AHMEDABAD: It is ironic for a dry state but data tabled in Rajya Sabha recently indicated that about 4.3% of the population of Gujarat – accounting to about 19.53 lakh persons – are addicted to alcohol.
The data, shared by A Narayanaswamy, MoS (social justice & empowerment), cited the figures collected during National Drug Use Survey 2019 by AIIMS.
According to the data, 4.3% of people in Gujarat had alcohol dependence. This is even higher than Rajasthan's 2.3%, Bihar's 1% and Jammu & Kashmir’s 4%. The national average however was 17.1%, mentioned in the answer.
The answer also said about 1.46% of the population of Gujarat (6.64 lakh) was addicted to opioids, 1.38% to sedatives (6.28 lakh) and 0.8% to cannabis (3.64 lakh). Moreover, 36,000 (0.08%) were addicted to inhalants.
No users of cocaine, amphetamine and hallucinogens in Gujarat: Survey
Moreover, about 36,000 (0.08%) were addicted to inhalants. There were no users of cocaine, amphetamine and hallucinogens in Gujarat, according to the survey.
In all, the survey pointed at about 8% of the total population (about 36.5 lakh) addicted to either alcohol or drugs. The survey did not include tobacco dependency.
The numbers are significant to understand the extent of addictions during the pandemic period, said city-based experts. According to the majority of the de-addiction centres and psychiatrists, the number in OPDs for drug and substance abuse has increased two-fold in 2020-21 compared to 2019-20.
Dr Rajendra Anand, head of the Kanoria Hospital and Research Centre specializing in de-addiction, said that the number has doubled due to anxiety and stress during and after the lockdown. “Even those who had shunned their habits again started consuming alcohol and drugs to ease the stress,” he said. “The new patients has also increased primarily for alcohol.” Experts also pointed to a rise in consumption of cough syrups and inhalants for the economically weaker section.
Dr Ramashankar Yadav, a psychiatrist with Government Hospital for Mental Health, said that six out of every 10 inpatients at the hospital for the past couple of months are fighting drug or alcohol addiction. “Majority of them were already on some substances, but the pandemic increased dosage and severity. Loneliness, frustration, and fear of the unknown were found to be some factors,” he said.
Dr Pradip Vaghasiya, de-addiction specialist and managing director of GIPS, said that in percentage terms, they have reported about 20-25% rise in their daily OPDs.
“I see it as a good sign, as several addictions were spotted by the family members when they lived in proximity for long. Addiction often takes chronic proportions, and it’s experienced by many when without medicines or counselling, many went back to old habits. We are seeing several such patients,” he said, adding that the first step to address the issue is to accept it. “The relatives should not stigmatize it, as it always makes the person more defiant.”
