Drugs or psychotropic substances are the main threat to humanity, due to the widespread use today. Parents try to protect their children from bad habits, alcoholism and drug addiction, but children do not understand the seriousness of the situation and this may help them to go astray.
Drug addiction has serious consequences, which include death or infection with infectious diseases. Unfortunately, the number of drug addicts among children continues to grow day by day. For this reason, experts advise the adoption of immediate measures related to drug addiction, and the beginning of its comprehensive treatment.
Today, our interlocutor was Ramin Allahverdiyev, a psychologist at the Republican Narcological Center. According to him, in order to achieve effective results in the fight against child drug addiction, it is necessary first of all to understand the essence of the word addiction:
“The meaning and depth of the word addiction is uncertain in our society. That is, there are many false factors, the truth of which we do not know and do not understand. Some see this as lack of will, others see it as weakness, criminal, and there are those who approach this from the point of view of a moral character. However, from a scientific point of view, addiction is a chronic brain disease caused by neurochemical abnormalities in our brain. For example, when we look at addiction from the point of view of the disease, a professional approach is formed accordingly. Therefore, the mechanism of addiction is actually related to the development of brain functions. As you know, the brain consists of 3 parts: hindbrain, midbrain and forebrain. The hindbrain develops from the moment of our birth and provides a person's struggle for survival.
The psychologist notes that depending on the type, duration and amount of the substance taken, a person undergoes a number of changes. Statistics show that 82-85% of drug addicts are teenagers. They take a step without thinking about the consequences and harm to health and its destructive factors. When you suffer from an advanced form of addiction, there is no going back. As a psychologist, I consider this as the first factor.”
“Another factor is the circle of friends, interest and desire to find yourself. Dependence on psychotropic substances in many people happens against the background of character, temperament, will and strength, but, in my opinion, dependence on psychotropic substances turns the unnecessary into a need. Any feeling that a person cannot find in himself - impotence, lack of love, lack of courage, etc. is contained in a psychotropic substance. This deceives the brain and programs such behavior as rational,” adds psychologist Ramin Allahverdiev.
The psychologist notes that depending on the type, duration and amount of the substance taken, a person undergoes a number of changes:
“There are drugs that cause different symptoms in people. There are also drugs that are not known physiologically, but are based on psychological factors. Therefore, parents should always pay attention to changes in their children. These changes can be social, psychological and physiological. Social changes include conflicts in interpersonal relationships, a change in the circle of communication, a decrease in interest in classes, problems with attendance, instability of interests, etc.
On the Psychological side, self-restraint, lies, depression, panic attacks and other personality disorders are manifested. Physiologically, a person may experience weight loss, inability to retain water in the nose and mouth, dilated or constricted pupils, problems with the gastrointestinal tract, etc. These signs allow us to understand the condition of the child.”
The psychologist especially notes that the observation of these symptoms does not always indicate a teenager's drug addiction:
“We need to approach the behavior of the child with patience. Accordingly, the approach should also change. Because as a result, if drug addiction does not go away, there may be a conflict between parents and children.”
“If your child has the symptoms listed above, then you should definitely consult a specialist. First of all, the parent should contact a professional specialist, state institutions. Currently, there are many "specialists" who provide unprofessional services under the guise of a doctor, psychologist, psychotherapist. I would advise you to contact the narcologists working in the Republican Narcological Dispensary.
If the test confirms that the teenager is a drug addict, then a detoxification program will be mandatory. That is, the removal of toxic substances from the body. Later, psychologists and psychotherapists enter the process, who try to eliminate drug addiction through psychotherapy, as well as through the thoughts and behavior of a person.
According to R. Allahverdiev, sometimes parents discover that their child is addicted to drugs and try to hide it:
The main factor is the fear of being criticized. But you must understand that this is a chronic brain disease. Nobody is immune from anything. Therefore, you must convince your child to see a specialist and support him.
The psychologist emphasizes that under the legislation of the Republic of Azerbaijan, drug treatment services cannot be provided either in the private sector or at home under any circumstances:
“It should be carried out in state drug treatment centers, clinics and hospitals. Problems associated with drug addiction are under the direct control of the state. In this regard, certain projects are organized, law enforcement agencies, the Ministry of Education, which educate citizens in this direction. In my opinion, it is necessary to intensify internal and external work in this struggle. This means that any psychological, social and physiological problems are always under our supervision. That is, teenagers should be involved in science, art, sports and active work. There must be a relationship between parent, student, and teacher that promotes progress in treatment. The student must always feel that he is in the center of attention, that he is treated with understanding, and most importantly, that he is valued as a person. This attitude will alienate him from other bad habits and drug addiction.
Comments