Indore, MP
Drug addiction changes brain structure and function, making it genuinely impossible to quit through willpower alone. Comprehensive, medically supervised treatment can help you reclaim your life.
Recognising the Signs
If you experience any of the following, talk to a professional.
Many people believe that addiction is about weak willpower or poor decisions. This is not accurate. Addiction involves measurable changes in brain structure and function, particularly in the reward system, impulse control, and decision-making circuits. These changes make it genuinely difficult to quit without medical support. It is as much a medical condition as diabetes or heart disease.
Understanding the difference
| Feature | Opioids (Heroin/Smack) | Stimulants (Meth/MDMA) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary effect | Euphoria, pain relief, sedation | Euphoria, energy, alertness, confidence |
| Withdrawal | Severe flu-like symptoms, muscle pain, vomiting, intense cravings | Prolonged fatigue, depression, anhedonia, cravings lasting weeks |
| Overdose risk | Very high, respiratory depression can be fatal | High, cardiovascular collapse, hyperthermia, psychosis |
| Physical dependence | Develops rapidly, often within days | Develops with repeated use, psychological dependence stronger |
| Treatment approach | Medication-assisted (buprenorphine, methadone) + therapy | Primarily behavioural, medication for co-occurring depression |
About this Condition
Drug Use Disorder (DUD) involves the problematic use of illegal substances or the misuse of prescription medications, leading to significant impairment and distress. It is a medical condition involving measurable changes in brain structure and function, not a moral failing or a sign of weakness.
In India, the most commonly misused substances include opioids (heroin/smack, opium, pharmaceutical opioids), stimulants (methamphetamine, amphetamines, MDMA/ecstasy), hallucinogens (LSD, psilocybin), synthetic cannabinoids (spice, synthetic marijuana), and prescription drug misuse (benzodiazepines, tramadol, codeine-based cough syrups). Each substance has different effects, risks, and treatment approaches.
Opioids, including heroin (locally called smack, chitras, or brown sugar) and pharmaceutical opioids, are among the most addictive substances known. They produce intense euphoria by flooding the brain with dopamine. Physical dependence develops rapidly, and withdrawal causes severe flu-like symptoms, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, and intense cravings. Opioid overdose is a medical emergency and can be fatal.
Stimulants, including methamphetamine, amphetamines, and MDMA, increase alertness, energy, and euphoria. They can cause paranoia, hallucinations, aggression, and cardiovascular complications. Stimulant withdrawal involves prolonged fatigue, depression, and intense cravings that can last weeks.
Hallucinogens, including LSD, produce profound alterations in perception, mood, and thought. While they are not typically physically addictive, they can trigger psychotic episodes, severe anxiety, and lasting perceptual disturbances. Regular use can cause flashbacks and persistent visual disturbances.
In India, drug addiction carries enormous stigma, which prevents many people from seeking help. The legal consequences of illegal drug use further increase this barrier. Dr Rajvardhan provides completely confidential, non-judgemental care that focuses on recovery, not punishment. Strict doctor-patient confidentiality is maintained.
As a specialist with training in Addiction Psychiatry from NDDTC (AIIMS), Dr Rajvardhan provides expert care for complex substance use disorders, including dual diagnosis (co-occurring mental health conditions), polysubstance use, and treatment-resistant cases.
Understanding the roots
All addictive substances flood the brain with dopamine, hijacking the natural reward system. Over time, the brain reduces its own dopamine production, requiring the substance to feel normal. This is the biological basis of addiction.
Genetic factors account for 40 to 60% of addiction vulnerability. Having a parent or sibling with substance use disorder significantly increases your risk. This is biology, not destiny.
Depression, anxiety, PTSD, ADHD, and other mental health conditions increase the risk of substance use as people self-medicate emotional pain. Treating these conditions reduces relapse risk.
Peer pressure, poverty, unemployment, trauma, lack of education, easy availability of substances, and growing up in an environment where drug use is normalised all increase risk.
Clinical Profile
These are the most commonly reported signs.
By the numbers
India Affected
~20M
Indians use or are dependent on illicit drugs
Source: UNODC World Drug Report
Opioid Users India
~3M
estimated opioid users in India
Source: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
Dual Diagnosis
50 to 60%
of people with DUD have co-occurring mental health conditions
Source: Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment
Outcomes
Before Your Visit
Knowing what to expect can ease the anxiety of your first appointment.
The Process
How we deliver treatment in Indore
A thorough evaluation of substance use, mental health, and medical history. Drug screening and blood work may be recommended. Dual diagnosis is assessed.
Medically supervised detoxification when needed. For opioids, buprenorphine or methadone is started to manage withdrawal safely. For stimulants, supportive care with monitoring.
CBT, motivational enhancement therapy, and relapse prevention strategies. Medication-assisted treatment continues. Co-occurring mental health conditions are treated simultaneously.
Ongoing medication management, regular follow-ups, and support for maintaining sobriety. Relapse prevention plans are refined. Family involvement is encouraged.
Questions
Absolutely. I maintain strict doctor-patient confidentiality. We understand the sensitivity of substance use issues and provide a secure, private environment for your care. What you share stays between you and your doctor.
Dual diagnosis means having both a substance use disorder and a mental health condition (depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder) simultaneously. This is very common, 50 to 60% of people with DUD have co-occurring conditions. Treating both simultaneously produces significantly better outcomes.
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) uses medications like buprenorphine (Subutex/Suboxone) or methadone to reduce cravings and withdrawal from opioids. These medications stabilise brain chemistry without producing the euphoria of heroin. Combined with therapy, MAT significantly improves recovery outcomes and reduces overdose risk.
Yes. While addiction is a chronic condition, most people with proper treatment achieve significant and lasting improvement. Recovery is a long-term process, not a single event. The goal is not just stopping drug use but building the skills, support, and lifestyle that sustain recovery.
Detoxification typically takes 5 to 14 days depending on the substance. Medication-assisted treatment for opioids may continue for 6 to 24 months or longer. Therapy (CBT, relapse prevention) typically involves 12 to 20 sessions initially, with ongoing follow-ups. Recovery is a long-term process.
Polysubstance use is common and does not change the fundamental approach. We address each substance, prioritise the most dangerous, and develop a comprehensive plan. Dual diagnosis is also assessed and treated. I have experience managing complex, multi-substance cases.
No. This is a common misconception. Buprenorphine and methadone are prescribed medications that stabilise brain chemistry without producing euphoria or impairment. They allow normal functioning, work, relationships, and daily life. Compared to heroin, they are far safer, reduce overdose risk, and support recovery.
Relapse is a part of many recovery journeys, not a failure. It indicates that the treatment plan needs adjustment. I address relapse without judgement, reassess the triggers, modify the plan, and continue supporting you. Most people who achieve long-term recovery have had at least one relapse along the way.
Your Doctor
I provide comprehensive, evidence-based treatment for drug use disorders, including medication-assisted treatment for opioid dependence, medically supervised detoxification, and psychotherapy for relapse prevention. My training in Addiction Psychiatry from NDDTC (AIIMS) equips me for complex cases. My clinic is based in Indore and sees patients from across Madhya Pradesh.
Learn more about Dr RajvardhanExplore
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