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Teenage and adolescence is full of turbulence and rebellion without a cause. As a result, one's impressionist, tender age and romantic ideology when shattered pulls one to the extreme dark corners of society. These corners are full of the stench of immorality and death of ethics and values. From here some anti-social elements take one astray and one's ideal upbringing goes for a toss hence one resorts to cigarette smoking.
Tobacco smoking is the act of burning the dried or cured leaves of the tobacco plant and inhaling the smoke for pleasure, ritualistic purposes, self-medication, or out of habit.
Tobacco smoke contains nicotine, an addictive stimulant which temporarily improves alertness, memory, and mood, but also forms a strong physical and psychological chemical dependence medically termed addiction. Nicotine, like any stimulant, can also increase anxiety, restlessness, and disturb metabolism. Medical research has determined that tobacco smoking is a major contributing factor towards many health problems, particularly lung cancer (which has a survival percentage of 16.4%), emphysema, and cardiovascular disease.
The main health risks in tobacco pertain to diseases of the cardiovascular system, in particular smoking being a major risk factor for a myocardial infarction (heart attack), diseases of the respiratory tract such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and emphysema, and cancer, particularly lung cancer and cancers of the larynx and tongue. Prior to World War I, lung cancer was considered to be a rare disease, which most physicians would never see during their career. With the postwar rise in popularity of cigarette smoking, however, came a virtual epidemic of lung cancer.
Smoking options range from nicotine, to cocaine, to grass, to hashish, to bidi; in the form of hookah, pipe, joint etc.
Another aspect of adolescence is the problem with alcoholism. The average age when youth first try alcohol is 11 years for boys and 13 years for girls. It has been estimated that over three million teenagers are out-and-out alcoholics. The three leading causes of death for 15- to 24-year-olds are automobile crashes, homicides and suicides -- alcohol is a leading factor in all three. While drinking may be a singular problem behavior for some, research suggests that for others it may be an expression of general adolescent turmoil that includes other problem behaviors and that these behaviors are linked to unconventionality, impulsiveness, and sensation seeking.
Binge drinking, often beginning around age 13, tends to increase during adolescence, peak in young adulthood (ages 18-22), then gradually decrease. Individuals who increase their binge drinking from age 18 to 24 and those who consistently binge drink at least once a week during this period may have problems attaining the goals typical of the transition from adolescence to young adulthood like marriage and education.
Dependence on alcohol and other drugs is also associated with several psychiatric problems, such as:
1. depression
2. anxiety
3. oppositional defiant disorder (ODD)
4. antisocial personality disorder
Whether anxiety and depression lead to or are consequences of alcohol abuse is not known. Alcohol use among adolescents has also been associated with considering, planning, attempting, and completing suicide. Research does not indicate whether drinking causes suicidal behavior, only that the two behaviors are correlated. Parents' drinking behavior and favorable attitudes about drinking have been positively associated with adolescents' initiating and continuing drinking. Children who were warned about alcohol by their parents and children who reported being closer to their parents were less likely to start drinking.
Lack of parental support, monitoring, and communication have been significantly related to frequency of drinking, heavy drinking, and drunkenness among adolescents. Harsh, inconsistent discipline and hostility or rejection toward children have also been found to significantly predict adolescent drinking and alcohol-related problems. Peer drinking and peer acceptance of drinking have also been associated with adolescent drinking. The most common and effective way for an individual to combat his or her addictive behaviors is through a self-help support group, with advice and support from a health care professional. Treatment should also involve family members because family history may play a role in the origins of the problem and successful treatment cannot take place in isolation.

This Alcoholism article is provided by Articleteller - The Free Article Directory http://www.articleteller.com

Casey is an avid blogger and writes on foods, travel, events and celebrations and love. She writes on Celebrating Holidays Everyday and Love Greetings and Wishes

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