ISLAMABAD: In Pakistan, the issue of women battling drug addiction remains largely invisible, concealed by stigma, silence, and fear of social rejection. Many women suffer in isolation, too afraid to seek help due to societal judgment and family shame.
“I didn’t even realize when it got out of hand,” shared a young woman in recovery, speaking anonymously from a rehabilitation center. Her story echoes the experiences of countless others—and now, health professionals and activists are calling for urgent, compassionate intervention before more lives are lost to silence and neglect.
Dr. Shamsher Hayat, a clinical psychologist and CEO of Hayat Rehab Clinic, emphasized the growing scale of the crisis. “Addiction among women is on the rise, but most cases go unreported,” he told APP. “Families are hesitant to bring daughters or wives for treatment out of fear of being judged.” He highlighted how addiction is increasingly affecting school- and university-aged girls, driven by academic stress, peer pressure, or emotional neglect.
According to Dr. Hayat, addiction is often rooted in deeper mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder and requires a holistic treatment approach that includes detox, psychological therapy, and emotional support. He stressed that whether the substance is cannabis, heroin, alcohol, prescription medication, or synthetic drugs like methamphetamine, the consequences are devastating—not just physically, but emotionally and mentally, often straining relationships and family dynamics.
The ripple effects of female addiction extend beyond the individual, impacting children, breaking families apart, and adding to the nation’s mental health burden. Yet, widespread misconceptions continue to associate addiction with moral failure. Gender-insensitive healthcare systems and harmful media portrayals only intensify the problem, while overprescription of medications adds another layer of complexity.
Psychologist Zunaira Hamid explained that women are particularly vulnerable to addiction due to emotional trauma, hormonal fluctuations, and stress. “Many women use drugs as a coping mechanism. Hormonal cycles can also increase the risk of relapse,” she noted. Despite these gender-specific factors, most rehab facilities in Pakistan are ill-equipped to provide women-centric care, making recovery even more difficult.
Students are increasingly aware of the silent crisis. Umaima Gull, a computer science student at Asia Pacific University in Malaysia, said she knows many girls who turn to marijuana or pills to escape toxic friendships, stress, or personal trauma. “But the stigma keeps them silent. It’s not a moral failure — these women are survivors of trauma or mental health issues, not weak-willed individuals.”
Ainabia Faisal, an A-Level student at Cedar College in Karachi, pointed out that while drug use may not be visible in schools, the problem is clearly growing. “Girls face harsher judgment. Peer pressure and unresolved trauma are major reasons why some turn to substances,” she said.
In many Western countries such as Germany, Canada, and the UK, female addiction is treated as a public health issue. Women have access to gender-sensitive rehab programs that include medical detox, trauma-informed therapy, childcare support, and reintegration plans. Public awareness campaigns help reduce stigma, and government-backed services ensure that financial constraints or fear of judgment do not prevent access to treatment.
In contrast, Pakistani women are often forced into silence. Lack of proper facilities, societal condemnation, and absence of supportive healthcare policies keep them from seeking help.
Dr. Zainab, a psychiatrist with expertise in addiction treatment, stressed the need for early intervention. “Shame and fear delay treatment. By the time many women come forward, their addiction has already taken a severe toll. Addiction is treatable—and women need empathy, not silence.”
It’s time to break the silence. Pakistan needs gender-sensitive rehab centers, strong family support, public awareness initiatives, and policies that treat addicted women with dignity and care.
Because behind every addiction is a lived reality—and behind every story is a woman who needs to be seen, supported, and heard.
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