DRUG ADDICTION AND ORAL HEALTH COMPLICATIONS IN INDIA

Shadab Mohammad, Sana Farooqui* and Saurabh Srivastava

ABSTRACT

Oral Health complications related with drug abuse are increasing on a rapid pace in India . Drug use gives birth to number of Oral health complications such as periodontal diseases, Oral precancer, oral cancer, bruxism, tooth loss etc. Not only this but it also gives lodgement to several social and psychological problems such as violence, anxiety, depression and stress. The habit of drug addiction has posed a great threat to mankind as it destroys the individual both physically and psychologically. There are several reasons held responsible for drug addiction. A person becomes addicted to it in order to alleviate from distress and anxiety. Sometimes due to the several social issues such as poverty, unemployment, unrest when a person does not find anyway in order to cope from such problems then he turns towards addiction. In India drugs such as Opiates, Cochaine, Nicotine, Cannabis are currently used. These drugs are highly addictive and harmful and the fact remains very clear that once a man start its use then he becomes habitual of taking it and so it becomes difficult for him to get free from it. Published evidences on drug addiction and health issues emphasizes that drug addiction is just a sickness and through certain preventive measures such as counseling of addicts, support of family and friends and governmental policies this problem can be curbed to a great extent This paper aims to review oral health complications associated with drug use , factors associated for its use and focuses on preventive strategies which support the addicts in changing their attitude towards more positive and healthy lifestyles.

Keywords: Opiates, Cochaine, Nicotine, Cannabis.