant barriers to accessing drug and alcohol treatment, one of the biggest issues the people of Kashmir need to overcome is the barrier to wanting to seek help and overcome stigma. Despite the growing awareness around drug and alcohol addiction in Kashmir, many people struggling with addiction never opt to attend rehab due to a number of reasons listed below.
The Fear of Stigma and Social Isolation
As discussed above, unfortunately, the fear of being labelled or excluded from society remains one of the strongest barriers when it comes to people getting access to the treatment they need for their addiction. In tight-knit communities in Kashmir, confidentiality concerns can stop individuals from seeking treatment altogether.
The Lack of Information and Awareness
Many families across Kashmir and India are simply unaware that addiction recovery is possible, or that effective treatment exists beyond attending inpatient rehab treatment, which many people are hesitant to attend due to the stigma that surrounds addiction. The sheer lack of education and misunderstandings surrounding addiction and rehab treatment mean that a lot of people across Kashmir simply do not know how to gain access to treatment.
A Lack of Local Resources
Although things are improving year on year and resources have improved, there are still limited rehab treatment options available to people in certain areas of Kashmir. For example, there is a significant lack of therapists and local counsellors specifically trained in addiction treatment.
Routes to Addiction Recovery in Kashmir
Despite the above challenges that face the people of Kashmir, recovery from drug and alcohol addiction is possible, and there are numerous different routes to recovery should you need it.
Rehabilitation and Detox Services
There are numerous rehab and detox services across Kashmir, usually in the more built-up areas. For example, there are numerous hospitals and private facilities that offer detox treatment, which is designed to help people to withdraw from drugs and alcohol safely.
NGOs and Community Groups
Local NGOs also play a really important role in addiction recovery in Kashmir and India as they offer a number of different outreach programmes, peer support groups, a number of awareness campaigns across workplaces and schools and low-cost or free therapy and counselling to those who qualify.
There are also a number of different faith-based organisations that provide emotional support to those suffering from a drug or alcohol addiction. These organisations help individuals reconnect with their life’s purpose and also help with forming healthier and recovery-friendly habits and relationships.
Family and Community Encouragement
Addiction recovery is rarely ever successful in isolation by yourself. Support from family, loved ones and friends is incredibly important when it comes to addiction recovery. Family support improves the likelihood of you successfully recovering significantly, especially when relatives receive guidance on how to avoid enabling behaviours and encourage better, healthier routines.
Tips for Families in Kashmir Who Are Seeking Help and Support
When someone is suffering from addiction, families are often the first to notice that something is wrong. However, many families across India and Kashmir might feel unprepared or unsure about how to respond or help.
If you are a loved one worried that your family or friend might be suffering from an addiction to drugs or alcohol, then it is important to recognise the signs and symptoms that someone is suffering from an addiction issue.
There are a number of signs that someone is suffering from an addiction issue, including sudden mood swings, withdrawal from family, friends or habits, as well as financial strain. Likewise, their health might start to deteriorate, as will their mental health.
How to Start the Conversation
If you suspect that your loved one is struggling with a drug or alcohol addiction, then you might be feeling overwhelmed about approaching the conversation. Approaching the issue calmly and privately is the best approach. Likewise, you should also avoid blame or confrontation where possible, always remembering to ask open-ended questions and emphasise your concern rather than your need to control.
Finding Treatment in Kashmir
As discussed above, there is likely to be better access to treatment in India and Kashmir in more built-up areas such as cities or towns. You should start by researching treatment options online, by looking for treatment that includes detox therapy and aftercare support.
Caring for Yourself
If you are looking after someone with an addiction issue, then it is important to also look after yourself in the process. Supporting someone through addiction and rehab is emotionally exhausting, which is why families and loved ones should seek therapy or peer support for themselves in order to avoid burnout, stress or depression.
Where to Get Treatment in Kashmir
If you are suffering from an addiction to drugs or alcohol and live in Kashmir, then it is important to seek help.
If you need immediate help and support, then you can call the free national helpline by calling 1800110031 for advice on where to get treatment, what treatment might mean for you, and to discuss what types of drugs and substances you might be addicted to.
Likewise, if you need to attend drug and alcohol rehab for your addiction issues, then there are a number of rehab centres in the Kashmir area, some of which are listed below for you.
- The Shifa Foundation - +91-7889535400
- Aaghaz Drug De-Addiction Centre - +91-9149622795
- HNSS Drug Rehabilitation Centre - +91-9796915900
- Parivartan Foundation - +91-9906907039
Conclusion
Substance abuse in Kashmir is a serious and growing concern, but it is important to remember that if you suffer from a drug addiction, no matter where you are, there is hope and support. Unfortunately, addiction thrives in silence, stigma and economic strain, which is why recovery in Kashmir might seem out of reach for thousands of people.
However, with improved access to treatment, detox and rehab services, greater awareness of addiction treatment and stronger community support, many lives can be saved.
On a wider level, there needs to be better communication and collaboration between NGOs, government policy and local communities to ensure that the people of Kashmir have better access to treatment, better education surrounding addiction in schools and workplaces, as well as more effective addiction prevention campaigns.
https://kashmirpulse.com/health/understanding-substance-abuse-in-kashmir-challenges-and-pathways-to-recovery/114127.html
