Mode Of Administration Of Recreational Drugs Essay Example
Mode Of Administration Of Recreational Drugs Essay Example

Mode Of Administration Of Recreational Drugs Essay Example

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  • Pages: 7 (1763 words)
  • Published: July 12, 2016
  • Type: Case Study
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Smoking is the act of burning a substance, usually tobacco, and inhaling or tasting the smoke that is produced. It is commonly practiced to consume recreational drugs as combustion releases active substances like nicotine which can be absorbed through the lungs. Smoking can also have ritualistic uses by inducing trances and aiding spiritual enlightenment. Currently, cigarettes are the most prevalent means of smoking, whether they are commercially manufactured or hand-rolled using loose tobacco and rolling paper.

There are various smoking implements available including pipes, cigars, bidis, hookahs, vaporizers, and bongs. It has been suggested that smoking-related diseases cause the death of 50% of long-term smokers; however, these illnesses can also affect non-smokers. According to a 2007 report, approximately 4.9 million people worldwide die each year due to smoking. Smoking is a widely practiced recreational drug use

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activity. Tobacco smoking is currently the most popular form of smoking globally with over one billion individuals participating in it across most societies. Although less common, cannabis and opium are also used for smoking purposes. Certain substances like heroin are classified as hard narcotics but have limited availability for commercial use.

Historical Background

The act of smoking has its roots in shamanistic ceremonies that originated around 5000 BC. Different ancient civilizations, such as the Babylonians, Indians, and Chinese, included the burning of incense in their religious rituals. This practice was also adopted by the Israelites and later by the Catholic and Orthodox Christian churches. Over time, smoking evolved from a religious practice to a social recreational activity in the Americas.

The use of tobacco and hallucinogenic drugs was employed to enter trances and

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communicate with the spiritual realm. Cannabis, clarified butter (ghee), fish offal, dried snake skins, and various incense stick pastes have been used for over 2000 years. Both fumigation (dhupa) and fire offerings (homa) are recommended in Ayurveda for medicinal purposes and have been practiced for at least 3000 years. Smoking, known as dhumrapana or "drinking smoke," has been a practice for at least 2000 years.

Before the arrival of tobacco, these substances were consumed through pipes, including stems of various lengths or chillums. Cannabis smoking was a prevalent practice in the Middle East, particularly through the use of a water pipe known as a hookah. Smoking, especially after tobacco was introduced, played a significant role in Muslim society and culture, becoming intertwined with important customs like weddings and funerals. This cultural integration was reflected in architecture, clothing, literature, and poetry.

Cannabis smoking was introduced to Sub-Saharan Africa through Ethiopia and the east African coast by Indian or Arab traders as early as the 13th century. This practice shared trade routes with coffee, which originated in the Ethiopian highlands. Cannabis was smoked using calabash water pipes equipped with terra cotta smoking bowls. These pipes were initially developed in Ethiopia but gained popularity in eastern, southern, and central Africa.

Reports from early European explorers and conquistadors in the Americas describe rituals conducted by native priests. These rituals involved smoking themselves into intense states of intoxication. It is speculated that these rituals may have involved substances other than just tobacco. Six years after the settlement of Jamestown in 1612, John Rolfe became the first settler to successfully cultivate tobacco as a profitable crop. The demand

for tobacco, known as the "golden weed," rapidly increased, leading to the revival of the Virginia join stock company which had previously failed in its gold expeditions. To meet the growing demand from the old world, tobacco was continuously grown, resulting in land depletion.

This led to motivation to settle west into the unknown continent and an increase in tobacco production. Indentured servitude was the main labor force until Bacon's Rebellion, after which slavery became the focus. However, slavery became seen as unprofitable after the American revolution. The practice was revived in 1794 with the invention of the cotton gin. [11] Jean Nicot, a Frenchman who introduced tobacco to France in 1560, played a significant role in spreading tobacco to England.

The first recorded instance of an Englishman smoking dates back to 1556 in Bristol. This Englishman was observed "emitting smoke from his nostrils". Similar to tea, coffee, and opium, tobacco was initially used as a medicinal substance among many others. Around 1600, French merchants introduced tobacco to the region now known as Gambia and Senegal. Concurrently, caravans from Morocco transported tobacco to the areas surrounding Timbuktu, and the Portuguese brought both the commodity and the plant to southern Africa. Consequently, tobacco gained popularity across all of Africa by the 1650s.

Tobacco faced criticism from political and religious leaders after its introduction to the Old World. Sultan Murad IV of the Ottoman Empire (1623-40) was one of the first to ban smoking, citing concerns about public morality and health. The Chinese emperor Chongzhen also implemented a smoking prohibition before his death and the overthrow of the Ming dynasty. The Manchu in the

Qing dynasty, originally nomadic horse warriors, went as far as considering smoking a more serious offense than neglecting archery.

In Japan's Edo period, tobacco plantations were seen unfavorably by the shogunate because of their potential impact on the military economy. They believed that growing tobacco was a waste of valuable agricultural land that could have been used for food crops. Nowadays, some students see smoking as a chance to socialize and have study breaks. Moreover, there is often a connection between smoking and drinking alcohol among high school and college students, which is significant given the high rate of alcohol use in this age group.

There are students who think that smoking assists them in socializing, particularly with potential partners of the opposite sex. Tobacco companies exploit this concept by incorporating sexual imagery of both genders into their advertisements. Smoking after consuming alcohol is perceived as a method to readjust and mitigate the impacts of intoxication, despite it not truly reducing blood alcohol levels. College students perceive smoking while drinking as more socially acceptable than smoking while sober. Students who smoke while intoxicated experience less criticism from their peers.

The content of the HTML tag

Conceptual or Theoretical Framework

is a conceptual or theoretical framework.

The hypothesis is as follows:

Smoking cigarettes greatly increases the risk of lung cancer, even when exposed to second-hand smoke. In the Philippines, smoking is attributed to 80% of male lung cancer deaths and 60% of female lung cancer deaths. It is estimated that cigarette smoking causes over 400,000 deaths annually, making it the leading preventable cause of death and disability in developed countries

(National Cancer Institute, 1).

Smoking greatly increases the risk of developing coronary heart disease and heart attack, with up to five times higher than normal. It diminishes antioxidant levels in the blood that play a crucial role in protecting the heart. This reduction makes the heart more vulnerable to disease. Smoking also raises the chances of acquiring emphysema and cancer. Furthermore, second-hand smoke poses similar health hazards, such as an increased risk of heart disease.

Various illnesses, such as cancer, strokes, sudden infant death syndrome, and an exacerbation of cystic fibrosis and asthma symptoms, have potentially been linked to second-hand smoke. Smoking cigarettes can affect blood pressure and heart rate because nicotine causes the narrowing of blood vessels that supply the extremities. As a result, the heart must work harder to provide blood to these areas, increasing the risk of strokes and aneurysms among smokers. Despite numerous studies highlighting the dangers of smoking for both smokers and non-smokers, and most smokers acknowledging its harm, there has not been a significant reduction in the number of smokers. The number of new smokers outweighs those who quit or die from smoking-related illnesses.

The importance of the study is significant.

A recent study found that young people can develop a strong desire for nicotine within two days of trying their first cigarette. Furthermore, around 50% of children who are addicted to smoking show signs of dependence even if they only smoke seven cigarettes per month.

Within two days of their first inhaling, the cravings for nicotine in the most vulnerable 10 percent of children started. Saliva analysis showed that consistently high levels of

nicotine in the bloodstream were not necessary for dependence. In some cases, dependency could be detected just 13 days after starting to smoke. Even without daily smoking, withdrawal symptoms could occur for most people. Prior to becoming daily smokers, over 70 percent experienced uncontrollable cravings. Biochemical analyses supported these findings and showed that dependence symptoms mainly resulted from low levels of nicotine consumption.

According to students, smoking cigarettes can provide anxiety relief and is often used as a response to stressful situations. Research shows that college students who are depressed have a tougher time quitting smoking compared to those who are not depressed. Approximately 31.9% of college smokers believe that smoking helps alleviate their depression symptoms. Depression is linked to decreased self-efficacy, which makes it harder for individuals with depression and low self-esteem to resist the urge to smoke. As a result, people with depression have higher smoking rates than those without.

The scope and limitation of the study

Smoking is highly common in modern society, particularly among high school and college students. Studies have revealed that roughly 90% of individuals who smoke begin during their teenage years. This addiction has various repercussions on the physical health, behavior, and environment of smokers. Research indicates that smoking can result in conditions like asthma, lung cancer, and stomach cancer. Furthermore, nicotine's stimulating properties can improve reaction time and cognitive function. Consequently, numerous high school and college students find incentives to persist in this practice.

The smoking habits of students are primarily influenced by stress, family problems, peer pressure, and the vulnerability associated with adolescence. Smoking is often seen as a coping mechanism for

dealing with stress and mental health issues. Some students start smoking because they observe it within their own families. Peer pressure also plays a role in this behavior, as students may feel pressured to try smoking due to teasing from friends and can become addicted after experimenting with it. Adolescence is a critical time for initiating cigarette use because teenagers are greatly influenced by their environment and may not fully grasp the long-term consequences.

The issue of adolescent smoking is widespread internationally, with consistent reasons behind it. Despite being prohibited, adolescents are drawn to smoking due to the perception that it is an activity for adults. This appeal is especially strong for this age group. The act of starting to smoke has no physiological basis, as the body does not require tobacco like it does for sustenance, hydration, rest, and physical activity. In fact, cigarettes contain various harmful substances like nicotine and cyanide that can be fatal in excessive quantities.

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