In recent years, the issue of addiction has increasingly surfaced as a significant contributor to various forms of violence, accidents, and self-destructive behavior. This problem is not limited to specific regions but is a global concern affecting millions of lives annually. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that more than 3 million deaths annually are attributable to alcohol and drug use. This figure includes fatalities due to chronic diseases, mental health disorders, and accidents like road traffic incidents, which are often fueled by substance abuse. These statistics show the lethal impact addiction can have, not just on the individual but on families and communities at large.
Addiction and Its Consequences
Addiction, whether to drugs or alcohol, is a complex disease that significantly impairs an individual’s ability to make rational decisions. It is a Primary-Chronic-Progressive and Potentially Fatal disease if left untreated. Addiction is very similar to other chronic diseases like diabetes or heart disease, where not everyone exposed to a risk factor will develop the disease. In the context of addiction, about 20% of people who use drugs become addicted due to a combination of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors. This means that while drug use is widespread, not every user becomes an addict, but those who do are at significant risk. The disease of addiction affects about 20% of users, which means that there is a metabolic error in their bodies, and now their bodies have started rejecting the drug. Now the patient has to use the drug as a means to normalize their mood.
Recent incidents in Pakistan highlight the harsh reality of how addiction can spiral into violence and tragedy.
In one case, Dr. Shahid Siddique Khan, a well-known figure, was murdered in a premeditated attack orchestrated by his son, Qayyum Khan. Qayyum had been struggling with an addiction to Ice and had a history of conflicts with his father, often demanding money to fuel his addiction. In January 2024, Qayyum even attempted to kill his father in a separate incident. Their relationship had deteriorated to the point where, just before the murder, Qayyum demanded an expensive car from his father. Initially, Dr. Shahid refused but later told his wife that he had ordered the car, possibly hoping it would calm his son’s aggressive behavior. Tragically, this act of appeasement was not enough to prevent the ensuing violence.
In another harrowing event in Karachi, a woman named Natasha was driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs when she lost control of her vehicle, resulting in the death of a father and his young daughter. It was later revealed that Natasha had been drinking, and later tests revealed the presence of ‘ICE’ in her urine. This incident shocked the nation and reignited discussions about the dangers of substance abuse and impaired driving. Both incidents drew widespread attention, yet the core issue—addiction—was often overshadowed by other narratives, such as socio-economic divides or political implications.
The Societal Impact
Addiction’s impact goes beyond immediate physical harm. It fosters an environment where violence, accidents, and self-destructive behaviors become more likely. People under the influence of drugs and alcohol often harm themselves, both mentally and physically, due to impaired judgment, risky behaviors, and increased aggression. This self-destructive cycle may manifest in acts of self-harm, suicide, or putting oneself in life-threatening situations like driving under the influence. Families, too, often contribute by enabling the addict’s behavior or by trying to hide the issue, hoping it will resolve on its own, which leads to an escalation in harm over time.
One of the biggest issues is that families often keep addiction “in a bubble”—they don’t speak about it openly, either out of fear of social stigma or the hope that ignoring it will make the problem disappear. This culture of silence further enables the addict, allowing the disease to fester and grow in secrecy until it eventually erupts in the form of accidents, violence, or tragedies, as seen in these recent cases. In reality, keeping these issues under wraps only worsens the problem, putting both the addict and those around them in danger.
Conclusion
Addiction is not just a personal issue; it’s a hidden epidemic with far-reaching consequences. The silence and secrecy surrounding addiction within families and communities only perpetuate the problem. Families must recognize the signs of addiction early and take immediate steps toward proper treatment, rather than keeping the issue confined within the family bubble. Addressing addiction head-on with appropriate medical and psychological interventions can prevent the devastating outcomes of violence, accidents, and self-destruction. Ignoring or hiding addiction will only lead to greater harm, and the time for action is now.
Written By
- Salman Ahmad Awan
- Psychologist (Willing Ways)
- Member American Psychological Association (APA)