Addiction and Its Effects — REET EVS Notes

What is addiction and its types

Addiction is the habit of repeatedly consuming a substance that affects the nervous system and makes a person physically and mentally dependent on it. Intoxicating substances are generally grouped into three categories — stimulants (such as tobacco, caffeine), depressants (such as alcohol, opium) and hallucinogens (such as cannabis/ganja, charas).

Opium is obtained from the latex, the milky sap, that oozes from the unripe seed pods of the poppy plant (Papaver somniferum), and contains natural alkaloids such as morphine, codeine and narcotine. Caffeine is a different alkaloid found in tea and coffee, not in opium — the REET 2024 question was based on exactly this distinction.

Addiction often begins out of curiosity, peer pressure, or an attempt to relieve stress, but with repeated use the body becomes 'tolerant' to the substance, and gradually needs a larger quantity to produce the same effect — this cycle is known as the addiction cycle.

Major intoxicating substances and their effects

With continued use, every intoxicating substance permanently damages some system of the body, such as the heart, liver or nervous system; this is why the EVS syllabus teaches these substances as a 'social evil' from both a health and a social perspective.

Preventing addiction — law and support

In India, the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS Act), 1985 regulates the sale, production and consumption of narcotic and intoxicating substances, while the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003 was enacted to control the advertising of tobacco products and smoking in public places.

Under the 'Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan' (Drug-Free India Campaign), the Government of India has launched the national toll-free helpline number 1933 (MANAS), where a person can seek help, counselling or lodge a confidential complaint related to addiction. At the school level, teachers have a role in raising awareness early enough to prevent addiction from ever starting, since a habit formed at a young age is difficult to break.

Under COTPA, the sale of tobacco products is prohibited within 100 yards of a school campus, and school premises are required to be marked as a 'Tobacco Free Zone' — a provision that is practically relevant for EVS teachers too.

Social and family effects of addiction

Addiction affects not just an individual's health but also a family's financial condition, children's education and the atmosphere at home. Addiction increases problems such as accidents, domestic conflict and reduced productivity, which is why it is considered a social evil, not merely a personal one.

In Rajasthan, the consumption of opium and tobacco has traditionally been socially accepted on certain occasions, which makes breaking the habit even more challenging. Schools, the health department and local administration run joint awareness campaigns so that the younger generation stays away from these habits and learns to recognise and resist social pressure.

The EVS syllabus aims to build the conviction in children that addiction is never the solution to a problem, it's only the beginning of new ones — so healthy habits, sports and open conversation with the family are the best forms of prevention.

Warning signs of addiction

Behavioural change

Sudden loss of interest in studies and other activities, increased irritability

Physical signs

Reduced appetite, changes in sleep pattern, red eyes

Social signs

Distancing from old friends and family, keeping company with suspicious new friends

The right response

Talking things through rather than scolding, family support, and contacting a counsellor or the helpline (1933) when needed

How to teach children

Questions asked in REET 2024 (with solutions)

Practice Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

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