Substance abuse

Substance Abuse Smoking HCA 250
March 15, 2013
Robbie Johnson

Substance Abuse Smoking
Smoking is a form of nicotine dependence that many of us rely on for various reasons. Every person smokes for a reason whether it is peer pressure in high school, parents smoking, friends, co workers. People want to fit into the in crowd some have started and want to quit or have tried multiple times and have not succeeded. The withdrawal symptoms can include irritability, anxiety, difficulty concentrating and increased appetite while trying to quit smoking. Smoking is a for of nicotine dependence research suggests that nicotine may be as addictive as heroin, cocaine, or alcohol.(“Smoking Cessation,” 2012) Stress may be another reason people take up smoking to clam your nerves. Depending on how much they smoke you can go through a pack a day or more the more you smoke the harder it is to quit.
Since people smoke everyday they bring their nasty habit to work you can smell it on their clothes and when you walk outside for a break. Every workplace is entitled to have a smoke free workplace for their employees. This rule is existence with state and local governments. Some benefits to keep the workplace smoke free would be they would not be exposed to it at work. Smokers that are willing have a better chance at trying to quit will have an easy chance by not breathing it and wanting a cigarette each time. The employer may have the healthcare costs reduced which shows that the company cares. The employee may less likely to miss work because of smoke related illnesses. The office equipment will last longer such as the carpet and furniture. Here is a brief policy for companies to go by to make sure their workplace is smoke free. No smoking of tobacco products of any kind. The manager has the final say on the designated smoking area outside of the building. This designated area will remain 20 feet form the entrance. All materials used including cigarette butts and matches will be extinguished and dispensed in appropriate containers. People that smoke must keep the area clean otherwise if not properly maintained by the people who use this area it be elimated. No smoking in company vehicles or when transporting a person or persons to an authorized business. As for breaks supervisors will decided this so that it is fair to non smokers and smokers so it does not interfere with the productivity of the staff. Employees will be aware of this policy through newsletters, inserts in pay envelopes, e-mail, orientation, and training. Any employee that smokes may be charged higher for health insurance. According to “Workplace Fairness” (2013) “With health insurance costs rising dramatically in recent years especially for smokers, many employers have started charging smokers higher premiums.”
Employee assistance programs can help people stop smoking by offering then counseling, incentives to quit maybe a pay increase, vacation or sick day. The employees a smoke-free environment helps create a safer, healthier workplace. (cancer.org) The Pacific Center on Health and Tobacco is working with states to create a comprehensive tobacco cessation program. They have developed resources for business, organizations, health care systems, state agencies. Evidence bases state funded quit lines these employees often find them selves missing work while reducing performance, while risking the likelihood of termination with the company. They will also have referral services for ongoing treatment.
Metal health on smoking cigarettes it can cause “Adults with metal illness are more likely to smoke cigarettes and less likely to quit than people with out metal illnesses. (“Smoking Cessation,” 2012) Nicotine is a mood altering stimulant that can mask negative moods. You may feel less anxious another reason is “People with AMI (any mental illness) are more likely to have a lower socioecomic status and less likely to be educated about the dangers of smoking.” (Chicago tribune news) in mental health facilities they still distribute cigarettes as a reward for progress. “Previous studies have shown if you smoke, you cut 10 years off your life.”(“Smoking Cessation,” 2012) even if you choose to quit later in life you can reduce your risk of heart attack, stroke and cancer. You are more likely to die from smoking then a mental health disease. If you have depression or any form of mental illness smoking will increase with the aging process. Your health is slow getting worse day- by- day most public places have a ban on smoking so it can shut you out of the activities you like to do.
Smoking in the workplace can be hazard around every one that works with you. Most places have laws that restrict smoking while others states have not yet adapted a restriction. Smoking can be hard for people to quit even if they have tried the gum, throat lounges, counseling, and patch. Every person has to gain the will power to quit and remain healthy for themselves and friends, families. It slowly kills your brain cells to where you are not able remember where you left things. Every person has to have the will power and not be so dependent on the nicotine. It slowly kills your brain cells while leaving with lung cancer and liver failure and eventually death. There are all kinds of support groups, quit lines that you can join or call. It just depends on the person if they really want to make this life altering change to improve them self and their families.

References:
CDC: Smoking more common among people with mental illness. (2013). Retrieved from http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-03-13/health/ct-x-0313-smoking-depressed- 20130313_1_mental- illnesses-secondhand-smoke-cessation-programs

Smoking Cessation. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/index.htm

Smoking in the Workplace. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.cancer.org/healthy/stayawayfromtobacco/smoke- freecommunities/createasmoke-freeworkplace/index

Workplace Fairness. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.workplacefairness.org/smokingrights?agree=yes

References: CDC: Smoking more common among people with mental illness. (2013). Retrieved from http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-03-13/health/ct-x-0313-smoking-depressed- 20130313_1_mental- illnesses-secondhand-smoke-cessation-programs Smoking Cessation. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/index.htm Smoking in the Workplace. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.cancer.org/healthy/stayawayfromtobacco/smoke- freecommunities/createasmoke-freeworkplace/index Workplace Fairness. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.workplacefairness.org/smokingrights?agree=yes