On National Anti-Drug Addiction Day, it's crucial to highlight the growing challenge of substance abuse in India. In India, commonly used and easily accessible drugs include cannabis (bhang, ganja, charas), heroin (chitta), opium, prescription drugs (painkillers, sedatives), alcohol, tobacco, etc.

There is a devastating impact of heroin, commonly referred to as 'chitta' in regions like Punjab and Jammu. It's often sold at affordable prices, making it readily accessible to vulnerable populations, including young adults and adolescents. The ease with which drugs like 'chitta' are accessible has created an alarming addiction crisis, affecting countless individuals and their families.

Recovery from drug addiction is a monumental achievement, but the battle doesn’t end with the completion of a rehab program. The post-recovery phase is often the most challenging. Returning home to environments where drugs like 'chitta' are easily available poses a significant risk of relapse.

So, how can someone who has completed a drug abuse recovery program thrive in such high-risk settings?

Building Resilience Through Mental Health Support

Substance abuse recovery is a complex and often arduous journey that involves much more than just overcoming physical dependence on drugs or alcohol. While detoxification and physical rehabilitation are critical first steps, sustaining long-term sobriety requires addressing the profound mental and emotional impacts of addiction since substance abuse and mental health are deeply interconnected. Many individuals who struggle with addiction may also face underlying mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), etc.

The psychological impact of addiction can leave an individual vulnerable to anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges. Regular therapy and counselling can help them manage their emotions and reduce the temptation to relapse. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) are especially effective in helping individuals cope with cravings and triggers.

This is why, rehabilitation centres ensure post-recovery follow-up sessions for continued psychological support and post-recovery assistance.

Addressing Trauma

Many individuals who struggle with addiction may have experienced trauma, whether it’s childhood abuse, violence, or other significant emotional upheavals. Unresolved trauma can act as a persistent emotional burden, driving individuals toward substance use as a way to numb their pain. By addressing the root causes of trauma through therapy, individuals can begin to heal and move forward in their recovery journey with a sense of closure and emotional freedom.

Practicing Mindfulness and Stress Management

Stress is a major trigger for relapse, especially in environments where drugs are easily accessible. Emotions like stress, anxiety, sadness, and anger can all serve as powerful triggers for substance use. Incorporating mindfulness practices like meditation, yoga, and breathing exercises can help recovering individuals manage stress and anxiety. They can be effective in helping the person shift focus from distressing thoughts to calming practices. They help cultivate awareness of one’s thoughts and feelings, allowing for better regulation of emotional responses to stress.

By addressing mental health concerns through therapy and by practicing mindfulness-based exercises, individuals can learn to identify and cope with these emotional triggers in healthier ways.

Physical Wellness

Exercise, in particular, has been shown to reduce cravings and improve mood by releasing endorphins—natural mood-enhancing chemicals in the brain. Regular physical activity can also help reduce anxiety and depression.

Developing Strong Support Systems

Having a solid social network is crucial for anyone trying to maintain sobriety. Friends, family, and loved ones can serve as a vital source of support. Engaging loved ones in the recovery process through family therapy can help them understand the challenges of addiction and provide the individual with much-needed emotional backing. Additionally, surrounding oneself with sober peers or mentors who have successfully navigated recovery can be a strong protective factor. These relationships help to reinforce positive behaviors and create an environment of accountability and encouragement.

Relapse Prevention Planning

A detailed relapse prevention plan should be a key part of the post-recovery process. This plan can help individuals identify personal triggers (such as stress, certain places, or social settings) and develop coping strategies to manage them effectively. Another important aspect of relapse prevention is having an emergency action plan in place.

When drugs are readily available in one's home environment, it’s vital to establish boundaries. This could mean avoiding certain social circles, staying away from known drug hotspots, or moving to a new location if feasible. Changing one’s physical environment, if possible, can significantly reduce the chances of encountering triggers.

Developing New and Healthy Habits

Boredom and a lack of purpose can often lead to relapse. Individuals need to cultivate new hobbies and interests that provide meaning and fulfillment. Engaging in creative pursuits, volunteering, or taking up new courses can help reduce idle time and provide a positive focus

Moreover, communities should invest in rehabilitation centers, counseling programs, and post-recovery support systems to help individuals reintegrate into society.

National Anti-Drug Addiction Day reminds us that overcoming addiction is not just about detoxifying the body but also about healing the mind. Mental health support, strong social systems, and relapse prevention strategies are essential for maintaining sobriety, especially in high-risk environments.

By integrating psychological therapies, wellness practices, and strong support systems, individuals can not only overcome addiction but also lead fulfilling, meaningful lives in recovery. With continuous support and the right interventions, it is possible for recovering individuals to navigate environments where drugs are prevalent and to reclaim their lives with dignity and hope.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects about 37 million people in the United States and approximately 90% do not even know they have it (National Kidney Foundation). Despite its global relevance, we still have no cure for it and its treatment usually consists of managing the symptoms to slow down the progress of the disease. However, a new discovery may have changed these odds.

Scientists from The University of Manchester and Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust have made a big discovery that could change how we treat CKD. They have found new ways to predict how the disease will get worse, which could lead to a simple blood or urine test for patients.

In a recent study published in the American Journal of Nephrology, researchers found that a special marker called Kidney Injury Molecule-1 (KIM-1) can predict a patient's risk of both kidney failure and death. This is the first time these two factors have been measured together, giving doctors a much better understanding of a patient's overall risk.

What Is Chronic Kidney Disease?

Your kidneys are vital organs that do many important jobs to keep your body healthy. They act like a filter, removing waste and extra water. They also help control your blood pressure, keep your bones healthy, and help your body make red blood cells.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) happens when your kidneys are damaged over a long period (at least three months) and can't do these important jobs well. Because it develops slowly, CKD also raises your risk of other health problems, like heart disease and stroke. Doctors divide CKD into five stages to help guide treatment.

What Makes This Discovery So Important?

Right now, doctors find it hard to predict how CKD will progress because it can be very different for each person. One patient's condition might stay stable for years, while another's might suddenly get worse. The standard tests used today don’t give a full picture, often missing important clues like inflammation. This means patients with the same disease stage often get the same treatment, even if their risk levels are completely different.

This new research helps doctors see the "hidden drivers" of the diseasey—the actual biological changes happening inside the body. Dr. Thomas McDonnell, the lead researcher, said that these findings could lead to a more personalized approach to care.

How This Could Help Patients

With this new information, doctors would be able to:

Help high-risk patients sooner

Doctors could identify patients who are most likely to get worse and start more aggressive treatments earlier, which could make a big difference in their health.

Avoid unnecessary treatments

For patients at a low risk, doctors could prevent them from getting over-treated, which means fewer medical appointments and less stress.

Living with CKD can be tough, but this new discovery offers hope for better, more targeted care. By giving doctors a clearer look at each patient's individual risk, it could help people with chronic kidney disease live more active and fulfilling lives.

What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of CKD?

Many people with CKD don't notice any symptoms until the disease is in its later stages. When symptoms do appear, they can include:

• Foamy urine, or urinating more or less often than usual
• Itchy, dry skin
• Feeling very tired
• Nausea or loss of appetite
• Weight loss without trying

In more advanced stages of CKD, you might also experience:

• Trouble thinking clearly
• Swelling or numbness in your arms, legs, or feet
• Achy muscles or cramps
• Shortness of breath
• Vomiting
• Trouble sleeping
• Breath that smells like ammonia (or a "fishy" smell)

The American Heart Association (AHA) has updated its official recommendations for dealing with high blood pressure, replacing the old rules from 2017. These new guidelines are the result of a deep look into the latest research, providing doctors and patients with better information on how to understand, prevent, and treat high blood pressure. They are designed to be a clearer, more effective guide for everyone.

High blood pressure is one of the biggest silent killers globally. Although many people suffer from it, most do not make the necessary changes to ensure that their health doesn’t deteriorate. A global estimate of about 1.28 billion adults aged 30-79 years has hypertension, according to the World Health Organizations (WHO). It is also estimated that 46% of these people are unaware that they have the condition.

To ensure that people keep their health in check, government and health institutions issue health guidelines that help people take care of their health.

What Are The Latest Changes To High Blood Pressure Guidelines?

The new guidelines highlight several key points:

Brain Health

There is now stronger evidence linking high blood pressure to an increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Managing your blood pressure now may help protect your brain in the future.

Leading Risk Factor

High blood pressure remains the top risk factor for serious health problems like stroke, coronary artery disease, heart failure, and AFib.

Pregnancy-Related Hypertension

The new guidelines feature specific blood pressure categories for pregnant individuals to help detect serious risks, such as preeclampsia. Regular blood pressure checks are now considered crucial. It's important for expectant mothers to monitor their blood pressure closely before, during, and after pregnancy to ensure their health and the safety of their baby.

• Normal blood pressure is when your top number is less than 140 and your bottom number is less than 90.
• Hypertension in pregnancy is when your top number is 140 or higher, or your bottom number is 90 or higher.
• Severe hypertension is when your top number is 160 or higher, or your bottom number is 110 or higher.

Tips for Managing Your Blood Pressure

You can take steps to manage or prevent high blood pressure through a combination of lifestyle changes and, if needed, medication. For the most accurate reading, sit with your back supported, feet flat on the floor, and arm extended at heart level.

Dietary Changes

• Aim for less than 2,300 mg of sodium per day (about one teaspoon of salt). The ideal goal is less than 1,500 mg.
• Follow a heart-healthy diet like the DASH eating plan, which focuses on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and low-fat dairy.
• Drinking less or no alcohol can help lower your blood pressure.
• Losing even a small amount of weight (at least 5% of your body weight) can help lower blood pressure. For example, if you weigh 180 pounds, losing just 9 pounds can make a difference.
• Activities like meditation, controlled breathing, or yoga can help.
• Ask your healthcare professional about other conditions that can cause high blood pressure, such as sleep apnea, diabetes, and thyroid problems.

What Does General Blood Pressure Look Like?

It's important for everyone to understand their blood pressure numbers. The new guidelines classify blood pressure into these categories:

Normal: Your top number is less than 120 and your bottom number is less than 80.

Elevated: Your top number is between 120 and 129, and your bottom number is less than 80.

Stage 1 Hypertension: Your top number is between 130 and 139, or your bottom number is between 80 and 89.

Stage 2 Hypertension: Your top number is 140 or higher, or your bottom number is 90 or higher.

A hypertensive crisis is a medical emergency that occurs when your blood pressure is higher than 180/120. If your blood pressure reaches this level and you have symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, or numbness, you should call emergency services. If you need a health and diet guide, you can follow the ‘Life’s Essential 8’, the guideline that helps keep our health a priority by the American Heart Association.

The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), under Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has been touting its “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) initiative as a turning point in public health. Framed as one of Kennedy’s signature achievements, the report promised bold action to address America’s chronic health crises: obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and the overprescription of pharmaceuticals.

A draft version obtained by reporters tells a different story. Instead of sweeping reforms to food, farming, or pharmaceutical regulation, the MAHA report leans heavily on additional research studies, awareness campaigns, and incremental policy suggestions. For a coalition that expected Kennedy to challenge entrenched interests—from pesticide manufacturers to Big Food—the document feels less like a revolution and more like a compromise.

What Are The Four Problem Areas?

The draft report identifies four main drivers of chronic disease in the United States:

• Poor diets dominated by ultraprocessed foods, sugars, and additives.
• Chemical exposure from pesticides and environmental pollutants.
• Lack of physical activity, worsened by sedentary jobs and urban lifestyles.
• Overuse of prescription medications, particularly among children and older adults.

These themes mirror Kennedy’s longstanding critiques of America’s health system. Yet, the policies outlined in the draft stop short of mandating aggressive reform. Instead, they recommend more studies, more definitions, and more “public awareness” campaigns.

Where the Bold Promises Fall Short In MAHA Report?

Kennedy built his reputation criticizing chemicals like glyphosate, high-fructose corn syrup, and ultraprocessed snacks that dominate the American diet. Farmers and food manufacturers braced for the MAHA report to recommend bans or new regulations. Instead, the draft calls for a public “confidence-building” campaign to reassure Americans about pesticides.

This pivot has disappointed many in Kennedy’s own coalition. Public health experts like Marion Nestle, professor emerita of nutrition at NYU, argue the draft contradicts the urgency of America’s chronic disease crisis. “The first report promised bold policies to protect children’s health. No such luck here,” she told reporters.

Industry Relief, Activist Frustration

For the agricultural sector, the draft report is a relief. It proposes partnerships with major farm companies and research into “precision technology” to help reduce pesticide use—steps that industry leaders see as constructive rather than combative.

But health advocates feel sidelined. Kari Hamerschlag, deputy director of food and agriculture at Friends of the Earth, warned that without funding, the report’s recommendations won’t translate into healthier outcomes. “This is not going to transform our food and farming system. They need to put resources behind their recommendations,” she said.

Processed Foods and the Unfinished Fight

Perhaps the biggest surprise in the draft is its limited attention to ultraprocessed foods. The MAHA movement originally spotlighted processed snacks and additives as central culprits in the nation’s obesity epidemic. But the draft only mentions that government agencies will “define” ultraprocessed foods and continue education campaigns.

Former FDA Commissioner Dr. David Kessler has argued that ingredients like refined sugars and flours should be declared unsafe. Yet the draft sidesteps any such regulatory proposals, leaving critics frustrated. Dr. Jim Krieger of Healthy Food America noted: “What about removing them from schools? Restricting marketing? Labeling packages? None of that is here.”

Research Without Teeth

The draft MAHA document devotes significant space to research priorities. It calls for the National Institutes of Health (already facing severe budget cuts under the Trump administration) to study vaccine injury, autism, infertility, prescription drug use, and nutrition. It also proposes AI-driven tools to accelerate research on pediatric cancers.

While these initiatives sound ambitious, they are contingent on funding that may never materialize. Without resources, they risk becoming yet another set of unfulfilled promises.

The Political Undercurrent

The White House has been cautious about the report’s release. A spokesperson called the draft “speculative literature” until officially endorsed. But insiders suggest the policies align closely with what was already previewed to the administration.

That alignment may explain the softened language around pesticides and ultraprocessed foods. For an administration prioritizing farmer support and deregulation, MAHA’s original vision of challenging chemical companies and processed food giants was politically untenable.

Is The New MAHA Report Building Bridges or Losing Focus?

Calley Means, one of Kennedy’s advisers, urged supporters to “build bridges” with farmers and agribusiness rather than treat them as enemies. It’s a pragmatic strategy, but critics argue it dilutes the urgency of tackling the systemic causes of poor health.

David Murphy, a former Kennedy finance director and now founder of United We Eat, framed the debate succinctly: “No one’s trying to take away farmers’ rights to grow food. We’re asking companies whose products cause harm to be held liable.” That principle, however, is largely absent from the draft.

What This Means for The People of America?

For everyday Americans grappling with obesity, diabetes, or high medical bills, the draft report offers little immediate relief. It encourages healthier diets, more exercise, and reduced reliance on medications—but without meaningful changes to food policy, medical regulation, or funding streams, these remain aspirational goals.

In essence, the report acknowledges the crises but avoids decisive confrontation with the industries fueling them. The result is a strategy that risks being too cautious to make a measurable impact.

The MAHA Commission’s final report is expected soon, but public health advocates are already voicing skepticism. Hundreds have signed letters urging the administration to address chemical exposures and ultraprocessed foods more directly. Whether those appeals shape the final draft remains to be seen.

What’s clear is that America’s chronic health problems—rising obesity, diabetes, cancer, and mental health conditions—demand more than “awareness campaigns.” Without stronger action, the “Make America Healthy Again” slogan risks becoming another empty political catchphrase.