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Alarming rise in drug addiction cases causing health crisis in Kashmir; Know what is heroin and its withdrawal symptoms

A massive increase in drug addiction cases in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has raised worry alarms among the authorities who blame Pakistan for smuggling the drugs across the border. Read to know what heroin is and how it is used.

Ashima Sharda Mahindra

Updated Jul 13, 2022, 19:47 IST

Alarming rise in drug addiction cases causing health crisis in Kashmir

New Delhi: There is a massive rise in drug addiction cases in Kashmir with at least 10-15 addicts brought to de-addiction centers daily, says a survey conducted by All India Institute of Medical Sciences. The survey suggests the number of Intravenous heroin abusers, ranging from ages as young as 10 years old have placed the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir in 5th spot, claiming more than 6 lakh people in the last few years.

Reports suggest that psychiatrists are receiving at least 50 drug addicts on average every day.

The authorities have blamed Pakistan from where the drugs worth crores of rupees are transported frequently.

According to statistics at the drug de-addiction center of Government Medical College, Srinagar reveal that in 2019, over 3850 IV Heroin abuse cases were recorded while the number rose to 13200 in 2021, a 340 per cent jump. 1400 patients were registered for IV Heroin de-addiction.

What is heroin?

Heroin is a drug that comes from a flower poppy that is very addictive in nature. People use heroin to deal with anxiety and other stresses. It has been found that more than 75 per cent of heroin users suffer from various mental health problems like depression, bipolar disorder or ADHD.

How is heroin used?

Heroin is injected through intravenous injections into the veins. Despite being one of the most dangerous ways because of fear of overdose or diseases through the shared needle, abusers prefer it since it gives a feeling of high.

Effects of heroin

Short-term effects of heroin include:

Feeling of a high
Dryness in the mouth
Warm skin
Feeling a heavy body
Upset stomach
Itching all over
Long-term effects include:
Insomnia
Heart infection
Skin infection
Chances of HIV and hepatitis B and C
Mental disorders
Kidney and liver problems
Menstrual irregularity

Withdrawal symptoms

Since heroin is very addictive people taking it develop a disorder that causes various ailments and diseases. Since the body gets dependent on heroin it builds tolerance and once you quit using it, withdrawal symptoms begin to show up. Some of them include:

Body chills and jitters
Vomiting and diarrhoea
Bone and muscle pain
Insomnia
Cold flashes

Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purposes only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a dietician before starting any fitness programme or making any changes to your diet.

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