Quit Smoking - Why Is It Harder For Women Than Men?

By Lindsay M Fox



A commonly stated fact is that women find it harder to quit cigarettes

than men. Further, women smokers are unable to take advantage of

certain smoking cessation therapies that are used by men to great

effect. As a woman who is addicted to cigarettes, this is certainly

bad news for you.



Not only are you at greater risk than non-

smokers to get certain cancers as well as heart or

pulmonary diseases, but you are also more likely to

suffer from osteoporosis as you age. If you are planning

to have a child then you might experience a difficult

pregnancy and your child might also have low birth

weight.



An understanding of why women smokers have such a

hard time quitting this habit will help you address your

problem in the correct manner. This will ensure that you

have a fighting chance of quitting this habit.



According to many scientific studies done on this subject,

the main reason is that non-smoker women have the

same number of nicotine receptors in their brain as

women who smoke. It is believed that this has something

to do with the progesterone levels in their body.



Fewer nicotine receptors means that they might still have

the urge to smoke even if the body is exposed to

nicotine. The implication of this fact is that women tend to

be unable to take advantage of nicotine replacement

therapies (NRTs).



Male smokers, on the other hand,

have a lot more nicotine receptors in their brain than non-

smoking men. Therefore, they can make good use of

NRTs, and quit smoking easier than women.



Studies have also found that women tend to be more

dependent on the physical actions associated with

smoking. These include holding a cigarette in the hand or

the lips and drawing on it.



Needless to say, this does not mean that women

smokers should be resigned to their habit since they

cannot get rid of it. They can use NRTs that mimic the

act of smoking; while nicotine patches won't work for

them, electronic smoking devices might.



Further, they can also practice yoga, meditation and any other

exercise that involves deep and rhythmic breathing. This will

definitely go a long way to help them quit smoking.



Now that you know what you are up against you can plan

better to quit smoking. If you get the right kind of support

then you'll find it relatively easy to quit this habit.

Seven Tips To Help In Your First Week Of Quitting Smoking

By Tony Sanger



1. Drink lots of healthy

beverages. This can help you

avoid the dreaded weight gain

associated with quitting, as well

as start flushing years of toxins

out of your body. Use water,

juice and green tea. Avoid

coffee, soda and alcohol at all

costs!



2. Start a healthy exercise

routine. This too will help work the nicotine out of your

system and keep the pounds off! Regular exercise will

also help you begin to forge new habits and a different

schedule to your life.



Having the healthier mindset of

someone who commits to exercise will reinforce your

decision to become a non-smoker. Start small or use the

advice of your physician to make sure your plan for

working out is not too hard on your body.



3. Skip the junk foods. Although it may be tempting to

use the logic that since you've given up smoking, you

owe yourself a few treats, this will be very counter-

productive.



Such foods will quickly pack the pounds on

and maybe cause you to regret the fact that you ever quit

smoking! Eat carrots or sugar-free mints and try eating

more frequent meals in smaller proportions throughput

the day.



4. Add breathing to your list of exercises! Deep

intentional breathing is healthy for anyone, but as a non-

smoker, you've got some extra internal cleansing to do.



Slowly take air in through your nose, hold it momentarily,

then let it out in a controlled manner through your mouth.

This is cleansing and strengthening and will help your

respiratory system return to that of a normal human

being.



5. Get plenty of high-quality sleep. You need rest going

through withdrawal and a few naps or sleeping in an

extra hour will boost your energy levels as well. Even if

you don't fall asleep, use the resting time to meditate and

visualize yourself as a non-smoker.



6. Mix-up your habits and routines. Avoid driving by that

store where you always buy smokes and find something

else to do during breaks and lunch at work. Don't hang

out with people who smoke, no matter if it's your mom or

sibling, at least until you know you have total control over

the urge to smoke!



7. Handle stress right away. Don't wait until you're pulling

your hair out and ready to explode before addressing the

stress in your life, that could lead to a break down of will

power and lighting up!



Take hot showers, get massages,

try yoga and anything else that will help ease your mind

and melt away stress. Such practices are good zen in life

anyway and you can learn to lean on them whenever you

feel overwhelmed or the urge to do you-know-what

again.



Once you get over the first week or so, it will get easier.

Although you may go the rest of your life wanting a

cigarette, you know you will resist! You know you can

remain committed to staying smoke-free and fight the

power cigarettes once had over you.

Building A Drug-free Environment For Teenagers

By Robin Leonardo



Teenagers fall prey to using illicit drugs because they are

tempted to try these drugs. They believe that taking such

drugs will help them attain pleasure and stay active.

Unfortunately, they are unaware of the negative effects

of using drugs on health and are putting their lives at risk.

Drug abuse is harmful for teenagers:



The harmful consequences of teen drug abuse include

increased risk of getting addicted to drugs later in life.

Since their body and mind is still in a developing stage,

their health can seriously get affected by drug abuse.



Short-term consequences of drug abuse include blurred

vision, nausea, glazed eyes, increased fatigue, sudden

weight loss or weight gain, mood swings, etc. Long-term

consequences include kidney, lung and liver failure, brain

damage and high blood pressure leading to heart attack,

stroke and death.



Most common drugs used by teens:

There are different types of illicit drugs that are generally

used by teens. These drugs are very harmful and may

lead to serious health problems. You need to know them

to protect your teen from drug abuse.



Some commonly abused drugs include;

•Alcohol

•Tobacco products

•Marijuana

•Cocaine

•Heroin

•Inhalants

•Ecstasy

•Prescription drugs

•Hallucinogens

•Methamphetamine



Parents and school/college authorities should keep an

eye on teens:



Adolescence is a stage in life when significant changes

in body and mind occur. Teens find it a pleasure in taking

any kind of risk. If they are with the wrong crowd, they

can get into drug abusing habit. Therefore, parents and

school/college authorities should monitor their teens'/

students' behavior. If they notice that the teen is

gradually changing his or her behavior, immediately take

necessary action.



Some common behavioral changes

•Fall in academics

•Rebellious behavior

•Change in friends

•Change in appetite

•Lying to get away with things

•Neglecting physical appearance

•Unexplained need for money



Parents and school/college authorities should watch out

for these changes. If they do notice any of these

changes, they need to confirm the drug abuse. For this

they can take help of drug testing kits. Once drug abuse

is confirmed they need to speak to their children.



Initially, if parents get to know that their teen is abusing

drugs, they should talk to him/her and explain the

negative effects of drugs, because teens at a tender age

are very rebellious. Parents, therefore, should handle the

situation very carefully.



Even after the parents' intervention, if the teen is

adamant and does not want to mend his/her ways, it

would be appropriate to take him/her either to a

counselor or a rehab center.

What Is The Drug, Bath Salt?

By Tony Bylsma



Marketed under various names,

including, "Bath Salts", "Ivory

Wave," "Purple Wave," Vanilla

Sky," and "Bliss", the drug,

MDPV has been the cause of

numerous emergency room

visits and thousands of calls to

the Centers for Disease Control

and Poison Control Centers over the last couple of years.

Bath Salts is actually a powerful stimulant that also has

hallucinogenic properties. A relatively new psychotropic

drug, it reportedly creates effects similar to other

stimulants such as wakefulness, rapid heartbeat,

reduction in appetite and anxiety.



However, this substance causes other, more worrisome

and dangerous effects such as psychotic delusions,

thoughts of suicide and violent behavior.



Are they really for the bath tub?

No, they're not. They are labelled that way to avoid legal

restrictions. Each packet is even clearly marked with,

"Not For Human Consumption", making it difficult to

classify them as drugs. But the real purpose is definitely

substance abuse. These packets contain various drugs,

including the compound 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone

(MDPV) or 4-methylmethcathinone (mephedrone). A

dangerous designer drug, MDPV is popular with teens

and some in the military because it doesn't show on drug

tests.



A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control,

between November 2010 and April 2011 in one county in

Michigan, 35 persons who had ingested, inhaled, or

injected "bath salts" visited a Michigan emergency

department. Among the 35 patients, the most common

signs and symptoms of toxicity were agitation (23

patients [66%]), tachycardia (22 [63%]), and delusions/

hallucinations (14 [40%]). Seventeen patients were

hospitalized, and one was dead upon arrival at the ED.



So how can a product as apparently dangerous as this

be sold legally to the public?

Any product sold in the United States that is classified as

a drug must be approved by the Food and Drug



Administration. The product is then classified according

to criteria such as likelihood of abuse, it's addictive

potentials or any possible medicinal value. Then it can be

sorted into one of several categories.

When a substance does not pass review along these

guidelines, they are classified in the Schedule One

category. These substances are not legal for any

purpose.



But what if it's NOT a drug? What if it is only an additive

for the bath tub? Now special legislation is needed to

outlaw it. This is the case with several of these new

substances of abuse, bath salts is only one. Another is

called "Spice". Also known as K-2, spice is a drug that is

labelled as incense in order to bypass legal requirements

of a drug.



Many states have passed emergency legislation to

outlaw these specific chemicals, but the makers just alter

the compounds slightly, just enough to again slip through

the legal nets.



Our best bet in the fight against these tactics is simply

this, make the public aware of the dangers and very real

consequences of using these chemicals. If enough truth

about bath salts and spice or whatever comes next is

pumped into the environment, repeatedly, we'll see this

latest and nearly craziest drug fad fade away and

become a joke like "smoking banana peels" became

back in the '60s..





Tony Bylsma CCDC, is a rehabilitation counselor and

drug prevention speaker in Los Angeles, CA.

Signs and Symptoms Of Teen Drug Abuse

By Robin Leonardo



Teenagers are highly susceptible to drug abuse.

Unaware of the risks associated, teens initiate and

continue drug abusing habits risking their precious lives.

Parents should keep an eye on their children and looks

for signs and symptoms of drug abuse to save them from

this harmful habit.



Following are warning signs and symptoms that indicate

teen drug abuse:

Physical and health issues:

Intake of drugs by teens, mostly affects the brain. The

brain is still in a developing stage till the age of 25 years.



Therefore, when teens use harmful drugs like nicotine,

cocaine, marijuana, ecstasy or any other illicit

substances, they quickly get addicted to it when

compared to adults.

Other physical and health issues that are associated with

drug abuse are:

•Kidney, liver and heart failure

•Red and glazed eyes

•Weight loss or weight gain

•Coughing

•Sweating

•Fatigue

•Running nose

•Dental problems



Changes in appetite:

Teenagers addicted or prone to drug abuse, either eat

more or less than they need. You can notice change in

their eating habits. You will also notice that either the

teen has gained or lost weight. Some other drastic

changes that may indicate drug abuse in teens are,

change in sleep pattern and hobbies, angry outbursts

and clothing style.



Depression, anxiety or moodiness:

Many teens use drugs to feel the high. But they are

unaware that using drugs will deal with problems such as

anxiety, depression and mood swings. Sudden

behavioral changes in teens could be a sign of hormonal

changes or it could be due to drug abuse. Pay attention

to such sudden and drastic changes in teens, as it could

be an indication that they are in trouble and need help

from their loved ones.



Neglecting physical appearance:

Normally teens are very conscious and concerned about

their physical appearance, grooming, clothing and

personal hygiene. Teens who abuse drugs often focus

less on their physical appearance. They don't want to

maintain even their personal hygiene and cleanliness.

They don't care about the way they look.

Change in friends:

Teenagers addicted to drugs drop regular old friends.



They join new groups of friends. The change in friends

and new hangouts, and getting very secretive about the

new friends, is a clear indication that the teen is with a

wrong group of friends, who will encourage the teen to

experience drugs.



Unexplained need for money:

Illicit drugs are expensive. Teens consuming illicit drugs

may ask for money quite often, without giving any

specific reason. Their unexplained need for money, if not

fulfilled, may lead to loss of money from their parents'

wallet, valuables missing from home or borrowing money

from friends and relatives. Parents should keep a close

watch on their teens, when it comes to money matters.



To detect/confirm drug abuse, use reliable drug test kits:

On discovering your teen abusing illicit drugs, you can

prevent situation from worsening, by detecting/confirming

drug abuse in the privacy of your home, by using reliable,

accurate, fast and FDA-approved drug test kits.

How Spot Cocaine Addiction

By Michael S. Levy



There is no definitive way to spot if someone you know

has an addiction to cocaine, but if you suspect that this

may be the case, then there are some signs that you

should be looking out for. Some are easier to spot than

others.



If the individual in question seems to be getting a lot of

nosebleeds, and this was never the case previously, then

this should be a cause for concern. Nosebleeds are one

of the classic signs that a person is using large amounts

of cocaine on a regular basis, as the drug will begin to

damage or even destroy the lining of the nasal passages.



A runny or blocked nose can also occur with regular use

of cocaine, and may actually present as symptoms

before the nosebleeds begin.

The person in question may be undergoing a dramatic

change in personality, losing interest in people that they

would previously have seen on a regular basis, and

giving up on activities that they used to enjoy. Cocaine

has become the most important thing in the life of the

addict, replacing everything else.



A common feature of people addicted to cocaine, and

sometimes other drugs as well, is that they will stop

going to work, school or college, and may end up losing

their job if the situation becomes too bad. Linked to this

may be financial problems, which are bound to become

worse if they do lose their job. An addict will think nothing

of spending all the money they have to obtain more

cocaine, which may not be immediately obvious.

However, if you notice that they are looking to borrow

money or sell their possessions, then this should be a

very big cause for concern.



Changes in mood can also be a sign of cocaine use and

addiction. When cocaine has been taken recently, a

person will tend to be extremely happy and talkative,

chatting regardless of whether anybody is paying

attention or not. This is known as a cocaine high, and

can last anywhere between fifteen and thirty minutes.



Once the feeling of being high has worn off, the cocaine

user will feel short of energy, possibly depressed, and a

lack of mental clarity may set in. The only way to prevent

this from happening is to take some more cocaine, and it

will be apparent that this is the case if the person

disappears to find some privacy. If cocaine has been

used over a long period of time, in large amounts, then it

is likely that the person will sleep excessively for several

days.



If excessive amounts of cocaine have been used over an

extended period of time, then it is possible that paranoia

can begin to set in. Sometimes, panic attacks can occur,

with symptoms of chest pains and heavy sweating. A

normal social setting may also cause feelings of anxiety.



Another sign that may indicate a drug addiction, whether

cocaine or something else, is if the person has largely

replaced all of their friends with new people that you

have not met before. This is because a drug addict will

begin to spend time with other drug addicts, who will not

ask questions or try to prevent drugs from being used.



When a friend begins to take drugs and forms an

addiction, this is always going to be a difficult situation.

If cocaine is used for a long period of time, then you will

start to notice physical differences in the person. One of

the most obvious will be weight loss. Cocaine reduces

the appetite dramatically, so as the drug use increases,

the amount of food being eaten will drop rapidly. Weight

loss is a classic symptom of cocaine use and abuse.