Addictions

Growing up, curiosity about new things, like cigarettes, drugs, Sheesha, or alcohol, is normal, especially when friends are trying them too. The media influences how these substances are portrayed, increasing the likelihood of trying them. Stress, boredom, and excess money can also contribute to experimentation. What starts as curiosity or a desire to fit in can quickly become a habit. It’s crucial to have information to make healthy choices, so educate yourself on smoking, drinking, Sheesha, drugs, and energy drinks.

Smoking

Cigarette advertisements used to glamorize smoking, but the reality is that smoking is deadly, causing cancer, lung diseases, and heart problems. It shortens life by 14 years and harms loved ones. Smoking is costly, addictive, and seeking help is crucial. The body reacts defensively to poison, leading to discomfort when starting smoking or drinking. Tobacco companies invest heavily in advertising to create a false sense of coolness. Don’t be swayed by peer pressure or slick marketing tactics; smoking is not glamorous. Stay informed and make healthy choices for yourself and those around you.

Cigarettes contain nicotine, a highly addictive substance similar to heroin and cocaine. Your body becomes dependent on nicotine, needing it frequently to feel good. There are no physical needs for starting smoking like food or water. Nicotine and cyanide are poisonous and can be fatal in high doses. Smoking can lead to diseases like cancer and heart disease, reducing a person’s ability to be active and potentially being fatal. Each cigarette shortens a person’s life by 5 to 20 minutes and can impact fertility and sexual health. Pregnant women and women trying to conceive are at high risk for breast cancer if they smoke.

Young people often start smoking due to peer pressure or curiosity about feeling like an adult. Many don’t anticipate addiction, making it crucial to avoid starting altogether.

Smoking causes issues like skin problems, bad breath, smelly clothes, and reduced athletic performance due to slower healing and increased injury risk from reduced collagen production.

Hookah (Sheesha)

Shisha, often considered safe by many, is actually deemed harmful by the World Health Organization. Despite the misconception that the smoke passes through water and is therefore harmless, it contains toxins like carbon monoxide and carcinogens. A single shisha session can be equivalent to smoking over 100 cigarettes. The sweetened, flavored tobacco in water pipes appeals to children and teenagers, leading to a high prevalence of use among youngsters. Misleading labels on commercial shisha packets downplay the risks, and sharing shisha can increase the transmission of diseases like Tuberculosis and Hepatitis, highlighting the dangers associated with this popular practice.

Recreational Drugs

Drugs like Cocaine, Crack, Ecstasy, GHB, Heroin, Inhalants, LSD, Marijuana, Hash, Methamphetamines can harm the brain, heart, and other organs, with risks including heart attacks and impaired judgment. Avoiding drug use is the only way to eliminate these risks. Drug use can also affect a person’s performance in school, sports, work, and decision-making abilities. It can lead to dangerous behavior and risky situations, including unsafe sexual encounters, increased risk of unplanned pregnancy, and sexually transmitted diseases, such as HIV.

Many people try drugs to fit in with friends, out of curiosity, or boredom. Illegal drugs are often used to escape reality temporarily. While drugs may provide temporary relief or distraction from problems, the escape is short-lived and leads to a cycle of needing drugs to feel better. Drugs do not solve underlying issues and can create additional problems. Dependency and addiction can result from drug use, making it difficult to stop. Withdrawal symptoms such as vomiting, sweating, and tremors occur when attempting to quit, but eventually subside as the body adjusts to being drug-free again.

Energy Drinks

Energy drinks are formulated to enhance endurance and improve physical performance, with some targeted towards professional athletes and others for the general public. Some newer energy drinks may contain opium poppy seed extract or ephedrine. Taurine is an amino acid that naturally occurs in the body and is sometimes depleted during stress or physical activity, leading some individuals to turn to energy drinks to replenish their levels. Glucuronolactone is another natural body metabolite believed to assist in eliminating toxins and providing a quick energy boost. Caffeine, a central nervous system stimulant, is found in many energy drinks and soft drinks. However, consuming high doses of caffeine in energy drinks, particularly among children under 10 and pregnant women, is not recommended due to potential risks such as negative effects on the developing brain and increased risk of miscarriage. Mixing alcohol with energy drinks is also discouraged due to serious potential consequences.

Soft drinks contain phosphoric acid, caffeine, sugar, aspartame or saccharin, caramel coloring, carbon dioxide, and aluminum. Regular consumption can lead to health problems like bone fractures, obesity, Type II Diabetes, kidney stones, and dental issues. A can of soda contains about 6 teaspoons of sugar, leading to acid formation in the mouth and tooth decay. It’s advisable to limit soft drink intake due to these health risks, despite enticing advertisements linking them to coolness, energy, and fun. Some companies use corporate social responsibility as a marketing strategy, like donating a portion of sales to scholarships. However, it’s important to prioritize our health over marketing tactics, especially avoiding soft drinks during pregnancy due to caffeine levels.

 Alcohol

 Alcohol affects your brain by causing loss of coordination, poor judgment, slowed reflexes, distorted vision, memory lapses, and even blackouts. It can also damage every organ in your body, increase the risk of life-threatening diseases such as cancer, and affect self-control by depressing the central nervous system, lowering inhibitions, and impairing judgment. Drinking can lead to risky behaviors like driving under the influence or engaging in unprotected sex. Consuming large amounts of alcohol or drinking rapidly can result in alcohol poisoning, coma, or death. Even if you’re not the one drinking, being around people who are can increase the risk of serious injury, car crashes, or violence. It’s okay to say ‘No’ to alcohol to avoid addiction and potential harm to relationships and health.