Beyond the Surface
Jammu and Kashmir is grappling with a crisis that strikes at the heart of our future: a devastating surge in drug addiction among our youth. While we often point to unemployment and the lingering shadows of past instability, the reality is far more intricate. Our young generation is battling a complex web of pressures, from the allure of “bad company” and simple curiosity to profound internal struggles of comparison and self-dissatisfaction. This multifaceted challenge is pushing many towards the destructive embrace of drugs.
The statistics are stark: an estimated 10 to 13.5 lakh individuals in J&K are engaged in some form of drug use, with the majority being youth aged 17 to 35 years. Heroin has become the dominant substance, accounting for over 84% of reported use. This is not merely a public health issue; it’s a crisis rooted in diverse psychological and social vulnerabilities that demand our immediate and compassionate attention.
The Many Paths to Addiction
For many young people, the journey into addiction isn’t solely driven by despair. Often, it begins with more immediate, seemingly innocuous triggers. Peer influence is a primary reason for initiation. The desire to “fit in,” to “look cool,” or to feel more confident in social settings can be a powerful motivator. Social media amplifies this, normalizing and glamorizing risky behaviors, making experimentation seem acceptable. Seeing friends or even public figures engaging with substances can tempt them to try, often with tragic consequences.
Curiosity also plays a significant role. The urge to experience something new, to escape boredom, or to simply “try it once” can lead to a first encounter with drugs. Unfortunately, what starts as a fleeting experiment can quickly spiral into dependence, especially with highly addictive substances like heroin.
Beneath these external influences, deeper psychological currents often run. In today’s hyper-connected world, our youth are constantly bombarded with curated images of success and happiness. This fosters “unfavorable social comparison,” where young individuals measure their own lives against idealized portrayals of others. This relentless comparison leads to sadness, anxiety, and stress. When their own lives feel less “fascinating” or fulfilling, it intensifies feelings of inadequacy and dissatisfaction.
This self-dissatisfaction extends to personal appearance, with body image dissatisfaction being a significant concern for both male and female youth, heavily influenced by societal beauty standards and social media. Coupled with economic dissatisfaction stemming from unemployment and unfulfilled aspirations, these feelings of being “less valued” can create profound hopelessness.
When faced with chronic stress and a perceived lack of opportunities, youth may develop “less patience” for long-term solutions. Drugs offer an immediate, albeit fleeting, escape from their harsh realities and emotional turmoil.
Healing Through Psychological Interventions
Addressing this crisis requires a profound shift in our approach, leveraging evidence-based psychological interventions to nurture the mental well-being and self-worth of our youth.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This therapy helps young individuals identify and change unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors that fuel dissatisfaction, anxiety, and the urge to use substances. It equips them with coping skills to manage stress and triggers, fostering self-control.- Motivational Interviewing (MI): For youth who may feel ambivalent or lack patience for change, MI helps elicit and strengthen their intrinsic motivation. It’s a collaborative approach that empowers them to find their own reasons for recovery, crucial for sustained engagement.
- Family-Based Therapies: Recognizing that adolescent drug use is often influenced by family dynamics, therapies like Functional Family Therapy (FFT) and Multidimensional Family Therapy (MDFT) work to heal maladaptive patterns, improve communication, and build a supportive home environment.
- Group Therapy: This modality provides a safe, non-judgmental space for shared experiences, reducing isolation and stigma. It allows youth to build essential interpersonal skills and strengthen healthy social support networks, directly countering the influence of “bad company.”
- Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT): With modules focusing on mindfulness, emotional regulation, and interpersonal skills, DBT holds significant promise. It addresses underlying emotional dysregulation, common in youth struggling with addiction and trauma, and is being culturally adapted for use in Kashmir.
Beyond these therapies, we must also foster resilience and self-acceptance in schools, challenge harmful digital narratives, and create pathways to purpose through vocational training and employment opportunities. When youth find purpose and contribute meaningfully, it directly combats feelings of worthlessness and provides a healthier alternative to the “easy escape” of drugs.
The drug addiction crisis in Jammu and Kashmir is a complex tapestry woven with threads of societal pressure, economic hardship, and profound psychological distress. By acknowledging and actively addressing these silent battles through comprehensive psychological interventions, we can begin to heal the inner scars of our youth. It is only by nurturing their mental well-being, fostering self-acceptance, and building robust support systems that we can truly empower them to reclaim their lives and build a healthier, more resilient Kashmir.
