The young of any generation receive the best and the worst of what the previous generation never had. They, thus receive an ever-changing clay as life which they can choose to shape to their maximum potential using the best of what is available or choose to go on a self-destructive path using the worst of what is available.
The youth today are the special ones who have the world literally in the palm of their hands. There is so much information bombardment. The minds that are already highly impressionable are spoilt for choice. There is immense scope for intellectual enhancement and as much scope of emotional imbalance consequently. They, many a time get things before they even ask for it, fed by a generation that does not wish to deprive them. This, however, leads to a sense of entitlement and an inability to face discomfort and deal with adversity. The easy way out and desire for quick fixes pushes them towards temporary escapes like alcohol and drug use, abuse and inevitable addictions.
In India the legal age for drinking hard liquor is on an average 21-25 years. But we see drinking beginning at as young an age as 14-15years.
Young kids begin drinking with the intention of doing something taboo, then they discover it lowers their inhibitions and it seems to be more fun. Many a time seeing their parents drinking and getting intoxicated on a regular basis makes them think this is a norm. Family history of addictions, dysfunctional families, childhood abuse, emotional traumas, a need to “fit in” may incline them towards using .
The brain of a human being develops till age 21years.Adolescents tend to binge and mix drinks i.e. having large quantities of alcohol in a short span of time. This affects thinking, learning and memory, as the hippocampus [the region that is responsible for this] gets damaged.. The pre-frontal lobe of the brain gets damaged affecting the abilities of planning, reasoning, decision making and impulse control.
Risk behaviors increase in the form of engaging in unsafe, unprotected sex, fights, violent crimes, homicides, suicides, accidents due to DUI etc. Sexual assaults and date rapes increase. Grades are affected.
The patterns of drug consumption have also changed. Alcohol intake is not to savor the taste but to get completely “wasted”. Marijuana today is no longer just a “herb” but comes in very potent forms and adulterated with chemicals. We have treated too many young people with addiction to only marijuana and have seen their lives wasted by dropping off studies and being nonproductive.
Marijuana gets one acquainted with dealers and users who deal in other drugs, thus, it becomes a “gateway” for further use. A naturally curious adolescent and young mind craving for new experiences does not even realize before it is trapped in usage of drugs that are addictive even on single use.
Today heroin is laced with fentanyl, Nbome is sold as LSD, mefedrone as cocaine, etc. and these are extremely addictive and potentially fatal.
The young of today are thus looking for answers in drugs/alcohol, fanaticism, etc. … the world gets more virtual and real time communication with family diminishes. The families shifting to micro family structures, conversation times with children is affected who look to answer with their peers who are in the same boat or the internet that can be misleading. A grounding within themselves is lost. This intelligence, curiosity, and drive if it can be channelized through meditative practices inwards, then there can be tremendous progress in every sphere in life, physical, psychological, and spiritual. Else it is going to be a zombie world where a substance is taken for everything, from waking up[coffee], to work, to stay alert [Adderall], to stay calm[alprazolam] to sleep [alcohol, valium] and would be apocalyptic.
The young, already addicted, need to be guided to meet an experiential addiction counsellor. They should be spoken to by the family in the morning before they start using, to share what they are going through by being assertive. The Counsellor motivates the youth to accept help at the right time. The family is also counselled to stop their enabling behaviors and create unmanageability to coax them to accept help.
We at Anatta Humanversity look at helping our young clients to be self-sufficient, pro-life individuals who do not find the need to use drugs/alcohol, through our voluntary, non-medical, Alternate Life therapy program involving meditation, introspection and counseling facilitated in residential ambiences that are luxurious.
Managing Director and Counsellor
Primary Counsellor and Facilitator
Since 2003, he has been actively treating those afflicted and affected by chemical dependency using Meditation and Counseling as cornerstones of therapy.
Psychiatrist and Consultant
M.D(Psych) PhD.D.F.M
Dr. Jerajani is a consultant psychiatrist with a niche practice in Mumbai for the last three decades. He has worked in the field of Chemical Dependency ever since.
Administrative Director & Family Therapist
Management expert & counsellor
Vandana Hiranandani is an important part of the team of Anatta that helps organise Seminars, Workshops and Awareness Programs facilitated by Anatta Humanversity.
Director and Counsellor
B.H.M.S.,PG Hom.(Lon.)
A Bachelor in Homoeopathic Medical Science from Mumbai with a Post Graduation from The Hahnemann College of Homoeopathy – London.
Consultant Cardiologist, expert in Addiction management & HIV-AIDS care
Dr. M. Shashidhara Menon trained at the Armed Forces Medical College, Pune (1974) and Institute of Naval Medicine (Mumbai University), India, has done post doctoral Fellowship training in HIV Medicine and Biostatistics from the University of South Florida, USA
Experiential Counselor
MBA (Marketing)
Mr. Rajan Pillay's journey to sobriety, since 2001, serves as a profound inspiration for clients at Anatta. His pragmatic and resourceful approach goes beyond personal narratives, incorporating valuable insights from his corporate background.