Female drug addiction grows in silence

ISLAMABAD:

Despite growing awareness of women's rights and health issues such as honour killings, mental health, and family planning, one rising crisis remains largely hidden - female drug addiction, said Dr Shamsher Hayat, CEO of Hayat Rehab Clinic and a clinical psychologist.

Shrouded in stigma and shame, many women suffer in silence, while families avoid seeking help for fear of judgment, he said, adding that as secrecy replaces support and phone consultations stand in for real care, this deepening crisis is quietly costing lives.

Dr Hayat said that many women fear seeking treatment due to the potential backlash from their families and communities. The fear of being judged, isolated, or losing support from a spouse, children, or parents often prevents them from getting help. He added that unlike male addicts, who may find more accessible treatment options, women are frequently met with silence and shame - resulting in a dangerous lack of gender-sensitive support systems.

"A growing number of school and university girls falling into addiction due to peer pressure, neglect, or academic stress," he said, and described that addiction is often linked to deeper mental health issues like depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder, and requires holistic care, detox, therapy, and emotional healing.