Dr. Jagadindra Raychoudhury

Addiction of alcohol is a mature practice in our society. In Assam, during Ahom era country liquor was very much popular amidst almost all sections of people. Some of them became dhod consuming liquor and without any engagement during the tenure of Ahomraj, as a result dhodor Ali was constructed by dhod themselves which still persists.

During British colonial period they started trading of opium with China by 1915, but the biggest market marked its end after some years. The dealings of British east India Company, opium, traditionally used medicinally, became a non-medicinal business commodity during the late eighteen and throughout the nineteenth century. However, the British Indian monopoly on opium continued until India won independence in 1947.

A few decades ago, people who used to consume liquor needed license from the government, but the system has been abolished as time flew and the market became easily accessible for common people. The liquor shops were opened to all and are available at a short distance at present and it turns to expansion of consumers. The most alarming state of affairs is the changing of gender in alcohol consuming. Girls and women have started consuming alcohol in the so called aristocratic families to show off their standard and especially girls have started the same habit that shifts for their higher studies leaving their native place. But, the situation got worse when the consuming of alcohol started shifting towards drugs.

Worldwide, 19.5 million female aged 18 or above have used illicit drugs in the past years. Using of drugs especially during the pregnancy can be risky to the woman’s health as well as that of her children, in both the short and long term. It is well known to us that most drugs, including opiods and stimulants could potentially harm not only mother herself but also unborn baby.

Now, the point to be discussed is that why the women have started this practice? It is focused after a prolonged investigation that women themselves describe that they are using drugs for controlling weight, fighting exhaustion, coping with pain and attempts to self threat mental health.

Worldwide, 19.5 million female aged 18 or above have used illicit drugs in the past years. Using of drugs especially during the pregnancy can be risky to the woman’s health as well as that of her children, in both the short and long term. It is well known to us that most drugs, including opiods and stimulants could potentially harm not only mother herself but also unborn baby.

It is to be noted that men are more likely exposed to drugs than women. Almost all types of illicit drug use are more likely to result in emergency department visit or overdose deaths for men than women. But, now the earlier concept turns changing day by day. However, recent epidemiologic surveys suggest that this gap between men and women has narrowed in recent decades.

According to survey in the early 1980s estimated male/ female ratio of alcohol use disorder as 5:1 in contrast to more recent surveys that reports ratio of approximately 3:1. The most recent study of substance use from National Epidemiologic survey on alcohol showed that men were 2:2 times more likely than women to have drug abuse and 1.9 times more likely to have drug dependence. Since the use or addition of drugs were more focused on men than women till 1990 but the conception has completely changed when U.S. agency began their investigation on it and found more women associated in this regard.

The age group of young women ranges from 8 to 22 is very crucial period because during this period they are maturing both physically as well as mentally. During this period they are maintaining their identity, a sense of self, and self-worth. The adolescent years are the most significant years of development, years of crucial to a young women’s health and success later down the road. A recent study by the National center on Addiction and substance Abuse in Columbia University revealed that girls and young women commonly initiate substance abuse during their crucial years. Of course, their reasons for trying drugs are tied to the stress and pressure experienced in the transitional period.

The use of drugs by girls and women are very crucial in the state of affairs which reflect a worst condition in our society. In this regard, many reputed organizations investigated the matter and socked out the factors under which they started different journey in their life span and the following factors might be responsible for it.

Depression and Mental illness: It is very much common to girls. Out of one third of high school girls reports regular feeling of sadness or hopeless, as a result tried to attempt suicide. Depressed girls often tried self medicated by using drugs.

Stress and Inability to cope: In comparison to males, females have a tendency to internalize their reactions to stress. According to the survey, 41% of young women report their inability to cope with stress as a result using of drugs. Stressful life comes to their life due to different events like death or illness in family or friends, parental divorce and may be change of school.

Low self- Esteem: Low self confidence is another part of girls or young women. Body image and social image are often top priorities for high school girls who want to fit. They want to lose weight and make them popular along with their beauty. In this regards they start drinking, drug use and smoking habit. They believe that using of drugs is the answer to this entire problem.

History of Trauma: It is reported that during the treatment of drugs using girls report that sexual or physical abused in their life time. It is to be observed that the girls who have been sexually abused are likely to smoke, drink and use of drugs than those who are not abused.

A recent report of Assam is very grim because the rate of drugs abuse rise with a rapid rate than earlier. According to a former female drug user, who recently underwent de-addiction therapy, has claimed that drug abuse among girls have substantial increased in the state. The scenario is particularly alarming in upper Assam. The present situation in Guwahati is at present almost out of control. According to the report, in Assam 1.9 lakh people need help for cannabis related problems, o.5 per cent people in the age group of 10-75 years use ganja and in the age group of 10-17 years are addicted to different illicit drugs.

Drugs addiction and abuse to girls or women in present context is very alarming which has indirectly a great impact on the society. To overcome this deadly situation parents should have a constant vigilance to their daughters and try to enhance the communication between parents and their siblings, so that they will not deviate from the original path. It is to be noted that any sort of pressure should be minimized by guardians or well wishers to make free use of any kind of drugs and alcohol.