Mention some negative impacts of smoking, drug dependence
Effects of smoking:
Whether you smoke 5 cigarettes a day or 50, there is no
doubt that smoking is extremely bad for you and will
seriously affect your health in some way.Smoking
cigarettes can harm almost every organ in your body,
from top to bottom and inside and out. Moreover, it is
only now that doctors are beginning to discover the true
extent of the harm that smoking can cause to a person's
health and to the health of those around him. Smoking
over a prolonged period of time can cause a number of
serious diseases and illnesses, some fatal and others that
will not kill you but will leave you with a poorer quality of
life in general. Usually a person takes up smoking when
they are young and the effects that smoking may have on
their health does not enter their head at the time. Within
a short while, they will become addicted to nicotine and it
will be too late to give up. The younger a person starts to
smoke, the greater the health risks they will face later on
in life. Smoking is one of the biggest single causes of
preventable disease and premature death in a large
number of mainly developed countries around the world.
In the UK around 120,000 people die each year from
smoking-related diseases. 50% of long-term smokers die
prematurely from smoking, a large number of them when
they reach middle age. Globally around 2.5 million people
die each year from smoking and it has been estimated
that some time during the 2020's the number of deaths
caused by smoking will hit the 10 million mark. The
majority of people who die from smoking will have
suffered from one of three main diseases: lung cancer,
coronary heart disease or chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD).Around 90% of all lung cancer deaths are
caused from smoking and smoking is also the biggest risk
factor for a number of other types of cancer as well.
Overall, smoking has been linked to a third of all deaths
from cancer. In the US, 1 in every 4 people die of cancer
and over half a million people die each year from this
disease. To give you a clearer idea, more than 1,500
people a day die from cancer. People who smoke a lot of
cigarettes a day are particularly at risk of developing
cancer and if those people have been smoking for a long
time, the risk is even higher. For example, a person who
has been smoking one packet of cigarettes a day for 30
years is more at risk than a person who has been smoking
two packs a day for 15 years. Smoking also causes a
quarter of all deaths from heart disease. Over 70% of
smokers between the ages of 35 and 44 who die of
coronary heart disease, die prematurely due to smoking.
In teenagers who smoke, early signs of heart disease,
such as the building up of fatty deposits in the arteries,
can be detected. In the US, coronary heart disease is the
leading cause of death and more than 2,600 people die
each day from some form of cardiovascular disease,
which may have been caused by smoking. Smoking also
causes strokes and heart attacks and doctors say that
smokers are twice as likely to suffer a heart attack than
non-smokers and three times as likely to suffer a stroke.
However, on a more positive note, if a smoker quits
smoking, after 5 years, the risk of suffering a heart attack
is halved and after 10 years the risk drops to the same as
that of a non-smoker who has never smoked. Another
major illness and cause of death from smoking is chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This term is used
generally and includes a number of lung destroying and
respiratory illnesses that are brought on by smoking. The
main diseases are emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
The airways and tissues of the lungs are destroyed, which
will in time make breathing extremely difficult. Sufferers
of these diseases may experience shortness of breath,
chest pain, constant coughing and tiring after a small
amount of exertion. At the moment, the symptoms can
be eased with medical treatment, however as yet no cure
exists. If you already have either of these diseases, giving
up smoking will stop their progression. If you do not
suffer from any of the symptoms associated with either
emphysema or chronic bronchitis, then giving up smoking
will greatly reduce the risk of developing these seriously
debilitating illnesses.Smoking reduces a person's life
expectancy from anything from 7 years to 30 years.
Generally smokers are less healthy and less physically fit
than non-smokers. In addition, they take more days off
work through illness than non-smokers and areMore
prone to common illnesses such as colds or sore throats.
Smokers will get out of breath much quicker after
exertion and find it harder to exercise and they will also
have a higher risk of infections, as the body's immune
system is damaged from smoking. As well as having long-
term negative effects on a person's health, smoking also
has immediate effects on the body. After smoking a
cigarette your blood pressure will rise and your heart rate
will increase by about 20 beats per minute. Carbon
monoxide, a poisonous gas, will enter the lungs and begin
to replace the oxygen. The tiny hairs in the lungs that
filter the air that you breathe will cease to work, as they
become paralysed by the poisons that are contained in
tobacco smoke. Circulation, especially to the hands and
feet becomes less efficient and the temperature of the
skin may drop by up to 5°C. Your nervous system will be
altered and smoking can cause muscle tension. In the
long-term, smoking causes other diseases apart from
those mentioned above. Below is a list of diseases,
illnesses and other effects that are caused from smoking:
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  Lung cancer
 Cancer of the mouth
 Cancer of the throat
 Cancer of the larynx
 Cancer of the esophagus
 Stomach cancer
 Kidney cancer
 Cancer of the bladder
 Cancer of the pancreas
 Liver cancer
 Cancer of the penis
 Cancer of the anus
 Cervical cancer
 Prostate cancer
 Heart attack
 Coronary heart disease
 Gum disease
 High blood pressure
 Cohn’s disease
 Premature aging of the skin
 Loss of smell and taste
Drug Dependence:
Although similar, drug abuse and drug dependence are
different components of drug addiction. Drug abuse is
broadly defined as the desire to continuously use a
particular substance, often by sacrificing time spent on
other, healthier activities. Dependence is when drug
abuse manifests into the body’s physical dependence on
the substance to survive. Dependency is commonly
referred to as addiction because of the body’s need to
continue using a substance to function.
Treating Drug Dependence:
Like any other disease, drug dependence must be treated
through a combination of natural and medical techniques.
Drug dependence is considered a disease by the United
States Surgeon General and is treated as such.
Unfortunately, many with drug addictions may not know
that they have a substance abuse problem. It’s only after
it comes to the attention of a family member or a run in
with the law that drug dependence may come to the
forefront of conversation
What Substances can be abused?
While narcotics are usually the first to come to mind
when drug abuse is mentioned, they’re not the only
substances that can be abused. Hallucinogenic drugs like
PCP, DMT, LSD, and “magic mushrooms,” can also be
abused for their effects. Prescription medications, often
found in family medicine cabinets, like Oxycontin and
Vicodin can be ingested for their feelings of euphoria
outside of a doctor’s prescription.
 Cardiovascular disease
 Congestive heart failure
 Stroke
 Atherosclerosis
 Abdominal aortic aneurysm
 Peripheral artery disease
 Ischemic heart disease
 Angina
 Leukemia
 Emphysema
 Chronic bronchitis
 Pneumonia
 Asthma
 Diabetes
 Stomach ulcers
 Cataracts
 Osteoporosis (women)
 Gangrene
 Impotence
 Reduced fertili
Substances for abuse can be ingested orally, such as
alcohol or prescription medications, intravenously, such
as with heroin, inhaled like with marijuana or tobacco, or
snorted.
Drug Tolerance:
Central to understanding when drug abuse has turned
into a dependence is the concept of drug tolerance.
Tolerance refers to the amount of a substance that has to
be consumed to produce a high. Early on, drug users may
only have to consume a small amount of a substance to
produce a high. As use continues, physiological and
psychological tolerances are developed and more of a
drug needs to be used to produce the same effects. As
tolerance increases, as does the risk of overdosing from
larger amounts of the chemical. The severity of a drug
addiction is closely tied to how high a user’s tolerance is.
High tolerance leads to a more expensive habit and higher
levels of unsafe chemicals having to be ingested to get
high.
When is Drug Abuse a Problem?
While some users of legal, recreational substances are
able to regulate their usage in safe and reasonable
fashions, drug abuse is defined as a user suffering
negative consequences in their personal life because of
their substance use.
Declining grades and performance in school, neglect of
relationships in favor of using drugs, worsening financial
problems, and increased risky behavior and impaired
judgment from drug use are all signs of the onset of drug
abuse. Symptoms and signs outside of these may be seen
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if drug use is having a long-term negative impact on a
user’s life.
Withdrawal Signs:
The official Drug Abuse website maintained by the United
States Government identifies drug addiction withdrawal
as physical or mental symptoms that occur if the use of an
addictive substance is stopped abruptly. Addicts suddenly
stopping their use of addictive psychoactive substances
may suffer severe mental or physical side effects resulting
from their physical need for the substance.
Symptoms of withdrawal should be monitored by a
medical professional if a dependent drug user is entering
a cessation program. Withdrawal can be medically
dangerous if not treated appropriately.
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 What are the positive impacts of exercise?
Many people hit the gym or pound the pavement to
improve cardiovascular health, build muscle, and of
course, get a rockin’ bod, but working out has above-the-
neck benefits, too. For the past decade or so, scientists
have pondered how exercising can boost brain function.
Regardless of age or fitness level (yup, this includes
everyone from mall-walkers to marathoners), studies
show that making time for exercise provides some serious
mental benefits. Get inspired to exercise by reading up on
these unexpected ways that working out can benefit
mental health, relationships, and lead to a healthier and
happier life overall.
Reduce stress
Rough day at the office? Take a walk or head to the gym
for a quick workout. One of the most common mental
benefits of exercise is stress relief. Working up a sweat
can help manage physical and mental stress. Exercise also
increases concentrations of norepinephrine, a chemical
that can moderate the brain’s response to stress. So go
ahead and get sweaty — working out can reduce stress
and boost the body’s ability to deal with existing mental
tension. Win-win!
Boost happy chemicals
Slogging through a few miles on the ‘mill can be tough,
but it’s worth the effort! Exercise releases endorphins,
which create feelings of happiness and euphoria. Studies
have shown that exercise can even alleviate symptoms
among the clinically depressed. For this reason, docs
recommend that people suffering from depression or
anxiety (or those who are just feeling blue) pencil in
plenty of gym time. In some cases, exercise can be just as
effective as antidepressant pills in treating depression.
Don’t worry if you’re not exactly the gym rat type —
getting a happy buzz from working out for just 30 minutes
a few times a week can instantly boost overall mood.
Improve self-confidence
Hop on the treadmill to look (and more importantly, feel)
like a million bucks. On a very basic level, physical fitness
can boost self-esteem and improve positive self-image.
Regardless of weight, size, gender, or age, exercise can
quickly elevate a person's perception of his or her
attractiveness, that is, self-worth . How’s that for feeling
the (self) love?
Enjoy the great outdoors.
For an extra boost of self-love, take that workout outside.
Exercising in the great outdoors can increase self-esteem
even more . Find an outdoor workout that fits your style,
whether it’s rock-climbing, hiking, renting a canoe, or just
taking a jog in the park. Plus, all that Vitamin D acquired
from soaking up the sun (while wearing sunscreen, of
course!) can lessen the likelihood of experiencing
depressive symptoms. Why book a spa day when a little
fresh air and sunshine (and exercise) can work wonders
for self-confidence and happiness?
Prevent cognitive decline
It’s unpleasant, but it’s true — as we get older, our brains
get a little... hazy. As aging and degenerative diseases like
Alzheimer’s kill off brain cells, the noggin actually shrinks,
losing many important brain functions in the process.
While exercise and a healthy diet can’t “cure”
Alzheimer’s, they can help shore up the brain against
cognitive decline that begins after age 45 . Working out,
especially between age 25 and 45, boosts the chemicals in
the brain that support and prevent degeneration of the
hippocampus, an important part of the brain for memory
and learning.
Alleviate anxiety
Quick Q&A: Which is better at relieving anxiety — a warm
bubble bath or a 20-minute jog? You might be surprised
at the answer. The warm and fuzzy chemicals that are
released during and after exercise can help people with
anxiety disorders calm down. Hopping on the track or
treadmill for some moderate-to-high intensity aerobic
exercise (intervals, anyone?) can reduce anxiety
sensitivity . And we thought intervals were just a good
way to burn calories!
Boost brainpower
Those buff lab rats might be smarter than we think.
Various studies on mice and men have shown that
cardiovascular exercise can create new brain cells (aka
neurogenesis) and improve overall brain performance .
Ready to apply for a Nobel Prize? Studies suggest that a
tough workout increases levels of a brain-derived protein
(known as BDNF) in the body, believed to help with
decision making, higher thinking, and learning. Smarty
(spandex) pants, indeed.
Sharpen memory
Get ready to win big at Go Fish. Regular physical activity
boosts memory and ability to learn new things. Getting
sweaty increases production of cells in hippocampus
responsible for memory and learning . For this reason,
research has linked children’s brain development with
level of physical fitness (take that, recess haters!). But
exercise-based brainpower isn’t just for kids. Even if it’s
not as fun as a game of Red Rover, working out can boost
memory among grown-ups, too. A study showed that
running sprints improved vocabulary retention among
healthy adults .
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Help control addiction
The brain releases dopamine, the “reward chemical” in
response to any form of pleasure, be that exercise, sex,
drugs, alcohol, or food. Unfortunately, some people
become addicted to dopamine and dependent on the
substances that produce it, like drugs or alcohol (and
more rarely, food and sex). On the bright side, exercise
can help in addiction recovery . Short exercise sessions
can also effectively distract drug or alcohol addicts,
making them de-prioritize cravings (at least in the short
term) . Working out when on the wagon has other
benefits, too. Alcohol abuse disrupts many body
processes, including circadian rhythms. As a result,
alcoholics find they can’t fall asleep (or stay asleep)
without drinking. Exercise can help reboot the body clock,
helping people hit the hay at the right time.
Increase relaxation
Ever hit the hay after a long run or weight session at the
gym? For some, a moderate workout can be the
equivalent of a sleeping pill, even for people with
insomnia . Moving around five to six hours before
bedtime raises the body’s core temperature. When the
body temp drops back to normal a few hours later, it
signals the body that it’s time to sleep.
Get more done
Feeling uninspired in the cubicle? The solution might be
just a short walk or jog away. Research shows that
workers who take time for exercise on a regular basis are
more productive and have more energy than their more
sedentary peers . While busy schedules can make it
tough to squeeze in a gym session in the middle of the
day, some experts believe that midday is the ideal time
for a workout due to the body’s circadian rhythms.
Tap into creativity
Most people end a tough workout with a hot shower, but
maybe we should be breaking out the colored pencils
instead. A heart-pumping gym session can boost
creativity for up to two hours afterwards . Supercharge
post-workout inspiration by exercising outdoors and
interacting with nature (see benefit #4) . Next time you
need a burst of creative thinking, hit the trails for a long
walk or run to refresh the body and the brain at the same
time.
Inspire others
Whether it’s a pick-up game of soccer, a group class at
the gym, or just a run with a friend, exercise rarely
happens in a bubble. And that’s good news for all of us.
Studies show that most people perform better on aerobic
tests when paired up with a workout buddy . Pin it to
inspiration or good old-fashioned competition, nobody
wants to let the other person down. In fact, being part of
a team is so powerful that it can actually raise athletes’
tolerances for pain . Even fitness beginners can inspire
each other to push harder during a sweat session, so find
a workout buddy and get moving! Working out can have
positive effects far beyond the gym (and beach season).
Gaining self-confidence, getting out of a funk, and even
thinking smarter are some of the motivations to take time
for exercise on a regular basis.
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 What should be the lifestyle for maintaining good health?
Think you're leading a healthy lifestyle? Aside from
occasionally veering off the path, most of us think we do a
fair job of maintaining our health with good (or at least
OK) eating habits and physical activity whenever we
manage to fit it in. But is that enough to be considered
"healthy?"
According to a recent study, very few adults actually meet
the criteria for a healthy lifestyle. The study, published in
the Archives of Internal Medicine, showed that only 3% of
American adults got a perfect score on what the authors
say are the four basic criteria for healthy living. Just 13.8%
met three of the criteria; 34.2% met only two criteria.
Women scored slightly better than men.
See how well you measure up on the researchers' four
keys to healthfulness:
 Do you smoke?
 Are you able to maintain a healthy weight (a BMI
of 18-25), or are you successfully losing weight to
attain a healthy weight?
 Do you eat at least 5 servings of fruits and
vegetables daily?
 Do you exercise 30 minutes or more, 5 times a
week?
The good news is that these behaviors should not be
foreign to you, as all but one are an integral part of the
Weight Loss Clinic. Numbers 2 through 4 are the
foundation of the WLC program, habits that we
continually discuss, write about, and recommend.
Everyone knows smoking is bad for your health. If you are
one of the lucky ones who never became addicted to
nicotine, pat yourself on the back. Smokers, I hope you
are working diligently to kick your habit. It's impossible to
underestimate the importance of a smoke-free life for
your health -- as well as for the sake of those around you.
4 Steps and More:
 While those four habits are indisputably
important for a healthy lifestyle, some may
argue that more factors should be taken into
consideration. What would be on your list?
 Just for fun, I came up with my own personal top
10 list of healthy behaviors (beyond the four
basics) that contribute to wellness and
satisfaction with one's lifestyle:
 Brush and floss daily to keep your teeth and
gums healthy and free of disease.
 Get a good night's rest. Well-rested people not
only cope better with stress, but may also have
better control of their appetites. Research has
shown that a lack of sleep can put our "hunger
hormones" out of balance -- and possibly trigger
overeating.
 Enjoy regular family meals. This allows parents to
serve as good role models, can promote more
nutritious eating, and sets the stage for lively
conversations. Being connected to family and/or
friends is a powerful aspect of a healthy life.
 Smile and laugh out loud several times a day. It
keeps you grounded, and helps you cope with
situations that would otherwise make you crazy.
Read the comics, watch a sitcom, or tell jokes to
bring out those happy feelings.
 Meditate, pray, or otherwise find solace for at
least 10-20 minutes each day. Contemplation is
good for your soul, helps you cope with the
demands of daily life, and may even help lower
your blood pressure.
 Get a pedometer and let it motivate you to walk,
walk, walk. Forget about how many minutes of
activity you need; just do everything you can to
fit more steps into your day. No matter how you
get it, physical activity can help defuse stress,
burn calories, and boost self-esteem.
 Stand up straight. You'll look 5 pounds lighter if
you stand tall and tighten your abdominal
muscles. Whenever you walk, think "tall and
tight" to get the most out of the movement.
 Try yoga. The poses help increase strength and
flexibility and improve balance. These are critical
areas for older folks especially, and both men
and women can benefit.
 Power up the protein. This nutrient is an
essential part of your eating plan, and can make
up anywhere from 10%-35% of your total
calories. Protein lasts a long time in your belly;
combine it with high-fiber foods and you'll feel
full on fewer calories. Enjoy small portions of
nuts, low-fat dairy, beans, lean meat, poultry, or
fish.
 Last but not least, have a positive attitude. Do
your best to look at life as if "the glass is half
full." You must believe in yourself, have good
support systems, and think positively ("I think I
can, I think I can…") to succeed.
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