Charas Addiction: Signs, Side Effects, and When to Seek Help

Charas Addiction: Signs, Side Effects, and When to Seek Help

Charas addiction is about compulsive use that leads to physical and psychological dependence. It impacts mental, physical, financial, cognitive, and social health. So, understanding the side effects, recognizing the common signs of addiction, and seeking professional help is important.

Charas is a potent form of cannabis. It is a resinous extract that is collected by hand-rubbing the flowers and leaves of the female Cannabis sativa or indica plant. Now, let's understand hashish vs. charas.

Hashish is made through mechanical processing of dried marijuana plants, whereas charas is extracted manually from live plants. So, the psychoactive compounds of cannabis, like THC, are more concentrated in charas. This results in significantly more intense psychoactive experience but also a higher risk of dependence and side effects.

The high potency of charas also means that signs of addiction show up quickly, making it necessary to seek help on time. If you, too, are at risk of charas addiction, then keep reading to learn about the signs, side effects, and the right time to seek rehabilitation.

How Charas is Different from Ganja

Let’s talk about the difference between charas and ganja. Charas is a more potent resin concentrate extracted from live plants by hand. On the other hand, ganja simply refers to marijuana, which is the direct flowers or leaves of cannabis plants. So, ganja is less concentrated, while charas is purer and stronger in terms of THC content. 

Table 1: Difference between Charas and Ganja

Warning Signs of Charas Addiction

Here are the behavioural and physiological changes caused by charas addiction.

Behavioral Indicators

You can sense charas addiction based on several key behavioural changes.

• Isolation: You may find yourself getting isolated from friends and family. You may not feel like attending events or engaging in plans where smoking charas is not involved.
• Evading Responsibilities: You will lose the mental energy to fulfil work, school, and personal responsibilities. You may also start neglecting grooming and personal hygiene. 
• Secretive Behaviours: You will find the need to hide charas paraphernalia. You will also find it necessary to lie about your whereabouts. 
• Frequent Troubles: You may find yourself frequently getting into legal or financial troubles stemming from charas use and possession.
• Charas Obsession: You may develop an obsessive focus on getting and smoking charas, even during days when you catch a cold, develop a cough, or have a sore throat.
  

Physical Changes

The charas effects are not just limited to behavioural changes. Charas addiction can be spotted through physical signs as well.

• Chronic Fatigue: You may always feel tired to engage in activities, especially after smoking charas.
• Low Motivation: You will lose the drive to engage in activities that you otherwise used to find interesting. 
• Appetite Changes: You may notice changes in your eating habits, such as increased or decreased appetite, resulting in weight gain or loss. 
• Sleep Disturbance: You might find it difficult to fall asleep or have disturbing dreams. 
• Tolerance: You will develop tolerance to charas effects, requiring more dose over time to achieve the same psychoactive feel. 
• Withdrawal Symptoms: You might experience unpleasant physical symptoms like nausea, sweating, tremors, and muscle cramping when trying to quit.
  

Psychological Changes

Here are some psychological indicators of charas addiction.

• Memory and Concentration Problems: You may experience cognitive impairments that will affect your ability to remember information and focus. 
• Increased Anxiety, Depression, and Paranoia: Mood disturbances may develop or worsen with frequent use and during withdrawal. 
• Aggression and Irritability: You may experience significant mood swings and a short temper. 
• Psychosis: Severe side effects of smoking charas may include psychotic symptoms. 
  

Detrimental Side Effects

Charas side effects can be detrimental to your physical and mental health. They can impact your emotions and result in social and personal consequences.

Physical Health Risks

• Respiratory Issues: Smoking charas can affect your throat, lungs, and the entire respiratory system. It can lead to chronic cough and bronchitis. 
• Cardiovascular Issues: The active compounds in charas can impact your cardiovascular system. You may suffer from higher blood pressure and an increased heart rate. 
• Cognitive Issues: The charas effects are particularly concerning for young users. It can lead to significant long-term effects on brain development and cognitive function.
  

Mental & Emotional Impact

• Impaired Judgement: Smoking charas can impair your judgement and coordination significantly. 
• Mental Health Disorders: Conditions like psychosis, schizophrenia, or severe depression may develop or exacerbate.
• Amotivational Syndrome: Heavy use of charas is linked to amotivational syndrome, leading to apathy and reduced productivity.
  

Social & Personal Consequences

• Damaged Relationships: Charas addiction can erode trust and result in conflicts. It will lead to social withdrawal and broken bonds.
• Career/Academic Failure: Smoking charas and the resulting memory and concentration issues can lead to poor job performance, absenteeism, academic dropout, and unemployment. 
• Financial Instability: Maintaining the addiction is costly. When this factor is combined with joblessness, you may end up with drained finances, debt, and poverty.
  

Recognising When to Seek Help

You can feel the side effects of smoking charas on your health, finances, psychology, relationships, and overall well-being. So, early intervention is necessary. Seeking help sooner rather than later can improve the outcomes for you. Here are the signs when seeking help is essential.

• You realise and acknowledge that you are having problems, but you are unable to stop smoking charas on your own.
• Charas addiction is significantly interfering with your daily life, health, finances, social connections, and safety.
• You are experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms when trying to quit, making you feel distressed and helpless.
• Your loved ones are persistently raising valid concerns over your habit of smoking charas.
  

Need Professional Help to Quit Addiction?

Charas addiction can be recognised by signs like chronic lethargy and social withdrawal. The side effects of smoking charas can include respiratory issues, cardiovascular problems, and declining mental and cognitive health. 

Recovery is entirely possible with professional treatment and proper support. On a similar note, seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. By seeking health, you can demonstrate a willingness to acknowledge the problem and take back the charge of your life. Remember that any form of addiction is a medical condition, with charas addiction being highly treatable. So, if you are struggling or know someone who is, reach out to professionals today!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are the common visible signs that someone has just smoked charas?

The most common visible sign that someone has just smoked charas is red, bloodshot eyes. You may also notice unusual skunky or sweet smells on their clothes or breath. Moreover, you may find them having dry mouths, for which they may temporarily increase water intake. Inappropriate laughter, increased appetite, distorted perception of time and distance, sudden lack of energy, poor muscle coordination and reaction time, and difficulty concentrating are also visible signs.

2. What are the treatment options available for charas addiction?

Treatment for charas addiction varies depending on individual needs and the severity of the issue.  Rehabilitation programs, support groups, and behavioral therapies are popular options. Detoxification is also done for handling physical symptoms of withdrawal. Holistic approaches involving nutrition, exercise, and mindfulness are also available for faster recovery.

3. Is there a stage when charas addiction is no longer treatable?

No, there is no stage at which charas addiction becomes completely untreatable. Remember that treating cases of severe, long-term addiction is more challenging. But treatment always remains possible, and recovery is a potential outcome with therapeutic and medical support.