Changing scenario of addiction psychiatry: Challenges and opportunities

• Published in: Indian journal of psychiatry Vol. 62; no. 3; pp. 235 - 241
• Main Author: Dalal, P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Mysore Wolters Kluwer India Pvt. Ltd 01-05-2020; Medknow Publications and Media Pvt. Ltd; Medknow Publications & Media Pvt. Ltd; Wolters Kluwer - Medknow
• Subjects: Addictions; Addictive behaviors; Alcohol; Anesthesia; Benzodiazepines; Cocaine; Disabilities; Disease; Drug abuse; Drug dependence; Drug use; Ecstasy; Fatalities; Health; Health aspects; Heroin; Internet; Legislation; Marijuana; Methamphetamine; Mortality; Narcotics; Opioids; Opium; Opium trade; Pharmaceuticals; Population; Prescription drugs; Presidential Address; Public health; Substance abuse; Substance use; Tobacco; Trends; Young adults; India; Asia; East Asia
• ISSN: 0019-5545; 1998-3794
• DOI: 10.4103/psychiatry.IndianJPsychiatry_346_20

According to the Global status report (2018) on alcohol and health, alcohol is the most common substance of abuse in the world, with an estimated burden of 100.4 million cases globally. [1] Besides, a study that looked into the trends of substance use from 1995 to 2018 showed that although there was an overall decrease in consumption of tobacco and alcohol, there was an alarming increase in the use of other illegal substances which expose the society to new challenges on fronts of recognition, legislation, and treatment as well. [3] The 5th WHO-UNODC Expert Consultation discussed the rising problem of nonmedical use of prescription medications, including opioids and benzodiazepines, as a severe public health problem. Indian Scene In February 2019, The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India and National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre, AIIMS, New Delhi, released the report on the Magnitude of Substance Use in India that presented the major findings of the National Survey on Extent and Pattern of Substance Use in India.