This document discusses addiction among youth in Pakistan and provides tips to prevent it. It notes that 63% of Pakistan's population is youth under age 25, and 40,000 youth are affected by addiction each year, many to heroin. Addiction can be chemical, from drugs like heroin, or non-chemical, like internet/mobile addiction. Risk factors include family history, peer pressure, and mental health issues. Physical, behavioral, and psychological warning signs of addiction are outlined. The document recommends understanding addiction development, avoiding temptation and peer pressure, seeking help for mental illness, examining risks, maintaining balance, family ties, coping skills, and using social media to educate youth.

1. How to Combat Addiction
among youth
Sidra Akhtar Ch

2. Sidra Akhtar Ch
 Clinical Psychologist
 Chairperson Sidra Akhtar Foundation Drug & Psychological
Rehabilitation Center.
 Media Analyst

7. Youth:
Early period of
existence, growth, or
development.

8. Youth’s Choice
Youth under the age of 25
constitutes 63% of total
population of Pakistan.

9. Addiction : Dependency , Craving , fixation,
Weakness and habit

10. Chemical
Addiction
• Heroine
• Alcohol
• Cannabis
• Ice
• Cocaine
• Opium
• Medicine
Non Chemical
Addiction
• Internet
• Mobile
• Gaming
• Selfie
• Internet
• Shopping

11. Alarming Facts of Pakistan :
40,000 per year youth
affected by addiction.
Most disturbing fact is
majority of heroine addict
are under 24
1 out of 10 university
student is a drug addict

12. Drug Addiction in Pakistan
6.7 million adults in Pakistan used drugs in the last 12
months.
4.25 million individuals are drug dependent.
As a proportion of drug abusers, heroin users have
increased from 7.5 percent in 1983 to a shocking 51
percent a decade later in 1993.
13/05/2015
SidraAkhtarch
12

13. What is Drug Addiction?
A chronic, relapsing brain disease that is
characterized by compulsive substance seeking
and use of addictive substances, despite harmful
consequences.
“U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse”

14. SidraAkhtarch
14

15. Why youth start taking drugs?
 Curiosity
 Availability
 Peer pressure
 Lack of awareness about harms
of drugs
 Poor community support
 Lack of youth counseling
 Early life dilemmas
 Depression

16. Risk factors for youth high-risk substance use
can include:
 Family history of substance use
 Favorable parental attitudes towards the behavior
 Poor parental monitoring
 Parental substance use
 Family rejection of sexual orientation or gender identity
 Association with delinquent or substance using peers
 Lack of school connectedness
 Low academic achievement
 Childhood sexual abuse
 Mental health issues

18. Physical warning Sings of Drug
Addiction
 Bloodshot eyes, pupils larger or smaller than usual
 Sleep , Appetite Problem
 Deterioration of physical appearance, personal grooming habits
 Unusual smells on breath, body, or clothing
 Tremors, slurred speech, or impaired coordination
13/05/2015
SidraAkhtarch
18

19. Behavioral signs of Addiction
 Drop in attendance and performance at work or school
 Unexplained need for money or financial problems.
 Engaging in secretive or suspicious behaviors
 Sudden change in friends, favorite hangouts, and hobbies
 Frequently getting into trouble (fights, accidents, illegal
activities)
13/05/2015
SidraAkhtarch
19

20. Psychological warning signs of Addiction
Unexplained change in personality or attitude
Sudden mood swings, irritability, or angry outbursts
Periods of unusual hyperactivity, agitation, or giddiness
Lack of motivation; appears lethargic or “spaced out”
Appears fearful, anxious, or paranoid, with no reason
13/05/2015
SidraAkhtarch
20

21. Tips for Preventing addiction

22. 1-Understand how substance abuse
develops.

23. 2-Avoid Temptation and Peer Pressure.

24. 3. Seek help for mental illness

25. 4. Examine the risk factors.

26. 5-Keep a well-balanced life

27. 6-Develop close family ties

28. 7-Learn coping mechanisms

29. 8-Take Time For Yourself

30. Youth as Partners- Change
 Use of Social Media
 Facebook
 Twitter
 Whatsapp
 YouTube
 Documentaries
 Stage Dramas
 Seminars

31. Q & A

32. THANK YOU