Sunday, Jul 19, 2026 16:00 [IST]
Last Update: Sunday, Jul 19, 2026 10:32 [IST]
Mr. SD (name changed) is a 45-year-old married businessman and the father of two beautiful children. He is a graduate, hardworking, responsible, and well respected in his community. At first glance, he appears to be an honest, gentle, and innocent-looking person. If you met him, you would probably never imagine that he was dependent on heroin. Addiction does not have a "face." It can affect anyone, regardless of education, profession, or social status.
When he came for consultation, he was extremely anxious and hesitant to share his story. Before speaking, he requested complete confidentiality and repeatedly asked whether whatever he disclosed would remain strictly between the doctor and him. This fear is common among people suffering from substance use disorders because of the stigma attached to addiction.
After gaining confidence, he narrated his story.
Nearly three years ago, while travelling to Siliguri for a business deal, some of his friends noticed that he was suffering from a severe headache. One of them offered him a small amount of "brown sugar" (an adulterated form of heroin) through snuffing and told him to "try it just once." Within minutes, his headache disappeared completely, and he felt relaxed and comfortable. He believed it was helping him.
He began using it occasionally whenever he experienced headaches. Soon, occasional use became regular use. Within a few weeks, his brain had already started adapting to the drug. When he tried to stop, he discovered that he was no longer taking the drug for pleasure—he was taking it to avoid becoming sick.
He developed classic opioid withdrawal symptoms, including:
These symptoms are usually not life-threatening, but they are extremely distressing. Many people continue taking heroin simply to avoid withdrawal rather than to experience pleasure.
For more than three years, he kept his addiction hidden. His wife and children had absolutely no idea that he was dependent on heroin. He loved his family deeply and was terrified that they would discover his addiction. Because of shame, guilt, and fear of losing their respect, he avoided seeking professional help and chose to suffer silently.
When I asked him, "You knew you had a problem. Why did it take you more than three years to seek treatment?" he lowered his head and replied with tears in his eyes.
He had recently sold a piece of land for around ?50 lakh to raise capital for a new business project. Instead of investing the money as planned, addiction took control. Once he had easy access to a large amount of cash, his heroin consumption increased dramatically to nearly 5-6 grams every day. He was spending approximately ?15,000-?20,000 every single day just to keep withdrawal symptoms away.
Over the past several months, he estimated that he had spent nearly ?40 lakh purchasing heroin.
"I don't know where the money went," he said. "If someone had told me three years ago that I would lose forty lakh rupees to drugs, I would never have believed them. Addiction completely took control of my life."
This is one of the most tragic features of addiction. It gradually hijacks the brain's reward, motivation, and decision-making systems. A person who was once careful with money, responsible toward family, and successful in business can begin making decisions that they themselves cannot understand. Addiction is not simply a lack of willpower—it is a chronic brain disease that changes the way the brain functions.
Fortunately, Mr. SD finally gathered the courage to seek treatment. His story reminds us that addiction can affect anyone. Seeking help early can prevent enormous emotional, social, and financial loss. Recovery is possible, but the sooner treatment begins, the better the chances of rebuilding one's life.
