Substance abuse Essay Example for Free

Substance abuse Essay It is quite clear that substance abuse almost always occurs within the context of other problems. Common presenting problems that are related to substance abuse are marital and family conflict, child abuse, unemployment, financial problems, multiple medical problems, depression, suicide, and problems with aggression and violence. In assessing the role of substance abuse within the context of other problems, we also need to understand the dynamics of other behavioral problems and how they may be exacerbated by substance abuse. It is estimated that most domestic violence occurs during periods when one or both parties are abusing some substance and that as many as two-thirds of homicides and serious assaults involve alcohol. Criminal behavior such as child abuse or sexual molestation may be committed when the perpetrator is under the influence of a drug or alcohol. In one study, Chasnoff (1988) found that 64 percent of all child abuse cases in New York City involved a perpetrator who was under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol. Although researchers disagree about the exact nature of the relationship between substance abuse and violence, there is clearly a strong correlation between the two. Substance abuse does not only cause social problems, but it can also cause health problems too. For example, according to the American Health Association guidelines, cocaine use can cause a number of heart attack symptoms, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, anxiety, palpitations, dizziness, nausea and heavy sweating (Stengle, 18 March 2008). Physicians must remain aware that cocaine use can cause heart attack symptoms in younger patients with no heart disease risk factors, the guidelines said. Cocaine use can cause heart attacks, but only about 1% to 6% of those who use cocaine and experience chest pain have heart attacks. The guidelines warn that two common heart attack treatments blood thinners and beta blockers can cause injuries or death in those who use cocaine. Blood thinners can increase risk for bleeding into the brain for patients with elevated blood pressure caused by cocaine use, and beta blockers can increase blood pressure and restrict arteries in those who use cocaine (Stengle, 18 March 2008). We all know that alcohol abuse can lead to alcohol-related deaths from cancer, cirrhosis of the liver, pancreatitis, motor-vehicle crashes, falls, drowning, suicide, and homicide. Alcohol affects nearly every system in the body, and contributes to a range of medical problems, including altered immune system functioning, bone disease, hypertension, stroke, cardiovascular disease, reduced cognitive functioning, fetal abnormalities, traumatic injury, depression, gastrointestinal disorders, and cancers of the neck, head, stomach, pancreas, colon, breast, and prostate (Werch, 2002). Behaviorally, substance abuse can be considered any use of a psychoactive substance that causes damage to the individual or society or both. Becoming dependent on any substance is a process that occurs over differing periods of time for different individuals and varies with the use of different substances. A dependence on alcohol may take several decades to develop while an addiction to cocaine, especially crack cocaine, may occur almost immediately. There are, however, certain phases that individuals are likely to pass through as their dependence on a substance increases. An old proverb regarding alcoholism outlines the progression of addiction: â€Å"The person takes a drink, the drink takes a drink, and the drink takes the person. † The journey from controlled use to being controlled by their use is the nature of addiction. No one begins using alcohol or other drugs with the goal of becoming addicted. With these voluminous data about the ills of substance abuse, we should all know by now that we have to curb this problem that eating away our society. I also experienced substance abuse first hand because I have people close to me who had been affected by substance abuse. My cousin has drug problem as he is hooked with marijuana, while my uncle and aunt are alcoholics. I witnessed that how they engaged in prolonged, continuous substance abuse and saw how they were unable to function without using his drug of choice on some regular basis. They somehow neglect their daily needs to the point of not eating or caring for themselves. Attempts to control their usage are abandoned as the periods of intoxication and recovery encompass most of their time. My uncle allowed himself to undergo detoxification at a rehabilitation center but my aunt has developed cirrhosis because of her alcoholism. Ultimately, we need to join hands in informing everyone about substance abuse. Common misinformation about substance abuse may divert the focus of the problem to other factors that are then presented as the primary problem. It should start with the family of the abuser who should support their loved one in this matter. Starting from family, communities can then undertake several strategies to stop substance abuse because there is no single solution that can surely alleviate substance abuse-related harm to individuals and populations. The comprehensive approach should use a wide range of strategies that address the multiple causes and dimensions. These strategies should include educational approaches—such as public health education and awareness programs, including school and community-based prevention programs; environmental approaches—such as controls on the price and availability of alcohol and drugs, minimum age for purchase of alcohol, legislative measures to curb driving under the influence of alcohol, and restrictions on the promotion, marketing, and advertising of drugs alcohol; and health care efforts—such as primary health care screening, advice by health care providers, preventive services, and effective treatment using psychological and pharmacological approaches. References Mackesy-Amiti, M. E. and Fendrich, M. (1995, November). Delinquent Behavior and Inhalant Use Among High School Students. Paper presented at the American Society of Criminology meeting, Boston. NIH Arrestee Drug Abuse Monitoring Program. (2003). Preliminary Data on Drug Use Related Matters Among Adult Arrestees and Juvenile Detainees, 2002, Washington, DC: National Institute of Justice. Steingle, J. (20008, March 18). Cocaine May Cause Heart Attack Symptoms. Newsday. Retrieved March 22, 2008, from http://www. newsday. com/news/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-cocaine-heart,0,6680577. story. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). (2006). National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) 2006. Office of Applied Studies. Retrieved March 22, 2008, from http://www. oas. samhsa. gov/nsduh/2k6nsduh/2k6Results. cfm#1. 1. Werch, C. E. (2002). Alcohol Use and Abuse. In Breslow, L (Ed. ), Encyclopedia of Public Health vol. 1, New York: Macmillan Reference USA.

The Skystone and The Singing Sword :: Historical Novels Jack Whyte Essays

The Skystone and The Singing Sword Marion Zimmer Bradley, a book critic, says The Skystone is "one of the most interesting historical novels that I've ever read, and I've read plenty"(Front cover). In writing, success is generally a direct result of an author being able to keep a reader interested. Jack Whyte is an interesting and successful author throughout The Skystone and The Singing Sword because of his development of characters and his ability to write strategically. Character development is an important element in a story because if readers feel strongly about the characters, they are interested in reading further, and are more apt to enjoy the novel. Jack Whyte effectively develops the characters Caius Britannicus and Claudius Seneca through their words and actions in The Skystone and The Singing Sword, creating a strong impression of these characters in the mind of the reader. Another crucial element to Jack Whyte's success is his strategical writing. His ability to seize the attention of a reader imm ediately, and to maintain that level of intrigue throughout the novel until his climactic ending is reached, demonstrates a well planned writing strategy, and is a significant contribution to his success. In The Skystone and The Singing Sword, Jack Whyte's character development and strategical writing create and maintain the interest of the reader, exhibiting a basis for his success. In Jack Whyte's novels, he develops his characters effectively, sparking the interest of the reader. In The Skystone and The Singing Sword, one of the characters that Whyte develops well is Caius Britannicus. Throughout these two novels, Britannicus' development is seen through the eyes of Publius Varrus, the main character, and Britannicus' eventual lifelong friend. From the very beginning of their friendship, Publius recognizes the qualities of Caius as a person, and as a leader, and describes them in The Skystone when saying, from the outset of our relationship Britannicus invariably treated me with military correctness, slightly warmed by courtesy and consideration. I found him to be just, temperate, and dispassionate in his dealings with the men under his command. But he could be awesome in his wrath when provoked by incompetence or malfeasance. A rigid disciplinarian, he was implacable once he had decided that punishment was in order. And never, at any time, did he show any ca pacity for suffering fools gladly(37). Although Caius does not initially strike the reader as a particularly amiable character, Jack Whyte continues to develop Britannicus and his friendship with Publius, revealing a more compassionate character.

Pollution in Vietnam

HANOI—As Vietnam's economy has boomed in recent decades, so too have pollution levels in its major cities, with experts concerned that air pollution could pose a major public health concern. â€Å"Environmental pollution in Vietnam is a real problem,† said Tuong Lai, former dean of Vietnam's Social Science Institute. â€Å"It's not just foreign visitors who have complained about our dust pollution—people in our country are also very dissatisfied with it,† he said.A study conducted by employment consultants ORC Worldwide put economic boomtowns Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi on a list of the 20 worst cities in the world in which to live and work, for environmental reasons. Air pollution was cited as a key factor for both Ho Chi Minh City, which was the ninth worst place to live, and Hanoi, which was ranked 11th worst. A 2008 environmental report by the World Bank ranked the two cities as the worst in Vietnam for pollution, while an environmental study by 400 int ernational scientists in the same year said Hanoi and Saigon were the worst-ranked cities for dust pollution in the whole of Asia.Expert warning And experts at a Southeast Asia air pollution seminar hosted by the Industrial Institute of Asia warned that air pollution in Vietnam had reached dangerous levels. In 2007, Vietnam started to publish results of its own surveys, with an Environmental Protection Bureau report officially recognizing in 2007 that dust pollution was a serious problem in Vietnam. Vietnamese residents of the worst-ranked cities were well aware of the heath effects, and of the effect on tourism revenues. The atmosphere in this country is now seriously polluted, yet the government has not found any solutions,† one Hanoi resident said. â€Å"The air pollution in Saigon and Hanoi has annoyed not only the people in the country, but also the Vietnamese who come back to Vietnam as visitors,† he said. â€Å"It has disappointed so many foreign tourists, too. † Thousands of deaths Health authorities say that thousands of cases of death or illness have been confirmed as having been caused by atmospheric pollution with carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, benzene, and fine particulates (dust).In 2007 the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that an average of 16,000 deaths a year in Vietnam are now caused by air pollution, with thousands of people now confirmed to be suffering from pulmonary disease. Environmental studies blame fuel emissions from public transportation and industrial pollution from factories. Pressure is now growing on Hanoi from international as well as domestic environment specialists to step up controls on industrial pollution and clarify the responsibilities of the various government agencies involved in environmental protection.Calls are emerging in domestic media for the government to enforce a switch to cleaner fuels, and to punish or penalize anyone causing environment pollution. â€Å"Pollution greatly affe cts the health of our people,† Tuong Lai said. â€Å"Therefore the government must make multiple efforts to make a healthy living environment for the people who crowd such big cities as Saigon [Ho Chi Minh City] and Hanoi,† he added.

Thomas Stearns Eliot Essay examples - 1159 Words

Thomas Stearns Eliot T.S. Eliot was a poet, critic, and an editor. He was a major figure in English poetry, famous for works such as The Waste Land, and The Sacred Wood. His critical essays helped to start a movement of literary modernism by stressing tradition, along with objective discipline. Eliot, along with the help of William Butler Yeats, and Ezra Pound set new poetic standards by rejecting the English romantics. Thomas Stearns Eliot was born in St. Louis, MO. on September 26th, 1888. He was the youngest child in a family that had seven children, and very well known ancestors. Some of these ancestors include Reverend William Greenleaf Eliot, who founded Washington University in St. Louis, and Isaac Stearns, who was†¦show more content†¦He received his B.A. in 1909, and stayed at Harvard to earn a Masters Degree in English Literature. In the fall of 1910, he spent a year in Paris, taking courses at the Sorbonne. When he returned to America, he went back to Harvard, where he took up graduate studies in philosophy, and he also became a teaching assistant. He was awarded a traveling fellowship for the 1914-1915 academic year, and he intended to study in Germany, but the outbreak of World War I in August 1914 forced him to leave the country after only several weeks. (Literature) In 1915, he met Vivienne Haigh-Wood. He liked her very much, because she had such different interest than he did. They got married after being together for two months. Around the time that he was married, he met Ezra Pound. Ezra became a life-long friend, and an important literary influence. In 1933 Eliot and his wife separated, because she had a mental breakdown, and had to be confined to many different asylums from 1933, until the time of her death in 1947. The emotional difficulties caused by his marriage led him to write some intense passages in some of his later poetry. In 1917, he left his job as a teachers assistant, and began workingShow MoreRelatedThomas Stearns Eliot, Or T.S . Eliot, Was Born In 1888 On1021 Words   |  5 Pages Thomas Stearns Eliot, or T.S. Eliot, was born in 1888 on the Mississippi River in St. Louis, Missouri. Throughout his life, Eliot wrote and published several pieces of writing that are highly regarded and still studied in the world of literature today. Eliot was an American-British author, critic, playwright, and poet. After attending Smith Academy, and Milton Academy, he went on to graduate in just 3 years at Harvard University. He also got his masters and did doctoral work. He attended OxfordRead MoreAnalysis Of The Poem Cousin Nancy And Morning At The Window Poem Analysis And Exploration1475 Words   |  6 Pages â€Å"Cousin Nancy† and â€Å"Morning at the Window† Poem Analysis and Exploration Cousin Nancy By T. S. Eliot Miss Nancy Ellicott Strode across the hills and broke them, Rode across the hills and broke them — The barren New England hills — Riding to hounds Over the cow-pasture. Miss Nancy Ellicott smoked And danced all the modern dances; And her aunts were not quite sure how they felt about it, But they knew that it was modern. Upon the glazen shelves kept watch MatthewRead MoreHollow Men Analysis837 Words   |  4 Pages The Real Life (A Discussion on Three Messages in T.S. Eliot’s Hollow Men) T.S Eliot was the most famous English poet of his time, and he was one of the most influential poet. His distinctive style of writing took the attention of not only other poets, but many people all over the world. â€Å"Thomas Stearns Eliot is best known as a poet and literary critic (he received the Nobel Prize for literature in 1948), but his work in social and cultural theory has also been widely influential†(Edwards)Read More Waste Land Essay: Love and Sex939 Words   |  4 PagesThe typist seems to have no desire for sex, but no desire to resist seduction, either -- the young mans caresses are unreproved, if undesired. (lines 236-237) Her single emotion expressed in the passage is a vague relief when the episode ends. Eliot follows the scene of seduction with these lines:    When lovely woman stoops to folly and Paces about her room again, alone, She smoothes her hair with automatic hand, And puts a record on the gramophone. (lines 253-256)   Read More Waste Land Essay: Eliots Use of Different Speakers681 Words   |  3 Pagesonly present different viewpoints, but also mirror different aspects of the modern cultural experience. This not only presents a group of varying viewpoints, but also a sort of anthropological description of post-World War II Europe. For instance, Eliot gives a picture of the rootlessness experienced by many Europeans in line 13: Bin gar keine Russin, stamm aus Litauen, echt deutsch.    One of the most important aspects pictured through the use of multiple speakers in The Waste Land isRead More Contrasting of Past with Present in Waste Land1104 Words   |  5 PagesContrast of Past with Present in The Waste Land      Ã‚   Eliot contrasts the past with the present in several ways throughout his poem, The Waste Land. The simplest of these is the simple juxtaposition of one or more descriptions of the present immediately before or after one or more descriptions of the past. The most obvious of these is section two, in which two descriptions of the present (lines 111-139 and 140-172) immediately follow a description of the past (lines 77-110). In this case, theRead MoreThe Era Of Modernism : What People Do People Perceive Through Their Perceptions?945 Words   |  4 Pagesyears of Modernism, T.S. Eliot, Virginia Woolf, and Dylan Thomas established the foundations for modern literature, defining Modernism for the world. Although Modernism is very difficult to define and pinpoint, the Modern writers in England certainty changed the age with their writing. While there were many famous writers of the time, a very distinct and powerful writers was T.S. Eliot. Thomas Stearns Eliot was born in St. Louis, Missouri (Greenblatt 1298). Although T.S. Eliot was born in the UnitedRead More Waste Land Essay: Impact of Images on the Structure of The Waste Land962 Words   |  4 PagesImpact of Images on the Structure of The Waste Land      Ã‚   Many of the images that give bounds to the structure of The Waste Land relate to the annual cycle of life with which ancient peoples closely bound up their own lives. Eliot himself points out the importance of the ancient cycle of life by acknowledging a general indebtedness, as the anthologists introduction to the poem points out, to Sir James Frazers The Golden Bough and especially the volumes Adonis, Attis, Osiris. These twoRead MoreT.S. Eliots Writing Style and Use of Symbolism790 Words   |  4 PagesS. Eliot is basically trying to say that only people who push their limit can actually see how much they can really accomplish. T.S. Eliot made poetry that showed his negative views on life, people, and world. T.S. Eliot took poetry to another level by the way he writes and uses symbolism. Thomas Stearns was born on September 26, 1888. He was born in St. Louis, Missouri. His father was Henry ware Eliot who was the president of the Hydraulic-press company. His mom was Charlotte Champe Stearns, a formerRead MoreBiography of TS Eliot Essay1599 Words   |  7 PagesThomas Stearns Eliot was born on September 26, 1888, in St. Louis, Missouri, the seventh and last child of Henry Ware Eliot, a brick manufacturer, and Charlotte (Stearns) Eliot, who was active in social reform and was herself a not-untalented poet. Both parents were descended from families that had emigrated from England to Massachusetts in the seventeenth century. William Greenleaf Eliot, the poets paternal grandfather, had, after his graduation from Harvard in the 1830s, moved to St. Louis, where