Addictions - Nicotine - Nature Made It

Writen by Michael Russell

Nicotine is found naturally in plants, such as tobacco, potato, eggplant and tomatoes. It is also a poison that is included in various insecticides. Nicotine can act as a stimulant and a depressant; the form it takes, depends on the mood of the user and the circumstances surrounding its use. Nicotine can be absorbed through most of the body’s membranes.

Tobacco showed up in the Western part of the world around the 16th century. Even Columbus noticed that the Native Americans smoked a lot of tobacco. Europeans got their taste of tobacco during the mid 16th century. They thought that tobacco had the power to cure ailments. In the US, tobacco became so popular that it was used as currency, when bartering for goods. Because of its popularity, the early settlers created fire-curing and charcoal-curing, as a way to extend tobacco’s shelf life when the product was being shipped across the seas.

Tobacco farming really exploded as smoking became common all over the world. And with the introduction of the rolling machines during the late 1800s, the cigarette became a must have product. But, during the middle of the 20th century, health officials started to be concerned about how cigarette smoking was affecting the public’s health. In 1964, the US Surgeon General issued a report stating that there was relationship between smoking cigarettes and lung cancer.

Nicotine is in tobacco and people like to smoke, so why is that a problem. Maybe the problem isn’t smoking, as much as it is the nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive drug. Nicotine can cause a short term increase in blood pressure, the heart rate and the blood flow from the heart. It can also cause the arteries to get smaller. The smoke that people inhale contains carbon monoxide, which reduces the amount of oxygen in the blood. Smoking also causes changes in the blood that make clots and heart attacks more likely.

Nicotine is estimated to be in the blood for about two hours. But people don’t take one puff, they continue to smoke, until they’ve finished their cigarettes, which produces a cumulative effect. And because of this accumulation, the nicotine in the blood can expect to last six to eight hours, after the smoking has stopped. The feelings that people get from nicotine is similar to the ones that heroin and cocaine addicts get.

Nicotine is a legal drug until someone decides to put it on the list of illegal drugs, people have the right to inhale it. Of course that won’t happen, because tobacco is a very lucrative industry and the government makes so much tax money off the sales of cigarettes. Although the government may release information from time to time, about the risks of smoking, the truth is, they don’t care if you quit. Nicotine is one of the hardest addictions to break, but it can be done. When people are trying to break an addiction, they shouldn’t focus on what they’re losing, but on what they’re gaining. And in the case of nicotine, they could gain longer and healthier lives.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Addictions

Share This

Healing Codependency

Writen by Linda M. Smith

Healing codependency does not mean curing codependency. Healing codependency is a process. Healing always begins with recognizing the problem. Knowledge is power and that is true when we talk about Healing Codependency.

Let us begin the journey in understanding the process of Healing Codependency. Ask yourself these questions: Am I codependent? What does this mean? What codependent behaviors do I have? What is it costing me? These are essential questions as one begins the journey of healing and questions that need explored. I suggest you begin a journal and start recording your responses to these questions, allowing it to be your touchstone.

In addition to the journal, a group setting in the form of support groups facilitates the healing process. The community you live in may have some Codependency Support Groups. If not, perhaps try to find the name of a psychotherapist who specializes in addictions and has an understanding of codependency. I have found Al Anon groups to be effective if there is not a Codependency Support Group.

Developing an understanding of the roots of your codependency can provide a foundation for your healing. Many codependents are adult children of alcoholics/addicts and come from dysfunctional families. The journey of healing is about family of origin work as you discover the role and, the rules you were given and general dynamics from your first family. Most adult children from dysfunctional families remain in those roles, abide by those rules and, struggle with dynamics that are similar to those learned in their family of origins, repeating patterns with their significant other and their children today. However, please keep in mind that as wonderful as insight can be, insight alone will not heal your pain nor provide you the healing necessary for changing codependent behaviors and patterns.

Learning emotional detachment will assist you in early recovery and be a mainstay throughout your recovery program. Detaching is about learning to balance self in relationship with others. It is the beginning of boundary work, which you will hear much about at support groups and in your recommended readings. Detaching allows your emotional reactivity to lower and an emotional space to open, creating the opportunity for less dependency in relationships. It will be in this new space that one can begin to develop a sense of “who am I?” Needs, wants, and feelings can begin to be identified and communicated as you move toward less codependent relationships.

Communication skills, self-esteem building and improving how you manage stress will also be areas that will need addressed in your codependency recovery. These “tools” will assist in regaining one’s own sense of self that was lost in codependent relationships. Recovery is about regaining your personal power that was lost in the dynamics of codependent relationships. It is about feeling empowered to live one’s life without the need of approval, the fear of abandonment, of being preoccupied with pleasing others, about caring too much, and in general overfunctioning in relationships. Recovery is claiming back self.

Linda M. Smith, PhD, LMFT

See former article on Codependency

Share This

My Teenager Has A Gambling Addiction

Writen by Howard Keith

Over the past few months Stop Gambling Sites have received numerous emails related to teenage gambling addiction.

With all the new programs on cable and local television, this negative exposure is affecting our youth.

I recently found out that my first cousins son lives breathes and sleeps gambling. Grades at school are dropping and his future education is now in question. You ask yourself why? How did this happen? He was an excellent student, good friends and a promising future.

I decided to give him a call and find out what’s happening in his life. He knew he was in trouble but had no where to turn. He never used drugs or alcohol. Again you ask yourself how did this happen? From something that was as innocent as watching a poker game on television to having a hundred dollar plus a week gambling problem. He had told me that the program seemed to fascinate him. It gave him a rush that he could win tons and tons of money. He wanted to buy his girl friend and parents nice things. It all seemed so innocent to him and next thing he noticed, he couldn’t win, borrowed money and now owes thousands of dollars and his life is crumbling. I asked him how he could gamble with out his parents knowing. He simply told me they were to busy to notice. He said since I made honor roll, I didn’t drink or do drugs, they had no concerns. Those were the only three things they ever cared about. They never even asked to see my report card, I always had A’s. They let me do what ever I wanted. They treated me as if I was an adult.

His response was amazing to me. I realized more education is needed for both the parents of a teenage gambler and possible parents of future teenage gamblers. The goal here is to educate all parents.

People tried to educate parents when it came to video games but parents were not receptive. These video games game parents a break from there kids. Have you noticed that no one wants to take action when it comes to the violent video games or the new poker shows on television? It’s apparent our society will have to pay the price once again. When I was a teenager there was no gambling programs on the television, Pac Man was the preferred video game and drugs was the number one topic at school.

As society changes we have to change with it. When we implement something new, we have to look at what are the consequences.

They no longer advertise cigarettes on Cable or Television, because they found out cigarettes are harmful. Everyone really knows that video games that are violent affect the mind. I tried an experiment the other day. I played video games with my nephew who is fourteen years old. Besides a couple of swollen fingers I did pretty well. The game revolved around shooting the enemy. I remember after we stopped and went outside, my mind was still in game mode. Shoot! Shoot! Shoot! I was amazed. I think all parents should play these games, you won’t allow your children to play them any more.

Now Teenage gambling addiction is similar. Continuous exposure to unrealistic expectations leads to self destructive behavior. A teen watching their parents gamble and only hears about the wins the parents have leads to a false impression that his parents win all the time.

Now that you have a teenager that has an addiction to gambling, you ask yourself what do I do. Most people figure either take him to the doctors, talk to the school counselor or have a talk and let their teen tell them it will never happen again. It appears ninety percent go with “It will never happen again”. The reason they are so willing to go with “It will never happen again” is simple, they do not want anyone to know their kid has a problem. I remember growing up and the girl next door who was seventeen had a drug problem. I knew because I saw how she changed and was even smoking cigarettes. The parents didn’t want anyone to know so they waited till the school year ended and then put her into a rehabilitation place in another state for part of the summer. They told everyone she was going to Europe on an exchange program. She told me the truth and what had happened to her. She learned a lot in the treatment program and also admitted her parent’s denial of the whole situation which made it more difficult for her.

Parent(s) need to face reality. Parent(s) need to get educated. Parent(s) need to be more involved with their kids. It doesn’t matter whether there is one parent or two. Parents need to stop with the excuses, there is no one to blame. Instead focus on the problem at hand.

I received one email from a parent who told me, what great parents they were and how could this happen. These parents need to focus on the issue at hand and work towards a solution verses worrying about how could this happen. There are a lot of great parents that this also happens too. There are definite signs your teenagers exhibit that you need to look out for.

Your teenager is addicted. I believe educating yourself. If you’re reading this article then you are on your way. Next there are wonderful self help books. There are stop gambling chat rooms. Talk to the school and your family doctor.

Teenage Gambling Addiction is very self destructive and leads to low self esteem. Just because your teenage appears happy doesn’t mean they are happy. You were a teenager once. Put yourself in their position. Yelling and screaming does no good.

There are websites that deal directly with teenage gambling. http://www.teenage-gambling-addiction.org/

Take one day at a time and everything can work it self out in time. Knowledge is the key to your situation.

Share This