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Heroin Addiction and Related Clinical Problems: 2020, 22, N2 (pages: 29 - 34)

Assessing the Medical and Psychological Problems Faced by ‘Majun-e-falak Sair' Addicts

Jan S.U.K., Ali A., and Asad A.Z.

Summary: Background: Pakistan has traditionally been one of the cannabis and opium producing countries. Both cannabis and opiates have been used and abused in raw form and through derivatives. One of the opium- and cannabis-based derivatives is known as ‘Majun-e-falak Sair'; it has highly addictive characteristics and makes addicts physically and psychologically dependent on it. Aim: The aim of the current study has been to analyse the medical and psychological problems faced by a highly addictive opium- and cannabis-based narcotic drug mixture that is prepared locally and known as ‘Majun-e-falak Sair'. Methods: An exploratory study was conducted by selecting 384 respondents; the addicts chosen were traced through the snowball sampling technique. To test the association between dependent and independent variables a Chi-squared test was applied. Results: Our results showed that a majority (n=245, 63.80%) of the respondents were married, (n=102, 26.54%), with an age range of 31-40 years. At bivariate level, a highly significant (p=00.5) relationship was found between medical and psychological problems and ‘Majun-e-falak Sair' use, comprising: dry mouth, mood disorder, muscle cramps and spasms, kidney problems, high blood pressure, effects on teeth, irregular heartbeat, memory problems, constipation, even loss of consciousness. In addition, a highly significant (p=0.05) relationship was discovered between various medical and psychological problems and ‘Majun-e-falak Sair' withdrawal i.e. hallucinations, muscle and joint pain, insomnia, mood disorders, aggressiveness, sexual dysfunctions, dysentery, bodily weakness, headaches, runny nose, haematuria and rectal bleeding. Conclusions: The study found that ‘Majun-e-falak Sair' is a strong narcotic drug which can lead to many medical and psychological problems.