Seek out for help
The possibilities are endless; simply because you are not able to see one, does not mean that there does not exist one.
Yesterday when I was returning from the seminar hall, a boy asked me[1] for a way to the Satpura hostel. I asked him whether he was a research student. He revealed that he was a resident of Satpura hostel only, and has forgot the way to it. I insisted on more information and he said that he was drunk and was a fourth-year B.Tech. student. He was from the EE1 department. I asked whether he had voluntarily consumed alcohol or did someone persuaded him against his will. He said that because of too much pressure from academics(and life), he was looking for some way to vent out his stress and the decision to consume it(alcohol) was his own. I held his elbow to direct him to his hostel but he said, he had friends sitting near Amul whom he needed to take along with him. So I gave him direction and we parted.
Two things struck me:
The degree to which alcohol affects the brain so much that, one is not aware of the way even to their home. It was my first time closely watching this and pondering on this.
The seemingly normal-looking face hides a lot of things and the practices(social) which we consider far-fetched in our imagination could be being played out by some.
At the moment, I am not able to fathom the severity of the problem, but if you ever feel that you are stressed out or need to talk to someone, or are troubled by something, consider sharing it with me.
I know that alcohol consumption is not a big issue as people have turned or are about to turn 21, but people turning to substance abuse as a means of venting out stress might point to a serious underlying issue.
Wishing best,
Shubham Kumar
Email: professorshubham8625@gmail.com
[1] I was accompanied by a friend.