Happy birthday

Volume 13 Issues 8 August, 2023

“Happy birthday”, I said.

“Thank you “, he responded.

“How many candles are going to be on your cake today? “I asked.

17, with a sparkle in his eyes and a smile, he replied.

He was my neighbour’s son. He had just completed his 12th with excellent grades, and now, with the dream of donning a white coat and saving lives as a doctor, he was leaving for Kota to prepare for NEET UG in the next five days.

“The transition between childhood and adulthood usually comes with a lot of experimentation and expectations, experiments to identify themselves and expectations of society and family to follow certain norms”

I wished him luck, returned home, and got busy with life. One day, I saw my mother distressed; on asking, she shared that the neighbour’s son, who went to Kota, skipped coaching classes and started drinking, so his parents brought him back home.

The next day, I saw him on the balcony of his house, with long, unkempt, tangled hair and an unruly beard. I waved, but he ignored me.

I couldn’t muster the courage to ask, what went wrong? 

I returned to my room, but the issue weighed heavily on my mind, occupying my thoughts persistently throughout the night. I kept pondering “why and how the story of this boy took an unexpected turn. “

And let me share the answer I got after brainstorming and referring to different sources.

The transition between childhood and adulthood usually comes with a lot of experimentation and expectations, experiments to identify themselves and expectations of society and family to follow certain norms. Most of the time, when there is a lack of guidance, understanding and pressure to be a certain way, it often leads to the development of many unhealthy practices, one of which is SUBSTANCE ABUSE like smoking, drinking, tobacco consumption and illicit drug use. Substance abuse has a major impact not only on individuals and families but also on communities. There are several internal and external factors responsible for the descent into the trap of addiction, varying from academic expectations to social media influences. From the initial allure of escapism to the gradual erosion of academic pursuits, strained bonds with family and friends and the ripple effect of substance abuse becomes a central theme, causing collateral damage to the close ones along with the silent struggle that unfolds behind closed doors. This journey of substance abuse not only consumes the dreams but also the essence of the individual. Hence, as we navigate the complexities of substance abuse in youth, it becomes imperative to foster an environment of awareness, understanding and proactive intervention. Interventions like examining the subtle indicators and red flags, understanding the intricate relationship between the mental health of youth and substance abuse, encouraging open conversations within families, friends, schools, and communities, addressing the root cause and providing support can help the youth to overcome the challenges posed by substance abuse and pursue fulfilling, healthy lives.

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