This had been my second blog ever. I learned once more to do
one. Also, it was great to investigate what I look for to study and know even
more in the future. Substance abuse it is an interesting theme, because I can
see it in my environment. I know it sounds bad to be interest for such reason,
but I like to know more about it. For example, I wonder why it is so hard for
this people to quit using the substance, or what make them start to use them. I
remember that the effects can come naturally if I seek for a divine force, but
I like to think of it as knowing myself more. Therefore, by possessing such knowledge
I could trigger such pleasure by acting according to it.
Reference:
McCracken, T. At the Impatient Pharmacy. Drug addiction cartoon. Cartoonstock.com.
Another name it is e-cigarettes or electronic nicotine
delivery systems. This consists of a battery to power the vaporizer to evaporate
the nicotine and other chemicals to add flavor. I have heard it is safer than
using cigarettes. However, currently there is not much information about it.
Therefore, I have heard is better to use it to quit slowly, rather than keep
using it for long term.
The nicotine is
what makes it addictive. Consequently, it supplies the person with the
substance it is so addict to. It appears to be safer, since as I mentioned in
the previous post tobacco not only consist of nicotine, but other harmful
chemicals. Therefore, when this item it looks at this way, it appears to be
less harmful than using tobacco to provide the income of nicotine. On the other
hand, this item opens the possibility to use other drugs.
Some people think that
it can be used to quit smoking. However, little is known about this yet. Also,
this product is not advertised as for therapeutic purpose. I believe it depends
on the person’s determination to quit, rather than using the product itself. Therefore, it is not a one hundred percent
safety method and so an alternative for long term of nicotine consumption.
Reference:
National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2013, October 25). NIDA
TV Spotlight on Electronic Cigarettes. Retrieved May 2015, from YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iz67IqkLwYs&feature=youtu.be
National Institute
on Drug Abuse. (2014, September). Electronic Cigarettes (e-Cigarettes).
Retrieved May 2015, from NIDA:
http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/electronic-cigarettes-e-cigarettes
Tobacco is a legal drug
and it causes many deaths. According to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC), “cigarette smoking is responsible for more than 480,000
deaths per year in the United States, including an estimated 41,000 deaths
resulting from secondhand smoke exposure. This is about one in five deaths
annually, or 1,300 deaths every day.” The
problem comes due to nicotine, which is present on tobacco and is addictive. Consequently,
it makes the hormone epinephrine to release, thus affecting the nervous system
by stimulation and increasing blood pressure, heart rate and respiration.
According to
NIDA, “tobacco smoke is a complex mixture of chemicals such as carbon monoxide,
tar, formaldehyde, cyanide, and ammonia—many of which are known carcinogens.” Therefore,
nicotine is not responsible for cancer, cardiovascular disease or bronchial
disorder. However, other chemical as mentioned above does. Also, many people
said that pregnant woman should not smoke. This is related to cause problem,
such as: low birth-weight, miscarriage, premature infants, learning and behavioral
problems.
In my environment
it is very common to see smoker. They are not hard to find in any place I go. I
do not like the smell at all, but must live with it as it is legal. However,
there are consequences for those secondhand smokers. Consequently, for decrease
such thing, areas for smokers have been made.
Reference:
CDC. (15 de April de
2015). Smoking & Tobacco Use. Recuperado el May de 2015, de CDC:
http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/fast_facts/
Nathan P. (2009,
May 17). Smoking Kills (The Bryan Curtis story). Retrieved May 2015,
from YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVLtNgAhPRg
National Institute
on Drug Abuse. (2014, December). Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products.
Retrieved May 2015, from NIDA:
http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/cigarettes-other-tobacco-products
