On 11/8, Dr. Nguyen Thanh Long, Deputy Head of Ward M2 at the Bach Mai Hospital's Institute of Mental Health, reported on a 21-year-old patient, the eldest child in her family, with no prior health issues. After graduating from high school, she stayed home to help her family. At 16, she began experimenting with drugs due to peer pressure during social gatherings.
Initially, she used drugs out of curiosity and for the euphoric feeling, but the frequency and dosage gradually increased. She became restless and depressed when not using, even experiencing auditory hallucinations, hearing voices in her head and talking to herself.
Her personality changed, becoming irritable, sometimes verbally and physically abusing her mother. Her family sought psychiatric treatment, which temporarily alleviated the symptoms. However, 3 to 4 months after stopping medication on her own, the symptoms returned, more severe than before.
This time, she was diagnosed with substance-induced psychotic disorder with mixed features. After 25 days of intensive treatment, her condition has stabilized.
 |
A patient undergoing treatment at the Institute of Mental Health. Photo: Le Nga |
A patient undergoing treatment at the Institute of Mental Health. Photo: Le Nga
The hospital has recently seen a surge in adolescents admitted for substance abuse. Popular drugs among young people include cannabis, MDMA, GHB, rohypnol, ketamine, and newer substances like "synthetic marijuana", blotter paper, "bua luoi" (drug-laced stamps or strips), and synthetic cannabis oil (ADB). These are often packaged attractively and sold for just a few hundred thousand Vietnamese dong.
"Not only are the numbers increasing, but the patients are getting younger. Many start using as young as 10, right at the onset of puberty," Dr. Long observed. The main reason is that during adolescence, young people want to assert themselves, but their awareness is still limited, making them vulnerable to temptation. The initial euphoria piques their curiosity but quickly leads to dependence.
Access to and purchase of these substances are increasingly easy through social media. The cost isn't prohibitive, and they are often disguised as candies, e-cigarettes, or essential oils.
Substance abuse severely impacts both physical and mental health, negatively affecting academic performance and work. Warning signs that families and schools should watch out for include: declining academic performance, truancy, unusual friendships, unexplained spending, mood swings, and irritability. When not using substances, young people often experience restlessness, sadness, and insomnia.
Experts recommend close collaboration between families and schools to monitor students' studies, relationships, and activities. They also emphasize the importance of educating young people about the dangers of drugs, refusal skills, and self-protection against temptation.
Le Nga
