I. Introduction and Definition
Smoking is the inhalation of the smoke of burning tobacco encased in cigarettes, pipes, and cigars. Casual smoking is the act of smoking only occasionally, usually in a social situation or to relive stress. A smoking habit is a physical addiction to tobacco products. Many health experts now regard habitual smoking as a psychological addiction, too, and one with serious health consequences. Alcoholism is a disease that produces both physical and psychological addiction. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant that reduces anxiety, inhibition, and feelings of guilt. It lowers alertness and impairs perception, judgement, and motor coordination. In high doses, it can cause loss of consciousness and even death. Alcoholism is a disease that damages a lot of important organs like; the brain, liver, heart, etc. Substance abuse refers to the harmful use of psychoactive substances, including alcohol and illicit drugs. Lastly, suicide is the act of killing yourself, most often as a result of depression or other mental illness. Prior to the late 19th century, suicide was legally defined as a criminal act in most Western countries. In the social climate of the early 2000s, however, suicidal behaviour is most commonly regarded and responded to as a psychiatric emergency.
II. Types / Kinds / Examples
There are plenty different types of smoking. The first type is the bidis they consist of tobacco wrapped in a tendu or temburni leaf (plants native to
There is presently much controversy regarding tobacco consumption and the effect that it has on first hand smokers and on the world as a whole. While millions of people from around the world are smokers and while the masses are generally familiar with the effects that tobacco has on society, people continue to accept smoking as one of the principal vices that society has to deal with. It is certainly worrying that people are presented with the harmful effects of smoking at a young age and that many come to ignore these effects later in their lives. Addiction and society's pressures influence individuals in expressing little to no interest in their wellbeing and in the wellbeing of individuals around them.
• Alcoholism is an addictive disease process characterized by: Craving and compulsions Loss of control Continued use despite adverse consequences
Alcohol abuse is the most common addictive behavior that is brewing amongst teens and adults. It is widely concerning and threatening to one’s family and social life. Many have tried to guest and speculate that alcohol abuse is due to many factors that include genetics, social, mental and emotional, and even how people around you raised you. Many also have speculated that people that we associates with that are alcoholics can be a factor also. It can be family and friends, schoolmates, and colleagues. Some also say that it can be due to emotional and psychological disorders such as depression, bipolar, or anxiety are factors of someone to drive to drinking to forget problems and to feel that disconnect from the disorders. Whatever the
The use of tobacco to satisfy nicotine addiction was introduced to Columbus by the Native Americans, which have spread rapidly to Europe. Tobacco use as cigarette became popular in the 20th century and raised the epidemic of disease caused by this form of tobacco use. This shift of using tobacco in cigarette form resulted in an increase smoke inhalation in the lungs leading to heart diseases, lung diseases, and a multitude of cancers and other diseases from its usage. Other forms of tobacco use include moist snuff deposited between the cheek and gum, chewing tobacco, pipes and cigars, bidi known as tobacco wrapped in tendu or temburni leaf commonly used in India, clove cigarettes, water pipes, and more recently, electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes,
Alcohol is a drink that consumed socially, but most often people take it too far and it becomes an addiction. Most people drink it to relax or even decrease the chances of having anxiety, but when consumed too often it becomes alcohol abuse called alcoholism. Alcoholism is an addiction of an uncontrollable desire to intake alcohol, alcoholism can also be known as alcohol dependency. Many people suffer from this addiction unknowingly the consequence it has on the brain. People who are addicted to alcohol is not only harming themselves but it can also affect the people around them and their daily lives. Loss of employment, deaths by car accidents, and health problems are some of the consequences of alcoholism.
Many substances can be abused such as, marijuana, prescription drugs, meth, cocaine, heroin, and alcohol. Substance abuse is the inability to stop using a substance despite the negative consequences. Death is the main leading cause of using any substance along with jail time, injuring the individual, others, or damaging the brain cells in the body. There are many different ways or reasons that contribute to an individual’s reason to begin substance abuse, such as, peer pressure in social gatherings, family problems, or the environment they are in as well as their own mental state.
Addiction is the term used when a person takes part in an activity, or ingests a substance that gives them pleasure, but then the continuous use of it becomes compulsive and starts interfering with their everyday life. The behaviour of an addict can easily be recognised as it represents confusing human activity. (Shaffer, 1996). These behaviours can include gambling, excessive sexual behaviours, smoking and drug and alcohol abuse.
Substance abuse and the addiction to these substances that can result takes a terrible toll on families and friends of an addict. The problem becomes even larger when we look at all the millions of addicts in society when we consider drugs, alcohol, smoking and all the other substances that people can become addicted to. These are addictions that have a powerful physiological effect on people but then there are behavioral addictions such as gambling. It has been commonplace over the past couple decades to regard those who face addiction as having a disease, but there are increasing numbers of experts who say this view is wrong.
Addiction is not just about using drugs, however it is about the effect it obtains on one’s life. Many may debate that this is just a habit, while other say it is way more. Increasing immensely among our society, addiction impedes on a person from achieving their dreams and goals in life. Not only does it hinder an individual, it can also lead to harming not only one’s body, as well as their family structure, and it plays a great role in delinquency in society. Addiction should be considered mental illness because it causes significant damage to the victim, takes control of the mind, leads to rational decisions that affects others and takes away their free will.
Addiction is the condition that occurs when a person ingests a substance such as alcohol, opiates, or nicotine; or engages in an activity such as gambling, sex, or shopping and allows the use or act to become compulsive and interfere with the function of life responsibilities, such as work, relationships, or health. Experts debate whether addiction is a "disease" or a true mental illness, whether drug dependence and addiction mean the same thing. Regardless of the argument, the increase in the drug addicted population and the continual rise in deficient metal health identification and treatment seem to go hand in hand. Individuals with mental illness often seek out drugs or behaviors to help them cope with their condition. The medical community
Alcoholism and alcohol abuse are different, although they have several connected characteristics, including genetics, how you were raised, social environment, and emotional health. Some of the following are indicators of alcohol abuse e.g., craving alcohol, having tried to quit in the past, but could not, spending longer time drinking than you expected, or continuing to drink even though it causes trouble with family or friends. An alcoholic is someone who has no control over alcohol and is unable to live a normal or healthy life; consequently, it causes a psychological and physical dependence upon alcohol. Alcoholics typically experience physical withdrawals when not drinking. Both disorders have a significant attribute for risky behavior e.g., drinking and driving or unsafe sex. Alcohol distresses all parts of the body, particularly the brain, pancreas, liver, and heart.
Drug use has been a part of human history since the beginning of time, with an especially steep incline in the 20th century. Amongst these drugs, the most commonly abused is alcohol. The National On Alcohol and Drug Dependence states that, 17.6 million people suffer from alcohol abuse or dependence. If this substance is so frequently abused, one must question what it is about alcohol that makes a person become dependent? Is it a choice or is it a side effect of the drug itself? In other words, is it a disease? In order to come to a conclusion on the topic, we must first define the nature of disease itself. According to Webster’s dictionary, it is “a condition that prevents the body or mind from working normally”. Based on this definition, alcoholism is a disease.
Substance abuse and mental health problems are serious issues in our society. These problems appear to be associated, so it is necessary to look at both and how they interact (Ramchand). Substance abuse can bring about or exacerbate existing mental health problems, including suicidal ideation and attempts. Medical professionals cannot begin to resolve the issue of substance abuse related suicidal ideation or attempts unless they have an effective solution. A solution cannot be created until there is enough evidence stating that there is a connection between substance abuse and suicide. Researchers need to consider the types of suicidal feelings, environmental factors, emotional factors, and substance abuse factors. Until then this problem will persist with devastating costs.
Cohen, E. L., Shumate, M. D., & Gold, A. (2007). Original: anti-smoking media campaign messages: theory and practice. Health Communication, 22(2), 91-102.
Alcohol and drug addictions are the greatest dangers to a healthy society nationwide. An addiction is “a condition that results when a person ingests a substance (e.g. alcohol, nicotine, cocaine) or engages in an activity (e.g. gambling) that can be pleasurable but the continued use/ act of which becomes compulsive and interferes with ordinary life responsibilities, such as work, relationships, or health.” An addicted person may not be aware of their altered behavior or the problems that their behavior is causing. To help an addicted person it is important to understand the psychology behind addictions, the symptoms, drug trends, and the options for treatment.