Addiction

A Case Study on Drug Addiction: Causes, Consequences, and Recovery

Written By

Jagruti Rehab

Last Updated on: 30 Apr 2025

Patient Information:

• Age: 17
• Gender: Male
• Background: School student

History or Cause:

The patient belongs to an upper-middle-class family based in Delhi. His parents describe him as an average student with a decent bunch of friends. He has never exhibited any severe symptoms like mood swings or rash behaviour. However, since his 15th birthday, the parents observed that he would spend more time in his room and his grades had started declining. 

They discovered syringe marks on his arms and discovered that he was taking substances by the time he turned 16. The patient shared that he was doing so due to peer pressure and the increasing stress of competitive exams. The consumption of drugs gave the patient a high and enabled him to relax. An increased usage over one year led to dependency.

The patient started consuming party drugs and later shifted to cocaine which he tried only twice. The parents got the patient as soon as they realised that their son was consuming drugs. The patient was on board and was willing to get treated at Jagruti Rehabilitation Centre under the supervision of professionals.

Diagnosis:

Severe drug addiction diagnosed with accompanying anxiety and depression.

The patient was made to acknowledge that he is unwell and needs immediate professional help. Family and friends were included in this discussion and were extensively interviewed.

A thorough physical examination followed wherein the deterioration of mental health was measured. Mental health professionals enquired about the frequency of consumption, the reason for consumption and withdrawal symptoms of any.

Treatment:

Since the patient was dealing with several problems, the program lasted almost 8 months. The patient was seeking treatment for drug addiction and mental problems like anxiety and depression. Therefore, the psychiatrists at this rehabilitation centre had to frame a detailed treatment plan for the patient.

• Approach:

Holistic rehabilitation program. The patient opted for an outpatient rehabilitation program. Since this patient was a minor, patients were detailed about specific therapies and the frequency of counselling sessions. Sessions were arranged according to the patient’s school timings and coaching classes.

The approach of mental health professionals at Jagruti Rehabilitation Centre is comprehensive. Continuous counselling and therapies were held by psychiatrists and the medication was prescribed accordingly. Mental health professionals moved forward with the treatment only after the patient’s medical history was analysed and his circumstances were understood.

• Program:

Here is how mental health professionals at Jagruti Rehabilitation Centre completed the drug de-addiction program.

• Initial detoxification:

Initial detoxification removes harmful substances from the body. This step can be physically and emotionally taxing for a patient as the mind and body are heavily dependent on the substance. 

Initial detoxification sets the path for the treatment as it stabilises the patient. It is only after this step that a patient is ready for counselling and therapy. Detox creates a foundation for the treatment. Since a person is healing physically and the body is getting rid of the toxins, a patient needs all kinds of help.

• Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT)

CBT is used twice during the treatment. Once it is used to treat addiction and later it is used to prevent relapse. Here is a detailed description of the course of therapy:

1. In the first few days, the patient was made to feel comfortable and was motivated to talk and express himself freely. With the help of motivational therapy, he was enabled to sustain this positive attitude and cooperation was rewarded. Stress relief and relaxation techniques were adopted according to the patient’s pace of recovery. He was informed that his emotions, behaviours and thoughts are interrelated. 

1. A relapse can be caused due to environmental factors and societal pressures. The therapist, in this case, trained the patient to recognize these triggers and rewire these patterns. His coping skills were honed and his problem-solving skills were improved so that he could smartly avoid awkward situations without feeling uncomfortable.

• Group Therapy Sessions.

Group therapy sessions helped the patient to re-develop his interpersonal skills. Psychoeducation was imparted collectively and relationship concerns were addressed in these sessions. Perspective from various patients was shared which created a sense of inclusivity among patients. It addressed the feeling of isolation everyone felt and trust and support were established.

• Medical Treatments: 

Monitored use of anti-anxiety medication is a part of the treatment. In this case, the patient was exhibiting symptoms of depression and anxiety, so the medication was prescribed accordingly. Benzodiazepines were prescribed, however, the dosage was minimal owing to the patient’s age.

However, specific medicines that treat the physical symptoms of a patient are also prescribed. Since there is no specific medication to treat opioid addiction, it can help in recovery. These medicines have proven to be exceptionally helpful in controlling cravings.Improvements/Recovery Timeline:

As mentioned above, the age of the patient is under 18. Therefore, his patients were kept in the loop at all times. Here is a comprehensive weekly detail about the treatment that ensured proper recovery and minimised the chances of relapse.

• Week 1-2: Detox and initial stabilisation is the first step. Psychiatrists analysed the response of the patient to the treatment. The level of toxins was measured in the body so that the damage could be addressed accordingly. Having a balanced diet is an essential part of the detox treatment. Therefore, the patient was given a diet chart that aligned with his medication and personal dietary preferences.

• Week 3-4: Introduction to therapy sessions was done in week 3-4. Orientation classes were held to familiarise the patient and his family with the process. Mental health experts tried to develop a cordial relationship with the patient so that the psychiatrist could get proper feedback.

• Week 5-8: There was a significant reduction in cravings. Medication was being consumed according to the schedule. The patient was responding well to the treatment and there was improved mental clarity. He felt less depressed and more comfortable with his family and friends around him.

• Week 9-12: Patient starts mentoring new admissions. He acknowledged the problem and asked relevant questions, indicating strong recovery progress. He was participating well in group sessions and was more responsive. His blood pressure and palpitations had also reduced by 70%. 

Our Success:

• Impact on Patient’s Life: The patient regained control over life and was able to control his cravings. He resumed education and was able to take stress without feeling the need to consume any substance. The patient responded well to the treatment as he was able to manage his recovery independently. 
• Family and Community: Since he was able to control his anger, he rebuilt his trust in his family.  With positive community engagement, he was able to socialise properly and hold proper conversations.
• Future Steps: Continued outpatient therapy and participation in alumni support groups were done to maintain sobriety. A trusting relationship was built between the therapist and the patient which lasted long. Psychiatrists continued talking to him and interviewing him to analyse his behaviour. 

Author

Jagruti Rehabilitation Centre is a leading facility specializing in mental health, dementia, and addiction recovery. The team of psychiatrists, psychologists, and caregivers is committed to empowering individuals on their journey to recovery.