Addiction Business: Does it Cost Human Lives?

Bhaskar’s struggle with addiction severely affects his health and creates deep sorrow in his family, highlighting the destructive influence of the addiction business.

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Bhaskar’s Story: How Addiction Business Destroyed His Family & Health

Bhaskar, once a bright young man from Coimbatore, fell into the dark trap of addiction during his early twenties. It began with occasional drinking at parties, but gradually spiraled into a regular habit of alcohol, tobacco, and even occasional drug use. At first, Bhaskar thought he could control it, but soon, his life began to deteriorate. 

His health worsened steadily. Chronic cough, frequent headaches, and constant fatigue became his daily companions. His liver started showing signs of severe damage, and his mental well-being declined, making him irritable and withdrawn. His parents, who had raised him with love and care, watched in despair as their once hopeful son became a shadow of himself. Their constant worry turned into helplessness, and their emotional pain deepened. 

Meena, his wife, struggled to hold the family together. She endured constant fights and financial instability as Bhaskar spent most of his salary on alcohol and cigarettes. Their young daughter, Ananya, grew up in fear and confusion, watching her father stumble between promises and broken trust. His addiction created an atmosphere of tension and insecurity at home, robbing them of peace and happiness. Bhaskar’s addiction was not just his personal tragedy — it became a heavy burden on his family, threatening their health, future, and unity. Only when he faced the harsh reality did he start seeking help.

Bhaskar’s addiction was not just his personal tragedy — it became a heavy burden on his family, threatening their health, future, and unity. Only when he faced the harsh reality did he start seeking help, realizing how big businessmen and mafia profit by destroying lives for their greed

A woman smokes despite clear warnings on the cigarette pack, highlighting the challenge of addiction and the limits of visual deterrents in public health campaigns. (Smoking is injurious to health)

If you want to be responsible for your health, family, and society, you need to understand the business of addiction. Although the business objectives behind the use of alcohol, smoking habits, and drugs that have become part of everyday life are not public, their effects are very serious. Although these addictions have become a business and are giving crores of rupees in financial profits to some, they are destroying the health, economic status, and social peace of the people. In this article, you will get a comprehensive understanding of the business behind drugs, alcohol, and smoking habits, their spread, side effects, and their prevention. It will change your life.

Summary: Understanding Addiction and Its Impacts

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Category	Summary
What is the Business of Addiction?	Addiction is exploited as a massive illegal industry targeting vulnerable populations.
Size and Profits of the Drug Business	Drug trafficking is a multi-billion-dollar global trade driven by high demand.
Side Effects on Human Health	Addiction leads to physical damage, mental illness, and shortened lifespan.
Family, Financial, and Social Impacts	It causes family breakdown, financial ruin, and loss of social trust.
Prevention and Awareness	Community programs and regulations are vital for addiction prevention.
Education and Awareness for Youth	Schools must educate children about risks and coping strategies early on.

What is the business of addiction?

The business of addiction is a commercial sector that is directly or indirectly based on human addictions. It is run with government permits and through illegal means.

• The production and sale of goods such as drugs, alcohol, and smoking products on a large scale.

• The use of advertising methods that attract people towards addictions.

• Making intoxicants palatable to attract children at a young age.

• Having a greater impact on poor people and pushing them into a socially damaging position.

How big and profitable is the addiction business?

This business is generating billions of rupees in profits globally and in India. But it is a business that is weakening our health and society.

• In India, the alcohol sector alone generates up to Rs. 3 lakh crores in revenue annually..

• Smoking products, cigarettes, and bidis are a mix of millions of dollars in the market.

• The drug mafia generates billions of dollars of black money globally.

• The business mafias behind these profits have a severe impact on the poor, youth, and women.

A bartender prepares to serve liquor at a stylish bar, capturing the ambiance of nightlife and the social culture around alcoholic beverages.

How does addiction harm human health?

Addictions destroy our physical health. This can extend to heart diseases, respiratory problems, and mental disorders.

• Alcohol consumption causes liver problems, hepatitis, and decreased brain function.

• Smoking habits damage the respiratory tract and lead to cancer.

• Drug use leads to mental illnesses, brain weakness, and addiction.

• If taken in the long term, the body's strength and mental balance are completely lost.

How do addictions affect family, money, and society?

The impact of addiction is not only severe on the individual but also on families and society.

• Conflicts with family members, stress, and violence increase.

• Financial stability is destroyed, and debts increase due to the cost of addiction.

• People who are addicted lose their ability to work and their jobs.

• The upbringing, education, and future of young children are at risk.

Categories of Addiction and Examples

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Addiction Category	Examples
Substance Addiction	Alcohol, nicotine, heroin, cocaine, cannabis, prescription drugs, LSD
Behavioral Addiction	Gambling, internet, shopping, eating, exercise, sex, work
Digital Addiction	Social media, mobile phones, video games, OTT platforms, YouTube
Emotional or Psychological Addiction	Approval seeking, toxic relationships, trauma bonding, and obsessive love
Chemical Dependency	Sleeping pills, painkillers, antidepressants, anti-anxiety drugs
Cultural or Ritual Addictions	Betel leaf chewing, kharra/gutka, religious substance use (bhang)

How can addictions be prevented?

To get rid of addiction, individual, family, and community-level approaches should be adopted.

• Undergoing detoxification treatment with medical consultation is good for health.

• Counseling and therapy centers provide scientific advice on addictions.

• Processes like spirituality, yoga, namaz (salat), and meditation provide mental stability.

• Support, love, and patience from family members help in reducing the attraction towards addiction.

• Coming forward for help and creating a non-blaming environment is key.

Why should youth learn about addiction dangers?

To keep youth away from addictions, awareness should be created first. Students and teenagers should be the main target.

• Awareness programs and campaigns should be organized in schools and colleges.

• Providing science-based information to the youth will give them the right perspective on addictions.

• Politicians and film personalities should give messages against addictions.

• Anti-addiction content should be promoted on social media.

• Showing attractive alternatives to the youth (for example, sports and creative arts).

Drug addiction shatters every aspect of life — physical, mental, biological, and social — as portrayed in this powerful and cautionary visual message. (Smoking and drug abuse are injurious to health)

FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Why do addictions start?
A: Addictions start due to high stress, mental depression, the influence of friends, and attractive advertisements. Some people start for the experience but find it difficult to return.

Q2. How do children become addicted?
A: Children are motivated by the presence of people who smoke or drink alcohol, movies, and the influence of social media.

Q3. What is the impact of addiction on mental health?
A: Addictions can lead to mental stress, depression, anxiety, insomnia, and even suicidal thoughts.

Q4. What are governments doing?
A: Although governments can impose bans, taxes, and awareness programs, it is difficult to completely control businesses as long as they exist.

Q5. How can addictions be overcome?
A: With complete determination, family support, counseling, and the help of psychiatrists, addictions can be overcome.

Explore the harsh realities of the addiction business and how it controls lives. Learn how to regain strength and overcome through awareness. 

Conclusion

The addiction business is threatening our health, the future of families, and the peace of society for the sake of profit. This is not just a personal problem; it also becomes an obstacle to the development of our country. We as a society should realize the ill effects of alcohol, smoking, and drug use. While laws and government actions are on one side, personal awareness, family support, and community awareness should be on the other. Staying away from addictions is essential if you want to protect the future of yourself, your family, and society. The ways mentioned in this article will serve as a good guide for you.

Online Courses, Reference Books, & Websites

Category	Resources
Online Courses	• Drug Abuse and Addiction – Coursera • The Addicted Brain – FutureLearn • Psychology of Addiction – Udemy • Public Health Approach to Addiction – edX • Youth & Substance Use Awareness – Alison
Reference Books	• "Chasing the Scream" – Johann Hari • "Clean" – David Sheff • "Beautiful Boy" – David Sheff • "Addiction Recovery Workbook" – Suzette Glasner-Edwards • "In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts" – Gabor Maté
Websites	• www.nida.nih.gov (National Institute on Drug Abuse) • www.who.int (WHO – Substance Use & Abuse) • www.drugabuse.com • www.ncadd.org (National Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependence)