Anti-Drug (Narcotics and Drugs) Day is celebrated every year on June 26. On this day, we are reminded of the importance of awareness and efforts to prevent and overcome addiction. Let's take a deeper look at addiction, its prevention, and how to overcome it.

Addiction and Causal Factors

Addiction is a medical condition that affects the brain and changes a person's behaviours, so that they do not have the control to stop doing certain activities or using a substance, even when it is already self-harming. This is due to the physical and psychological effects caused by the substance or activity. Examples of addictions other than drugs include gambling and online games.

Some factors that can increase a person's risk of developing addiction include:

1. Biological factors

The increased risk of addiction can be influenced by genes, developmental stages, and even gender or ethnicity. Genetic factors and their expression that are influenced by the environment can account for about 40 – 60% of the risk for a person to become addicted. In addition, adolescents and people with mental disorders also have a greater risk of drug use and addiction than others.

2. Environmental factors

Exposure to drugs, social pressure, relationships with other peers who use drugs and lack of family support can increase the risk of addiction.

3. Psychological factors

Stress, depression, anxiety, and trauma can encourage a person to seek escape through drugs or addictive activities. 

Impact and Prevention of Addiction

Addiction can have a significant impact on physical, mental, and social health. These impacts include:

- Impact on the brain

Illegal drugs can alter the structure and function of the brain, thereby interfering with thinking, emotions, and memory processes.

- Impact on the health of other organs

Drug use can damage important organs such as the heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys.

- Impact on social relationships

Addiction can lead to problems in family, work, and friendship relationships.

- Impact on mental health

Drug addicts tend to experience extreme mood swings, anxiety disorders, changes in sleep habits, cognitive, psychotic and psychiatric disorders.

Efforts to prevent addiction must be carried out comprehensively and involve various parties. Here are some steps that can be taken:

- Raising awareness

Education and campaigns about the dangers of drugs need to be carried out widely and sustainably.

- Strengthening the family

Parents need to build open and supportive communication with their children.

- Creating a healthy environment

Prevent drug trafficking in schools, workplaces, and communities.

- Providing psychosocial support

Helps individuals who are prone to addiction to develop healthy coping mechanisms.

Therapy and Recovery Process

Therapy and the recovery process are important steps in overcoming addiction. Some of the ways that can be done include:

Certain medications

In depressive conditions, which are the cause of addiction, the use of certain medications, such as antidepressants, combined with behavioral therapy or counseling, can help overcome addiction.

- Periodic monitoring of the patient's condition

This is important to prevent recurrence and help overcome withdrawal, when a person first stops using drugs and experiences various physical and emotional symptoms.

- Counselling and Psychosocial Support

This can help a person stay focused on counseling and other psychotherapies, overcome emotional problems, improve coping mechanisms, change mindsets and behaviors related to addiction.

- Rehabilitation

It is a program that can help individuals to return to a normal and productive life.

The commemoration of Anti-Drug Day reminds us all of our role in the fight against drug abuse. By increasing awareness, education, and support, we can build a drug-free future for Indonesia.

Reference:

1. Nora D. Volkow, M.D. How Science Has Revolutionized the Understanding of Drug Addiction. National Institute on Drug Abuse. Last reviewed in July, 2020. Available at:https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/addiction-science/drugs-brain-behavior-science-of-addiction  

2. Siloam Hospitals Medical Team. Addiction (Addiction) - Causes, Symptoms, and How to Overcome It. Siloamhospitals. Last reviewed February 13, 2024. Available at:https://www.siloamhospitals.com/informasi-siloam/artikel/apa-itu-adiksi          

3. Rizal Fadli. Effects of Drugs on Physical and Mental Health. Hellodoc. Last reviewed June 07, 2023. Available at:https://www.halodoc.com/artikel/efek-narkoba-bagi-kesehatan-fisik-dan-mental-3