Substance abuse among youth is not just an addiction problem—it is deeply rooted in society, peer pressure, and gender expectations.

🔍 Meet Atul Nimare, an Udaan Fellow at Synergy Sansthan, who has been working on a project idea on understanding why young people turn to substance use. His journey started with a personal realization—he was just 8-9 years old when he first became aware of substance use. Through his project, he explored the hidden reasons behind this growing issue.

Many boys don’t get a space to share what they’re going through. They are told to ‘man up’ instead of expressing emotions. And when they don’t have an outlet, they turn to substances as an escape.

Key Insights from His Research:
🔹 Peer Pressure & Social Expectations: Many young people fear being mocked, isolated, or bullied if they don’t engage in substance use. “If you don’t smoke or drink, you’re not cool”—this mindset pushes them towards addiction.

🔹 Masculinity & Societal Norms: The belief that “real men drink and do nasha” is deeply ingrained. Many boys see their male elders engaging in substance use and perceive it as a symbol of strength and adulthood.

🔹 Patriarchy Affects Boys Too: While patriarchy is often seen as an issue affecting women, Atul points out, “I now realize that patriarchy and masculinity don’t just impact girls; they deeply affect boys too.” Young men are not allowed to express vulnerability, leading them to suppress emotions and resort to harmful coping mechanisms.

🔹 Breaking the Cycle: The real question we need to ask is:
Do young people get addicted because of dependence, or because they need to prove their masculinity?

Watch Atul’s powerful insights and join the conversation. Let’s break the stereotypes and create safe spaces for youth to express themselves without judgment.

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