While discussing his story, he said that his friends introduced him to marijuana for the very first time when he was around 14-year-old. Being an introvert, he used to stay alone and never share his problems or stories with anyone. Then, he got a girlfriend in school and the bond gave him a hope to have a trustworthy person to be with. Somehow, things turned sour between them and she left him. It was the time when he started to feel alone and eventually isolated himself from others. He was finding it difficult to focus on his studies so in order to get a boost, he began using tablets and marijuana to calm his mind and to suppress the thoughts.

Rahul started using drugs rather innocently but with the passage of time, he got addicted to it which led to severe marijuana abuse (12 joints per day) and soon he also learned about all the techniques to run this circle of keeping supply ready for himself and others in his group. Rahul belongs to a noble family; both his parents are lecturers and are posted out of town. He stays with his grandparents and thus gets to see his parents on weekends or once in a fortnight. The not so good bond with his parents and the introvertish nature compelled this young boy to shoot up anytime for the amazing rush.

As he tells, marijuana used to numb his mind and get things slow. One day, when he was lighting up his joint in the car, his father saw him and kept a close watch on it. Later, he enquired but obviously Rahul dodged the questions and got miffed over his family. After such behaviour, Rahul’s dad beat him up and took him to a nearby rehab. Rahul was agitated in the beginning but later on he agreed to be put in a drug treatment program. He stayed in the rehab for a month where the doctor counselled him and his family and somehow he got out of it.

While sharing his story, he raked up a few really important questions. First being the addiction and the control over it. He said that when it comes to addiction, there is no control, you somehow want more and more and do stupid things to get that kind of high and that feeling is scary.

After coming home, he remained sober for six months but then on Diwali, he thought about trying one joint which he describes as the door to hell, that one mistake dragged him into the pit again. He again started using stuff, although this time the magnitude of shame was more but at the same time, he knew that this addiction will ruin his life.

But he said that the drugs are easily available in Jammu. One can visit Qasim nagar area and you will find a number of people doing this business. With such accessibility, it is almost impossible to stop kids to experiment these things. Authorities need to keep close vigil on them.

As soon as his parents got to know, he was again enrolled for the same program where he was detoxified and learnt more about himself and his dreams.

He was forced to opt for non-medical whereas while sharing his interests with the doctor, he explained that he is more into wildlife and related things.

One more interesting incident from the meet was when we asked him “If he has a close friend with whom he loves to share almost everything” and the reply almost stunned us all. In a house of more than 6 people, Rahul shared his stories with his pet dog.

Rahul was lucky enough that his parents were aware to take him to a rehab but for those who do not have know-how of such things, we would suggest that it is high time that you start investing in people talk to your family, friends or someone you trust because mental wellness is an important issue in today’s age. Everyone is stressed about one or the other thing, we are frustrated, angry, and concerned about public disgrace and multiple other things at the same time but communication is the tool to deal with stress.

It was not an easy journey for Rahul but now he has stopped doubting his abilities and has become stronger than ever. He’s clean for a year now and is preparing for his 12th board exams. We, as a society need to provide compassion, respect and nurturance instead of humiliation and disrespect. People have the susceptibility to become ill and the capacity to become well so we must help them to become a better person by providing a chance to prove themselves.