In Kashmir, drug addiction among women is a problem that often goes unnoticed. Social stigma and cultural taboos silence many who face this challenge, leaving their struggles hidden from view. Yet behind closed doors are stories of pain, recovery, and an ongoing battle against dependency.
A 25-year-old woman from Kashmir (name withheld) recounts her journey into addiction. “I went on a trip with friends, and one of them introduced foil to me,” she shares. At the time, she was working in Delhi, living what she described as her dream life. But the COVID-19 pandemic brought her back to Kashmir, where her experimentation turned into a cycle she couldn’t escape.
“On that trip, I tried it for the first time. I wasn’t addicted at first, but over time, I couldn’t stop,” she says. As her dependency grew, she began experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms. She sought treatment in Delhi but kept it a secret from her family. When she returned to Kashmir, she relapsed. “My parents eventually found out and supported me through treatment,” she adds, acknowledging their role in her initial recovery.
Despite periods of progress, the loss of a loved one led her back to addiction. “For the last two weeks, I was doing femoral injections, and I got an abscess in my right leg. It’s painful, and I know I need to stop. I want to get better,” she says.
Her experience highlights how addiction takes a physical, emotional, and social toll. She also reveals the tactics used by drug peddlers to entrap people. “First, they give drugs for free, and once you’re hooked, they start charging,” she explains. The damage to her health has been severe. “My life has become so hard that three technicians couldn’t take a single blood sample from me,” she says.
Her mother, reflecting on her daughter’s struggle with addiction, highlights the societal stigma they endure. “People are cruel; they don’t think before speaking. My child didn’t choose this; she was trapped. Society criminalizes the victim instead of blaming the real culprits,” she says.
Despite facing judgment, she remains anchored in her faith. “This is an exam from Allah, and He will help us through it. My daughter is strong enough to make things right,” she adds. Like many parents in similar situations, she grapples with her daughter’s recovery while enduring societal ostracization.
Dr. Yasir Rather, Professor and Head of Unit at the Department of Psychiatry, IMHANS, says, “We do get cases among women, but not to the extent seen in men. Last year, we had 10-15 female patients compared to 2,000-3,000 male patients. However, societal stigma prevents many women from seeking treatment.”
Dr. Rather observes a shift in substance misuse patterns. “We’re seeing a move from heroin to tapentadol due to stricter government crackdowns on drug suppliers. Tapentadol is being misused through black market access,” he says. The misuse of everyday products, such as adhesives and nail polish, also highlights the accessibility of gateway substances for younger users.
“Even a single sniff of Fevicol can be fatal,” says Dr. Yasir Rather, who leads the Psychiatry Unit at IMHANS. He explains that addiction disrupts brain chemistry, often leading to dopamine deficiency syndrome, which needs medical treatment rather than punishment or social rejection.
“We work with the government on awareness and training programs. Teachers and institutional staff are trained to identify and counsel at-risk students. Religious leaders also play an important role because of their influence in communities,” he says.
Although drug addiction among women in Kashmir appears less common than among men, experts believe this does not show the full picture. “The numbers are low not because addiction is rare among women, but because stigma keeps many from seeking treatment,” Dr. Rather says. Women often seek medical help only when they experience severe dependency or withdrawal symptoms.
A recovering addict also highlights the need for better awareness. “My family supported me, but not everyone is so lucky,” she says. “I’ve seen professionals treat female patients and their families disrespectfully. We need a system that treats us as patients, not criminals.”
