Chezasalama - Questions and Answers

Questions and Answers - Drug use

Is it true that the side effects of inhaling smoke are lower than breathing in smoke? Both inhaling and breathing tobacco smoke is harmful. If you smoke a cigarette and draw the smoke of it through your mouth into your lungs you will directly experience various negative effects on your organs. If you stand close to a smoker and breathe in the smoke, some effects are less direct. On the other hand as a bystander you may breathe in more of the poisonous elements in tobacco, because there is no filter. Factory-rolled cigarettes have a filter that filters out certain toxic elements like carbon and tannins, which are irritating for the lungs.
Can Gongo and Cigarettes help your digestion? It is a misconception that spirits, when used in small amounts after a meal assist the digestion of particularly fatty foods. Alcohol can even decrease the normal flow of important digestive fluids and hence delay rather than enhance digestion. Nicotine in a cigarette on the other hand, increases the activity of the intestines and therefore facilitates digestion. But nicotine also increases the release of acid in the stomach, which can cause mild to severe stomach- aches.
How can I help someone to stop smoking or drinking? Try to find out, why your friend or relative has the habit of smoking or drinking too much. Try to be there for him or her or get your friend involved in activities that keep him or her busy. Look together with him for alternatives, take him or her along for activities and introduce him or her to friends who do not use any drugs. Tell him or her, how important it is to stay away from temptations. Convince your friend or relative that it is much easier to manage negative situations or feelings in life when being sober. And of course, do not drink or smoke yourself! It may happen that the person gets angry with you or that your friendship cannot continue. Do not blame yourself! You tried to help and you did the best you could. Sometimes it is even better, if you terminate the friendship for your safety and the sake of your friend. He or she might start to realise that there is something wrong and subsequently decide to address his or her problem. It might be necessary for him or her to seek professional help.
If people want to stop drinking alcohol or smoking what should they do? First of all people really must want to stop! This needs a clear decision and a strong will, because it is not easy to stop. Secondly, the person has to think about the situations where he or she feels the ÔøΩneedÔøΩ to smoke or drink. This is usually with a specific group of friends, at a party, after hard work, after or with eating. So if people want to quit smoking or drinking they have to change their habits and lifestyle to avoid temptations. A first step to stop could be by setting targets: e.g. not to smoke the whole week. Reward yourself if you reached your target. If you once failed, start again. Very few people manage stopping completely at the first trial. Most people are not able to only reduce but have to stop completely.
Why do people take drugs? There are many different reasons for people using drugs.Some people hope to forget about their problems.Others use drugs only for fun or because they want to show off and feel adult or strong- and some people just start ÔøΩplaying aroundÔøΩ with drugs and are suddenly unable to stop again . Others feel pressed or conviced by friends or relatives to try out drugs and ÔøΩget the feelingÔøΩ and some use drugs because they are bored. Drugs mostly have unwanted side effects or their effects last only for a limited period of time.In that case ,relief is only for a short duration:the problems are not solved but often even increase once a person is trapped in a viscous circle of drugs.
How can adolescents avoid drugs, alcohol, and tobacco and hashish usage? Many young people start to take drugs because their fellow peers had been taking drugs, and so they felt being pressurized to do the same. Others take drugs because they think it is the way of solving problems. Think about your life and how you would like your future life to be. You will realize that drugs wonÔøΩt help you reach your goals. One good way of avoiding drugs is to avoid groups or individuals who are using such drugs. Get involved in activities that will keep you busy, such as studying, doing physical exercises or helping at home. Other young people enjoy getting involved in religious activities, for example church choirs or youth groups at the mosque or at the church. If someone convinces you to take drugs strongly say ÔøΩNOÔøΩ and tell the person why you do not want to take drug. Explain that taking drugs will endanger your health and that buying them is cost full. In addition taking drugs will hinder you from successfully reaching your lifeÔøΩs goals. If the person is convinced of what you are saying, then he/she will most probably not bother you anymore.