Conditions LibraryAddiction & Substance Use

Substance Use

Addiction & Substance Use

نشے کی لت

A brain disease, not a moral failing. Recovery is possible.

یہ دماغ کی بیماری ہے، اخلاقی کمزوری نہیں — صحت یابی ممکن ہے

Addiction is a chronic brain disease involving compulsive substance use despite harmful consequences. It is not a failure of willpower or morality. The brain's reward system becomes altered, making stopping extraordinarily difficult without professional help. Recovery is possible — and confidentiality at ASPI is absolute.

لت ارادے کی کمزوری نہیں — دماغ کی بیماری ہے۔ دماغ کا reward system بدل جاتا ہے۔ صحت یابی ممکن ہے اور ASPI میں رازداری مکمل ہے۔

Understanding the Condition

What Is Addiction & Substance Use?

نشے کی لت کیا ہے؟

Substance use disorder is diagnosed when a person has a problematic pattern of substance use leading to significant impairment or distress. This includes tolerance (needing more to achieve the same effect), withdrawal (physical symptoms when stopping), and continued use despite knowing harm. In Pakistan, alcohol, opioids (heroin, tramadol, codeine cough syrups), cannabis, benzodiazepines, and increasingly methamphetamine are the most commonly misused substances. Prescription medication misuse is also a significant and growing problem.

لت میں tolerance (زیادہ مقدار کی ضرورت)، withdrawal (بند کرنے پر تکلیف)، اور نقصان جانتے ہوئے بھی استعمال شامل ہے۔ پاکستان میں افیون، شراب اور نسخے کی دوائیں عام مسائل ہیں۔

Causes & Risk Factors

Addiction has genetic, neurobiological, psychological, and social components. Family history increases risk significantly. Trauma and adverse childhood experiences are strongly associated with substance misuse. Availability of substances, peer pressure, and chronic stress are environmental factors.

لت جینیاتی، نفسیاتی اور سماجی عوامل سے ہوتی ہے۔ بچپن کا صدمہ لت کے خطرے کو نمایاں طور پر بڑھاتا ہے۔

Common Signals

Loss of controlWithdrawal symptomsNeglecting responsibilitiesContinued use despite harm
Treatable at ASPI
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Signs to Look For

Symptoms of Addiction & Substance Use

نشے کی لت کی علامات

Tolerance: needing more of the substance to achieve the same effect

Tolerance: ایک ہی اثر کے لیے زیادہ مقدار درکار

Withdrawal: physical and psychological symptoms when use is stopped

Withdrawal: بند کرنے پر جسمانی تکلیف

Loss of control: using more or for longer than intended

قابو نہ رہنا: ارادے سے زیادہ استعمال

Unsuccessful attempts to cut down or stop

روکنے کی ناکام کوششیں

Significant time spent obtaining, using, or recovering from the substance

نقصان کے باوجود جاری رکھنا

Continued use despite social, occupational, or medical consequences

پرانی سرگرمیاں چھوڑنا

Giving up important activities because of substance use

شدید خواہش

Cravings and urges to use

Important: This list is for educational purposes only. Having some of these symptoms does not mean you have Addiction & Substance Use. Only a qualified psychiatrist can make a diagnosis through a full clinical assessment.

How We Help

Treatment at ASPI

ASPI میں علاج

Addiction treatment at ASPI includes medically supervised detoxification (for alcohol, opioids, and benzodiazepines), medication-assisted treatment (buprenorphine for opioid dependence), and psychological therapy (CBT, motivational interviewing). Family involvement is encouraged. Confidentiality is absolute.

علاج میں طبی نگرانی میں detox، دوائیں، اور تھراپی شامل ہیں۔ خاندانی شمولیت مددگار ہے۔ رازداری مکمل ہے۔

Medically Supervised Detoxificationطبی نگرانی میں detox

Withdrawal from alcohol, opioids, and benzodiazepines can be medically dangerous. Supervised detoxification manages withdrawal symptoms safely and comfortably.

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)دوا سے معاون علاج

Buprenorphine (Suboxone) is the gold standard for opioid dependence — it eliminates withdrawal and reduces cravings, allowing the person to stabilise and engage in therapy. Naltrexone is used for alcohol dependence.

Psychological Therapyنفسیاتی تھراپی

CBT and Motivational Interviewing (MI) address the psychological drivers of use — triggers, cravings, and the beliefs that maintain use. Relapse prevention planning is a core component.

Setting the Record Straight

Myths About Addiction & Substance Use

نشے کی لت کے بارے میں غلط فہمیاں
"If he really wanted to stop, he would."
Myth

Addiction involves neurological changes in the prefrontal cortex (the brain's decision-making centre) that make rational decision-making extremely difficult. Willpower is genuinely impaired — this is why professional treatment is necessary.

لت میں دماغ کا فیصلہ کرنے والا حصہ متاثر ہوتا ہے — ارادہ اتنا آسان نہیں رہتا۔ اس لیے علاج ضروری ہے۔

Ready to Take the Next Step

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پڑھنا پہلا قدم تھا — ملاقات بک کرنا دوسرا

Our consultants are available 6 days a week. No referral needed. Assessment appointments typically available within 5–7 days.

ہمارے ڈاکٹر ہفتے میں 6 دن دستیاب ہیں۔ کوئی حوالہ نامہ ضروری نہیں۔

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