Addiction is a psychological attachment to certain effects-such  as euphoria and temporary feeling of well-being associated with drugs and alcohol.

Four reasons for drug addiction :

1. Peer pressure: Peer pressure is a powerful force which can compel one to take up drugs and alcohol. The desire to become socially accepted also drives one towards addiction as saying no can have painful consequences, ranging from being laughed at or mildly teased, to being humiliated, rejected, and even bullied.

2. Curiosity : Often the use of drug is started just out of curiosity to know it feels. Constant description by friends of the good feeling by drug consumption creates a temptation and breaks the barrier in the youngsters.

3. Family history : If any one in the family has a history of taking up drugs, their children also get on to that habit.

4. Excitement and Adventure : The feeling of excitement and adventure that comes along with the use of drugs often makes people to take drugs.

 Four main methods of treatment of mental illness.

(l)If mental illness is due to any damage to the structure of brain due to injury, infection, poor blood supply, degenerative, then drugs are given :

Psychotropic drugs act on the brain and alter the behaviour, consciousness and capacity of perception. Hence these are also called mood-altering drugs. The psychotropic drugs are classified into four major groups—sedatives and tranquilisers, opiate narcotics, stimulants and hallucinogens.

(i) Sedatives and tranquilisers depress brain activity and produce a feeling of calmness, relaxation and drowsiness and higher dose, they induce sleep.

(ii) Opiate narcotics suppress pain, reduce anxiety and tension, cause lethargy. They produce a feeling of well being. Addiction to opium leads to loss of weight and interest in work.

(iii) Stimulants increase alterness and activity and may produce excitement. There are chances of psychologic dependence on stimulants, but physical dependence usually does not occur.

(iv) Hallucinogens can alter a person’s thoughts, feelings of perceptions. The sensations may be pleasant or more usually unpleasant.

(2) If mental illness is due to prolonged intake of alcohol then stoppage of alcohol and medical treatment.

(3) If mental illness is due to nutritional deficiencies then vitamin rich nutritional diets should be given.

(4) If mental illness is due to family atmosphere then there is a need to make healthy family atmosphere.