-

"THE ADDICTS IN OUR SOCIETY” [Drug Abuse and Addiction]       This is a prevalent problem in every society of the world. Addicts caused violence and death and made themselves predators to the human race.       This evangelical article is focused to this problem and the incoming articles speak and discussed the societal, legal and spiritual aspect of drug abuse and addiction.       The Cause: Addicts can be people of all ages from all kinds of backgrounds. The underlying cause is often a problem or situation in life which they cannot face or escape from, social pressure to conform or simply a wish to experiment out of curiosity. As the body gets accustomed to the stimulation induced by the mood-changing substance [i.e.., illegal drugs, nicotine, caffeine], more and more of it are needed to get the same effect.       As understood: "Addiction is a dependence on a substance which alters the body chemistry and so changes the user's moods. Illegal drugs such as cannabis, cocaine, crack [a form of cocaine that is smoked], acid [LSD] and heroin all do this. However, medically prescribed tranquilizers and sleeping pills, the nicotine in cigarettes and the caffeine in coffee also have a similar effect. This is known as acquiring a "tolerance" for it. For example, the heavy drinker starts to need an extra scoth or two, the caffeine addict makes his coffee ever stronger and the smoker gets through more cigarettes each day. This process eventually levels out, but by then the next stage has set in-withdrawal symptoms if the addicts cannot get the substance to which they are addicted.[Alternative Medicine, p. 17].        At this stage [increase usage] addicts have to continue taking whatever fix they are hooked on just to feel normal, and a cycle of dependence is established. Curing dependence means:        (1) Giving up all the illegal drugs, and doctors avoiding the over-prescription of potentially addictive medical drugs;        (2) Stopping smoking and reducing alcohol intake to mode- rate levels;        (3) Cutting down stimulants such as tea and coffee-using decaffeinated coffee to reduce caffeine intake [Alternative Medicine p. 17]. Stimulants and Narcotics       Under this heading[stimulants and narcotics] is classed a great variety of articles that, altogether used as food or drink, irritate the stomach, poison the blood, and excite the nerves. Their use is a positive evil. Men seek the excitement of stimulants, because, for the time, the results seem agreeable. But there is always a reaction to everything. Stimulants and narcotics are no exception. The use of these stimulants and narcotics always tends to excess, and they are active agents in promoting physical and moral degeneration and decay.       Tea and Coffee.- These two are stimulants to a certain degree, together with other popular drinks. Comparatively, with other intoxicating drinks[liquors] tobacco and illegal drugs , these two have milder effects as stimulants unless users have the unwanted incurable defects at the back common to those having some troubled minds. Tea acts as stimulants, and, to a certain extent produces intoxication. The action of coffee and many other popular drinks is similar. The first effect is exhilarating. The nerves of the stomach are excited; these convey irritation to the brain, and this is in turns is aroused to impart increased actions to the heart, and short-lived energy to the entire system. Fatigue is forgotten: the strength seems to be increased. The intellect is aroused, the imagination becomes more vivid. Because of these results, many suppose that their tea or coffee is doing them great good. But this is a mistake. Ten and coffee do not nourish the system. Their effect is produced before there has been time for digestion and assimilation, and what seemed to be strength is only nervous excitement. when the influence of the stimulant is gone, the unnatural force abates, and the result is a corresponding degree of languor and debility. The continued use of these nerve irritants is followed by headache, wakefulness, palpitation of the heart, indigestion, trembling, and many other evils; for they were away life forces. Tired nerves need rest and quiet instead of stimulation and overwork. Nature needs time to recuperate her exhausted energies. When her forces are goaded on by the use of stimulants, more will be accomplished for a time; but as the system becomes debilitated by their constant use, it gradually becomes more difficult to rouse the energies to the desired point. The demand for stimulants becomes more difficult to control, until the will is overburden.       Smoking.- In spite of overwhelming evidence of its detrimental health effects, smoking continues to be one of our most popular addictive. The dangers come mainly from chemicals inhaled in tobacco or in cigarette smoke- i.e., tar, nicotine, carbon dioxide, hydrogen cyanide and ammonia.       Tobacco is a slow, insidious, but most malignant poison. In whatever form it is used, it tells upon the constitution: it is all the more dangerous because the effects are slow, and at first hardly perceptible. It excites and then paralyzes the nerves. It weakens had clouds the brain. Often it affects the nerves in a more powerful manner than does intoxicating drink. It is more subtle, and its effects are difficult to eradicate from the system. Its use excised a thirst for strong drink, and in many cases lays the foundation for the liquor habit. The use of tobacco is inconvenient, expensive, uncleanly, defiling to the user, and offensive to others. Its devotees are encountered everywhere. You are rarely pass through a crowd but some smoker puffs his poisoned breath in your face. It is unpleasant and unhealthful to remain in a railway car or in a room where the atmosphere is lade with the fumes of liquor and tobacco. Though men persist in using these poisons themselves, what right have they to defile the air that others must breath.[White, Ministry of Healing, p. 261].        Nicotine is the addictive agent in cigarette smoke, and makes it hard to quit the habit. It is a stimulating drug which elevates your mood, making you title more confident with each puff- and a little more addicted to it. Nicotine and other chemicals in the smoke are tagged scientifically to be responsible for three of the most deadly smoking related diseases: lung cancer, heart disorders and emphysema.       Contrasting with this scientific theory and observation, it is discerned that lung cancer, heart disorders, emphysema etc. are by charismatic observation caused by mild bone misalignment/dislocation mentioned in the other works of the author.        Alcoholism.- One of the most common forms of addiction is alcoholism. It develops when the drinkers bodies become so used to absorbing large amount of alcohol that they can no longer function normally when they do not drink. The symptoms are a continual graving for alcohol, an inability to drink moderately and, as the illness develops, a need to drink more to get the same effect.       Mostly, alcoholism develops slowly over years of steadily increasing consumption. The victim may start by drinking to be "one of the crowd", or to give himself a lift, or to help him forget his worries. Later his system becomes dependent on alcohol and, if he cannot get it, he suffers withdrawal symptoms such as feverishness, sleeplessness and tremors accompanied by hallucinations- delirium tremens[DTs]. Alcoholism should always be treated by a doctor since continual heavy drinking can cause serious liver disorders, brain damage, mouth, throat and pancreatic cancer, obesity, anemia, sexual problems and disorders of the stomach, nervous system and heart.       Heavy drinking has been major factor in wrecking conjugal homes, commission of serious crimes and in causing several fatal accidents. The bible nowhere sanctions the use of intoxicating wine. Thus, some of the scriptural passages:       (1) "Wine is arrogant, strong drink is riotous; none who goes astray for it is wise."[Proverb 20:1]       (2) Who scream? Who shriek? Who have strife? Who have anxiety? Who have wounds for nothing? Who have black eyes?       Those who linger long over wine, those who engage in trials of blended wine,. Look not on the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the glass. It goes down smoothly; but in the end it bites like a serpent, or like a poisonous adder. Your eyes behold strange sights, and your heart utters disordered thoughts; You are like one now lying in the depths of the sea, now sprawled at the top of the mast. They struck me, but it pained me not; they beat me, but I felt it not; When shall I awake to seek wine once again?[Proverb 23:29-35].       Never was traced by human hand a more vivid picture of the debasement and the slavery of the victim of intoxicating drink. Enthralled, degraded, even when awakened to a sense of his misery, he has not power to break from the snare" "he will seek it yet again" [Prov. 23:35]. No argument is needed to show the evil effects of intoxicants on the drunkard. The bleared, bestowed wrecks of humanity- souls for whom Christ died, and over whom angels weep- are everywhere. they are a blot on our boasted civilization. They are the shame and curse and peril of every land. And who can picture the wretchedness, the agony, the despair, that are hidden in the drunkard's home? Think of the wife, often delicately reared, sensitive, cultured, and refined linked to one whom drink transformed into a sot or a demon. Think of the children, robbed of home comforts, education, and training, living in terror of him who should be their pride and protection, thrust into the world, bearing the brand of share, often with the hereditary curse of the drunkard's test.[ White, Ministry of Healing, p. 263].       Through the influence of drink. Some official on a railroad train neglects to heed a signal, or misinterprets an order. One goes the train and car; there is a collision and many lives are lost. Or vessel is aground, and passenger and crew find a watery grave. When the matter is investigated, it is found that someone at an important post was under the influence of drink. To what extent can one indulge the liquor habit and be safely trusted with the lives of human beings? He can be Trusted only as he totally abstains. Back | Home | Next

Internet Resources

Geocities.com Click Here to Join and be a part of the Geocities Community! Yahoo.com Free Email Service for life! ; Largest search engine online; Mactan.i-p.com Free Email Service Javascriptcity.com JavascriptCity is all you need for your javascript needs, in one place! - Get Free Online Tutorials, Script Samples & links to other useful sites! Yehey.com Yehey! search engine, free e-mail and other stuff.