Measures for Rehabilitating Drug Abusers and Alcoholics: A Study Conducted in Haldwani, Uttarakhand

In the fast changing scenario of the world, youths especially students of the youthful age are
considered to be future assets of the family and the nation at large. These youngsters can contribute
a lot for the welfare and the advancement of the family or nation in a truly global sense only if their
energies and potentialities are channelized in the most appropriate and desired manner. On the
contrary, if they indulge in undesirable activities like drug abuse and alcoholism, which have become
the most prevalent social evil in the present times, they can never utilize their potential and energies
for self growth, family welfare as well as welfare and development of the nation. The prevalence of an
alarming growth rate of drug abuse and alcoholism warrants us to take preventive steps for proper
utilization of human resources. Alcoholism has a higher prevalence among men, though in recent
decades, the proportion of female alcoholics has increased. Current evidence indicates that in both
men and women, alcoholism is 50–60 percent genetically determined, leaving 40–50 percent for
environmental influences. Most alcoholics develop alcoholism during adolescence or young
adulthood. The various health problems associated with long-term alcohol consumption are generally
perceived as detrimental to society, for example, money due to lost labour-hours, medical costs, and
secondary treatment costs. Alcohol use is a major contributing factor for head injuries, motor vehicle
accidents, violence, and assaults. Beyond money, there are also significant social costs to both the
alcoholic and their family and friends. For instance, alcohol consumption by a pregnant woman can
lead to foetal alcohol syndrome, incurable and damaging condition.