Addiction is no longer limited to narcotics but now includes increasingly prevalent behavioural dependencies such as compulsive smartphone use, social media obsession, and gaming addiction, experts warned on 24-June-2025 during a seminar marking World Drug Day 2025.
Alarmed by the surge in substance abuse and behavioral addictions among young Pakistanis, mental health specialists and addiction experts called for a nationwide, integrated response to tackle opiate use, digital dependency, vaping, and other emerging trends that are undermining youth mental health, academic performance, and social development.
The seminar, titled “Breaking the Chains: Pathways to Prevention & Recovery”, was organised by the Institute of Professional Psychology at Bahria University Karachi in collaboration with the Sindh Mental Health Authority.
It brought together a multidisciplinary panel of psychiatrists, psychologists, and officials from Dow University of Health Sciences, the University of Karachi, the Anti-Narcotics Force, and Bahria University.
Speakers highlighted rising concerns over synthetic stimulant abuse, cultural normalisation of substance use, and the widespread use of vaping among adolescents. Experts noted that without urgent awareness campaigns, community engagement, and early intervention, Pakistan could face a deepening public health crisis related to addiction and mental health disorders.
A key focus of the discussion was the importance of integrating clinical psychiatry with psychotherapy in prevention and recovery efforts. While psychiatrists elaborated on pharmacological treatment and the biological underpinnings of addiction, psychologists emphasized the role of counseling, behavioral therapy, and peer support systems for long-term recovery.
The event opened with a recitation from the Holy Quran and an inaugural address by Senator Karim Khwaja, chairman of the Sindh Mental Health Authority. He stressed the need for strong policy frameworks, institutional collaboration, and increased funding for mental health and addiction services across the country.
Rear Admiral (retd) Muhammad Zubair Shafique, Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Military), director general of Bahria University Karachi Campus, delivered the closing remarks. He reaffirmed the university’s commitment to promoting mental health awareness and building a drug-free, responsible student community. “Our institutions must lead in nurturing resilience and guiding youth toward healthier life choices,” he said.
The seminar was attended by students and faculty from the Institute of Professional Psychology and other departments of Bahria University. Organisers said the event served as a vital platform for exchanging ideas, raising awareness, and equipping future professionals with the knowledge needed to address Pakistan’s growing addiction burden.
Bahria University and its partners reiterated their commitment to supporting community mental health initiatives and urged the public, policymakers, and educators to treat addiction as a serious health issue requiring sustained, cross-sectoral action.
Published in News Daily on 26 June 2025.