Success is achievable for everyone so long you aspire to move ahead in life and acquire things you have in mind. In order to succeed, there are keys you need to apply and unlock the door that would lead you out of failure and obscurity into fame and prosperity.
No one wants to remain in abject poverty; no one wants to be a failure and be treated with contempt by his peers. Success brings prestige, respect or honour; so everyone desires to be successful in life and be treated as an important personality, and not as a nonentity. You need to apply the following strategies if you are aspiring to be successful:
1. Don’t procrastinate: Procrastination is a dream killer; anyone aspiring to be an accomplished person must therefore put it far away from his/her life. It is the act of postponing what you can do right now for a future date. If you keep procrastinating, you are not likely to succeed at the right time you are supposed to. It could make you end up not doing what should have brought you prosperity. Therefore, you should learn to do whatever you wish to do as soon as the idea comes into your mind without having to put it off for the future.
2. Aspire to grow: You must have the desire or hunger to move further in life. You can hardly succeed if there is no hunger to get out of your mediocre life. You must have the urge to improve yourself in some way. It is this hunger and desire that actually propel you into achieving what you dream of.
3. Dig for information: Don’t just be passive about success; you have to be proactive. You need to get information that would put you on the road to excellence. Read good books, consult people who are in some ways better than yourself, and possibly pay a professional who has the right information you need.
4. Work hard: Diligence is the key to breaking out of mediocrity into stardom. You have to work real hard if you are to be what you desire to be. Success does not come by mere wishing; it comes through hard work. Hard work pays.
5. Change your friends: If you are not succeeding, then you need to change the people you associate with because they have a way of influencing the level you reach in life. Begin to associate with successful people who have a way of rubbing off on you and make you grow to their level. When you associate with such person, you begin to imbibe their mentality and grow in their direction.
6. Read autobiographies: Check the lives of great men, read their autobiographies and you would see that hard work had lifted them to where they are. You are bound to discover the secret to success as you keep reading the biographies or autobiographies of great people like Abraham Lincoln, Nelson Mandela, Bill Gates, Carlos Slim, Warren Buffett, Daniel Carnegie, Aliko dangote, etc. The more you seek to know their secret the more you discover things that would make you excel in life.
7. Take action: Reading autobiographies, getting the right information and dreaming would never take you anywhere except you take action and apply whatever information you have gathered to your life. You need to build a business, set up a website if you want to manage a forum or information site; you need to go to school to improve yourself. You also need to develop your ministry if you have God’s call. You can never be the real you if you do not take action to start what would be used as a stepping stone to take you where you ought to be.
8. Believe in yourself: It is very difficult for anyone who does not believe in himself to succeed. You have what it takes to get to where you wish to be. If you believe you can, then you can. Don’t see yourself as one who cannot make it in life.
So think of what you can do and go ahead to do it without wasting time any further. You have the power to determine how far you get in life. Having done all you need to do, commit your ways to God and he will help you to achieve your life’s desires.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Gbaaaaaam! And It Happened; See What Alcohol Could Do
The sound of ‘gbaaaaam’ and the crackling of metals woke the entire neighbourhood from their early morning sleep. With sleepy eyes, people rushed toward the direction of the sound. An accident had just happened, and five people were dead, with several others injured.
The driver of the 18-seater Toyota Hiace bus was caught between the seat and the dash board; his legs were tightly wedged in between the brake and clutch pedals. The villagers tried to pull him out of his seat, but he remained glued; and after all attempts to free him failed, they decided to employ the use of axes to destroy the engine of the vehicle in order to free his legs.
While some concentrated their energy on breaking the vehicle’s engine, others tried to revive the few passengers who still had hope of survival. The dead bodies were separated and kept by the corner of the bush. Eventually they were able to free the driver’s legs, and he was rushed to the nearby hospital along with the other injured passengers.
One more passenger, a young man, died on their way to the hospital from his multiple injuries. They finally got to the accident and emergency ward and were received by a well prepared medical team. The nurses ran around cleaning and suturing wounds, and the doctors concentrated on carrying out surgery on two persons (the driver and one other passenger) whose cases were critical.
Eventually, they were able to repair the passenger’s abdominal wall that had been penetrated by a piece of glass. However, the driver was not that lucky as he had his two legs amputated because they were badly damaged. Though his broken collar bone was successfully repaired, he would have to live on a wheel chair for the rest of his life.
What actually went wrong?
The driver admitted driving under the influence of alcohol on that fateful day of the incidence. He also admitted he had resorted to the use of alcohol since he lost his wife two years earlier, as a way of consoling himself. Eventually he had become hooked on alcohol; so on that fateful day, he had taken about three shots of local gin (ogogoro or kaikai) at the motor park before embarking on the ill-fated journey.
He had driven at top speed all night until he got to that bend and suddenly saw a broken down trailer. He tried to avoid the trailer, but swerved into the bush where he collided with a palm tree. And now he has to live on a wheel chair for the rest of his life.
It is not a good idea to drive under the influence of alcohol; and it is also not the best to console oneself with alcohol, because one could become addicted to it and suffer more harms than the original problems he was trying to escape from. Alcohol can directly or indirectly destroy your life. Run away from it; it has nothing good to offer you.
The driver of the 18-seater Toyota Hiace bus was caught between the seat and the dash board; his legs were tightly wedged in between the brake and clutch pedals. The villagers tried to pull him out of his seat, but he remained glued; and after all attempts to free him failed, they decided to employ the use of axes to destroy the engine of the vehicle in order to free his legs.
While some concentrated their energy on breaking the vehicle’s engine, others tried to revive the few passengers who still had hope of survival. The dead bodies were separated and kept by the corner of the bush. Eventually they were able to free the driver’s legs, and he was rushed to the nearby hospital along with the other injured passengers.
One more passenger, a young man, died on their way to the hospital from his multiple injuries. They finally got to the accident and emergency ward and were received by a well prepared medical team. The nurses ran around cleaning and suturing wounds, and the doctors concentrated on carrying out surgery on two persons (the driver and one other passenger) whose cases were critical.
Eventually, they were able to repair the passenger’s abdominal wall that had been penetrated by a piece of glass. However, the driver was not that lucky as he had his two legs amputated because they were badly damaged. Though his broken collar bone was successfully repaired, he would have to live on a wheel chair for the rest of his life.
What actually went wrong?
The driver admitted driving under the influence of alcohol on that fateful day of the incidence. He also admitted he had resorted to the use of alcohol since he lost his wife two years earlier, as a way of consoling himself. Eventually he had become hooked on alcohol; so on that fateful day, he had taken about three shots of local gin (ogogoro or kaikai) at the motor park before embarking on the ill-fated journey.
He had driven at top speed all night until he got to that bend and suddenly saw a broken down trailer. He tried to avoid the trailer, but swerved into the bush where he collided with a palm tree. And now he has to live on a wheel chair for the rest of his life.
It is not a good idea to drive under the influence of alcohol; and it is also not the best to console oneself with alcohol, because one could become addicted to it and suffer more harms than the original problems he was trying to escape from. Alcohol can directly or indirectly destroy your life. Run away from it; it has nothing good to offer you.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Defensive Driving: 7 Rules You Must Not Neglect
Defensive driving is simply driving in such a way as to prevent accidents in spite of the actions of others, or the presence of adverse road conditions. It all involves having to drive in a way to save lives, time and money.
To be able to drive defensively, you need to be familiar with some rules and also be willing to obey these rules.
1.Be safety conscious: You have to think of your safety and that of others
a.Avoid the tendency to over speed, because it puts everyone’s life in danger, including yours.
b.Put on your seat belt always: This reduces the danger of hitting your chest on the steering wheel should there be an accident.
c.Make sure your doors are locked, to avoid being forcefully thrown out of the car incase of an accident.
d.Maintain a safe distance between you and the car in front of you, there should be at least 2-3 seconds gap between the two of you.
2.See the hazard ahead: You should not assume everything is going to be alright. Think about what is likely to happen the next second.
a.Reduce your speed in residential areas: It should be between 30-40km/hr or slower.
b.Watch out for drivers that may wander into your lane and avoid them.
c.Use your mirror to see if any driver behind you is driving in an unsafe or aggressive manner. Pull out of the road to avoid such driver.
d.Watch very well before crossing the traffic light, even though you have been by the green light, because some drivers may disobey or refuse to stop at the junction even when the red light is on.
3.Understand the defense: Specific situation require specific ways to take care of them. Be aware of the unusual conditions that you may come across, and think of how to overcome them when there is need.
a.Reduce your speed if it starts to rain, because it takes twice the normal stopping distance to stop with safety on a wet road.
b.Your safe distance to follow the vehicle in front of you should then be twice the normal rule of 2 or 3 seconds; increase it to 4 or 6 seconds.
c.To avoid broadside skid, take your foot off the accelerator and turn into the skid.
d.If your foot brake fails while descending a hill, change to a lower gear and if necessary, apply your hand brake to stop your car from gaining speed.
e.When you approach a slippery surface, sharp bend, cross roads, or any other hazard, you should check your rear view mirror and give the slowing down signal. Reduce your speed, change to a lower gear, sound the horn if necessary or stop, until it is safe to proceed.
4.Avoid distractions: You should remain focused, and don’t allow anything to distract your attention. Your safety and safety of others should be the only thing that should occupy your mind.
a.Don’t argue or talk with passengers while you are on the steering.
b.Don’t make or take calls while you drive, it could distract you.
c.Don’t let the music in your car to be too noisy; excessive noise makes you lose concentration.
d.Don’t focus your attention on people by the side of the road, or on other side attractions.
e.Remai focused on the road, vehicles ahead, and watch out for anyone who may want to cross the road.
f.Don’t eat or drink while you are on the steering; park your car and eat, or eat at the end of your journey.
g. Don’t quarrel with anybody while you drive; this could make you angry and lose concentration.
5.Maintain clarity of mind
a.Don’t drink alcohol if you must drive; its reduces your sense of judgment.
b.Don’t drive under the influence of any substance.
c.Don’t use some prescribed or over-the-counter drugs because they make you drowsy or reduce your reaction time.
d.Don’t drive after receiving a very bad news .e.g. the news of the death of a close friend or spouse.
6.Understand static hazards: Static hazards are conditions of the road or traffic that are always there e.g. round about, junction, bend, dead ground, hill, bridge etc.
a.Give way to the vehicle on your left when you get to a round about.
b.On getting to a road junction, slow down, stop and allow the vehicle on the straight road to pass first, if you are on the road that intercepts the minor one.
c.Never overtake on a bend, because you may not see any oncoming vehicle
d.Never overtake on a hill, bridge or major road junctions.
7.Back safely: You should not endanger the lives of others while trying to back, because backing could be difficult sometimes.
a.You may get out of the car and inspect the area you want to back into.
b.You may also have someone outside, that should guide you into position
c.Sound the horn several times if your vehicle does not have reverse alarm
d.Check side mirrors, and back slowly: keep checking your mirror as you back.
To be able to drive defensively, you need to be familiar with some rules and also be willing to obey these rules.
1.Be safety conscious: You have to think of your safety and that of others
a.Avoid the tendency to over speed, because it puts everyone’s life in danger, including yours.
b.Put on your seat belt always: This reduces the danger of hitting your chest on the steering wheel should there be an accident.
c.Make sure your doors are locked, to avoid being forcefully thrown out of the car incase of an accident.
d.Maintain a safe distance between you and the car in front of you, there should be at least 2-3 seconds gap between the two of you.
2.See the hazard ahead: You should not assume everything is going to be alright. Think about what is likely to happen the next second.
a.Reduce your speed in residential areas: It should be between 30-40km/hr or slower.
b.Watch out for drivers that may wander into your lane and avoid them.
c.Use your mirror to see if any driver behind you is driving in an unsafe or aggressive manner. Pull out of the road to avoid such driver.
d.Watch very well before crossing the traffic light, even though you have been by the green light, because some drivers may disobey or refuse to stop at the junction even when the red light is on.
3.Understand the defense: Specific situation require specific ways to take care of them. Be aware of the unusual conditions that you may come across, and think of how to overcome them when there is need.
a.Reduce your speed if it starts to rain, because it takes twice the normal stopping distance to stop with safety on a wet road.
b.Your safe distance to follow the vehicle in front of you should then be twice the normal rule of 2 or 3 seconds; increase it to 4 or 6 seconds.
c.To avoid broadside skid, take your foot off the accelerator and turn into the skid.
d.If your foot brake fails while descending a hill, change to a lower gear and if necessary, apply your hand brake to stop your car from gaining speed.
e.When you approach a slippery surface, sharp bend, cross roads, or any other hazard, you should check your rear view mirror and give the slowing down signal. Reduce your speed, change to a lower gear, sound the horn if necessary or stop, until it is safe to proceed.
4.Avoid distractions: You should remain focused, and don’t allow anything to distract your attention. Your safety and safety of others should be the only thing that should occupy your mind.
a.Don’t argue or talk with passengers while you are on the steering.
b.Don’t make or take calls while you drive, it could distract you.
c.Don’t let the music in your car to be too noisy; excessive noise makes you lose concentration.
d.Don’t focus your attention on people by the side of the road, or on other side attractions.
e.Remai focused on the road, vehicles ahead, and watch out for anyone who may want to cross the road.
f.Don’t eat or drink while you are on the steering; park your car and eat, or eat at the end of your journey.
g. Don’t quarrel with anybody while you drive; this could make you angry and lose concentration.
5.Maintain clarity of mind
a.Don’t drink alcohol if you must drive; its reduces your sense of judgment.
b.Don’t drive under the influence of any substance.
c.Don’t use some prescribed or over-the-counter drugs because they make you drowsy or reduce your reaction time.
d.Don’t drive after receiving a very bad news .e.g. the news of the death of a close friend or spouse.
6.Understand static hazards: Static hazards are conditions of the road or traffic that are always there e.g. round about, junction, bend, dead ground, hill, bridge etc.
a.Give way to the vehicle on your left when you get to a round about.
b.On getting to a road junction, slow down, stop and allow the vehicle on the straight road to pass first, if you are on the road that intercepts the minor one.
c.Never overtake on a bend, because you may not see any oncoming vehicle
d.Never overtake on a hill, bridge or major road junctions.
7.Back safely: You should not endanger the lives of others while trying to back, because backing could be difficult sometimes.
a.You may get out of the car and inspect the area you want to back into.
b.You may also have someone outside, that should guide you into position
c.Sound the horn several times if your vehicle does not have reverse alarm
d.Check side mirrors, and back slowly: keep checking your mirror as you back.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Cigarette Smoking; Is It Worth The Risk?
Jackson soon became a chronic cigarette smoker and refused to heed the advice of his friends to quit the dangerous practice. He felt he was enjoying, and above all he saw his friends as people who were not sociable. He concluded he had the right to do whatever pleased him, and to take whatever gave him satisfaction.
Jackson was a promising Youngman; he was the only son of his parents (he had six sisters), and so he was over pampered, and he got whatever he wanted. Being the only male child, his parents felt he should not be deprived of anything that gave him happiness; he exploited this privilege to his own detriment.
He was academically brilliant, sociable and studious, but he was stubborn and spoilt child. He loved sports (especially football and swimming), and he joined his local football team at a very tender age as a striker. He even played for his secondary school team, where he captained them to win the principal’s cup.
Soon Jackson began to associate with bad friends and started to smoke different brands of cigarette. He started with one or two sticks a day; but later graduated to smoking several sticks to several packets a day. His friends tried to advise him to stop, noting that nicotine would harm his health. But he refused to take their advice: he gave several excuses as to why he would not be able to quit. He even said he could not eat well, go to toilet, feel relaxed, concentrate to read or even think straight without it.
He continued to smoke and nothing happened to him; but in his second year in the university, he suddenly discovered he could no longer breathe very well each time he played football. Initially he had mistaken it for the effect of the dry weather; but things soon began to get worse. He got tired with little exertion and also began to cough slightly. Within a short time, he had started coughing seriously, producing mucopurulent sputum. He began also to feel a sharp pain in the thoracic region. His appetite depreciated and, he began to lose weight. He could no longer play football, his popular game.
His parents eventually took him to see the doctor, and after some tests were conducted and x-ray taken, the doctor broke the sad news to his parents. “I am afraid, your son has got cancer of the lungs”, the doctor told his parents. They were devastated by the news. The mother collapsed and was rushed into the emergency ward where she was revived. Jackson had only few months to live; he died six months after the diagnosis. His dreams of becoming a professional footballer and a medical doctor all died with him.
He was his parents’ hope, the only male child that should sustain the family name. The parents could not bear the heart break; the mother’s blood pressure soon began to rise because of the mental and psychological trauma she went through. Two years after Jackson’s death, his mother also died.
Cigarette smoking could destroy one’s dream and vision. It could shorten one’s life and bring pains to one’s family and friends. Is the risk you take with your life really worth it? You must abstain from it and resist the temptation to smoke, because once you give in to it, you may be hooked for life.
Jackson was a promising Youngman; he was the only son of his parents (he had six sisters), and so he was over pampered, and he got whatever he wanted. Being the only male child, his parents felt he should not be deprived of anything that gave him happiness; he exploited this privilege to his own detriment.
He was academically brilliant, sociable and studious, but he was stubborn and spoilt child. He loved sports (especially football and swimming), and he joined his local football team at a very tender age as a striker. He even played for his secondary school team, where he captained them to win the principal’s cup.
Soon Jackson began to associate with bad friends and started to smoke different brands of cigarette. He started with one or two sticks a day; but later graduated to smoking several sticks to several packets a day. His friends tried to advise him to stop, noting that nicotine would harm his health. But he refused to take their advice: he gave several excuses as to why he would not be able to quit. He even said he could not eat well, go to toilet, feel relaxed, concentrate to read or even think straight without it.
He continued to smoke and nothing happened to him; but in his second year in the university, he suddenly discovered he could no longer breathe very well each time he played football. Initially he had mistaken it for the effect of the dry weather; but things soon began to get worse. He got tired with little exertion and also began to cough slightly. Within a short time, he had started coughing seriously, producing mucopurulent sputum. He began also to feel a sharp pain in the thoracic region. His appetite depreciated and, he began to lose weight. He could no longer play football, his popular game.
His parents eventually took him to see the doctor, and after some tests were conducted and x-ray taken, the doctor broke the sad news to his parents. “I am afraid, your son has got cancer of the lungs”, the doctor told his parents. They were devastated by the news. The mother collapsed and was rushed into the emergency ward where she was revived. Jackson had only few months to live; he died six months after the diagnosis. His dreams of becoming a professional footballer and a medical doctor all died with him.
He was his parents’ hope, the only male child that should sustain the family name. The parents could not bear the heart break; the mother’s blood pressure soon began to rise because of the mental and psychological trauma she went through. Two years after Jackson’s death, his mother also died.
Cigarette smoking could destroy one’s dream and vision. It could shorten one’s life and bring pains to one’s family and friends. Is the risk you take with your life really worth it? You must abstain from it and resist the temptation to smoke, because once you give in to it, you may be hooked for life.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Cigar: 9 Reasons Why We Should Not Smoke It
Cigar is dangerous to health and so it should be avoided, as smoking it does not only pose a threat to the health of the user; it also threatens the life of the passive smoker (one who inhales the smoke from what another person is smoking).
Cigar is the roll of dried Tobacco leaves, which people smoke like cigarette. It is usually bigger than cigarette and it is not wrapped with paper. The danger it poses to human health is the same as that posed by cigarette since they both contain tar, Nicotine and several other impurities. The danger it poses to health far outweighs its benefits, if any.
Cigar must be avoided if you must enjoy optimum health and last long. Some of the reasons why it must be avoided include:
Chronic Bronchitis: Cigar causes chronic bronchitis (chronic inflammation of the bronchi). The poisonous substances it contains weaken the cilia in the upper respiratory tract, thereby exposing the individual to repeated respiratory tract infections. With time the infections spread to the bronchi, causing acute bronchitis. When this is not well managed, chronic bronchitis results.
Emphysema: Pulmonary emphysema occurs as a result of repeated respiratory diseases; it leads to abnormal distension of the alveoli, and subsequently to the formation of bullae on the lung surface, following the breakdown of the intervening walls of the alveoli. The individual experiences breathlessness and this could get worse on exertion.
Lung cancer: the chemicals in the cigar alter the cell structure of the lungs thereby leading to the development of lung cancer. Once this condition is diagnosed, the individual does not usually last for more than 2 years. He experiences severe pains in the chest region, breathlessness, extreme tiredness and some times cough.
Stroke: Cigar smoking usually worsens an already existing arteriosclerosis. The tiny blood vessels in the brain could be ruptured as blood forces its way through them. When this happens, the individual suffers from stroke or apoplexy, with loss of sensation or paralysis of the opposite side of the body to the lesion.
Mouth and Throat cancer: Chemicals or hydrocarbons in Tobacco also lead to cancer of the lips, cheek, tongue and larynx. Surgical operation to remove those cancerous cells could lead to the damage of the vocal cord, producing loss of voice: they could also be disfiguring.
Heart disease: The poisonous substances in cigar can lead to heart disease such as pericarditis. Repeated respiratory infections and chronic bronchitis can also lead to congestive cardiac failure.
Gastric ulcer: Nicotine decreases mucus secretion in the GIT, and allows diffusion of acid to the mucus lining: and in turn lead to auto-digestion of the mucus lining. This auto digestion exposes more portion of the intestine to the effect of gastric acid and hydrochloric acid.
Cancer of the bladder: The chemical wastes from cigar are excreted through the kidneys. The urinary bladder acts as temporary storage tank for the urine containing these chemicals; and so with time, the bladder develops cancer.
Fetal risk: Smokers expose their unborn fetuses to the carbon monoxide produced from the incomplete combustion of tobacco. Carbon monoxide in turn reduces oxygen and haemoglobin supplied to the foetus, thereby leading to poor development and low weight, as well as increasing the risk of premature birth and intra-uterine death.
One has to completely avoid the use of cigar if one is to escape from the afore-mentioned dangers. Non-smokers must also protect themselves by running away from smokers, in order to escape from the effects of secondary smoking. Remember that most health ministries now warn that “smokers are liable to die young.”
Cigar is the roll of dried Tobacco leaves, which people smoke like cigarette. It is usually bigger than cigarette and it is not wrapped with paper. The danger it poses to human health is the same as that posed by cigarette since they both contain tar, Nicotine and several other impurities. The danger it poses to health far outweighs its benefits, if any.
Cigar must be avoided if you must enjoy optimum health and last long. Some of the reasons why it must be avoided include:
Chronic Bronchitis: Cigar causes chronic bronchitis (chronic inflammation of the bronchi). The poisonous substances it contains weaken the cilia in the upper respiratory tract, thereby exposing the individual to repeated respiratory tract infections. With time the infections spread to the bronchi, causing acute bronchitis. When this is not well managed, chronic bronchitis results.
Emphysema: Pulmonary emphysema occurs as a result of repeated respiratory diseases; it leads to abnormal distension of the alveoli, and subsequently to the formation of bullae on the lung surface, following the breakdown of the intervening walls of the alveoli. The individual experiences breathlessness and this could get worse on exertion.
Lung cancer: the chemicals in the cigar alter the cell structure of the lungs thereby leading to the development of lung cancer. Once this condition is diagnosed, the individual does not usually last for more than 2 years. He experiences severe pains in the chest region, breathlessness, extreme tiredness and some times cough.
Stroke: Cigar smoking usually worsens an already existing arteriosclerosis. The tiny blood vessels in the brain could be ruptured as blood forces its way through them. When this happens, the individual suffers from stroke or apoplexy, with loss of sensation or paralysis of the opposite side of the body to the lesion.
Mouth and Throat cancer: Chemicals or hydrocarbons in Tobacco also lead to cancer of the lips, cheek, tongue and larynx. Surgical operation to remove those cancerous cells could lead to the damage of the vocal cord, producing loss of voice: they could also be disfiguring.
Heart disease: The poisonous substances in cigar can lead to heart disease such as pericarditis. Repeated respiratory infections and chronic bronchitis can also lead to congestive cardiac failure.
Gastric ulcer: Nicotine decreases mucus secretion in the GIT, and allows diffusion of acid to the mucus lining: and in turn lead to auto-digestion of the mucus lining. This auto digestion exposes more portion of the intestine to the effect of gastric acid and hydrochloric acid.
Cancer of the bladder: The chemical wastes from cigar are excreted through the kidneys. The urinary bladder acts as temporary storage tank for the urine containing these chemicals; and so with time, the bladder develops cancer.
Fetal risk: Smokers expose their unborn fetuses to the carbon monoxide produced from the incomplete combustion of tobacco. Carbon monoxide in turn reduces oxygen and haemoglobin supplied to the foetus, thereby leading to poor development and low weight, as well as increasing the risk of premature birth and intra-uterine death.
One has to completely avoid the use of cigar if one is to escape from the afore-mentioned dangers. Non-smokers must also protect themselves by running away from smokers, in order to escape from the effects of secondary smoking. Remember that most health ministries now warn that “smokers are liable to die young.”
Friday, June 11, 2010
5 Reasons Why You Should Not Do Drugs
A young man was arrested by the police and was taken to the emergency ward of a hospital, after he knocked down an 18years old girl with his power bike, and suffered multiple injuries himself. I watch as he tried to resist police arrest. He struggled and yelled at the top of his voice, bleeding from wounds on his left brow, forehead, right ankle, knees and left forearm.
It took the effort of five able bodied policemen to bundle him into the waiting police van. He kicked and cursed as he was taken to the nearest hospital; he was actually bleeding profusely from the left brow and needed to be taken to the hospital fast. I followed the police van on a motor bike; I needed to see what happened at the hospital as the young man’s behaviour was completely strange to me.
On arrival at the hospital, another drama ensued: the patient refused to come down from the van. He held on to one of the poles by the side of the vehicle. The policemen tried all the tricks they knew to get him down from the vehicle, all to no avail. He eventually grew weaker and began to faint before they could get him into the emergency ward. He was given an anaesthesia before the doctor and nurses could stitch his wounds.
The following day I paid him a visit, only to meet a very sober person showing some signs of depression. He was completely disappointed at himself: he admitted he was under the influence of drugs. He realized that he would have died because of his stupid acts if not because of the police.
Why should you not do drugs?
You should never do drugs because if you do, you are likely to encounter one of these problems:
1.You are not in charge of your actions: Drugs would make you not be in charge of your senses and actions. You would lose your reasoning power and do things that would likely endanger your life.
2.You are prone to crimes: Drugs could push you to commit crimes like stealing, rape, murder etc.
3.Regret: Doing drugs brings a life of regret: you will definitely realize one day that you have done what you never intended to do, and when that happens your life would be filled with disappointments and regrets. For example, if you raped a girl or committed murder under the influence of drugs, you would live to regret your action for the rest of your life.
4.Adaptation problem: Becoming addicted to substances would make it difficult for you to adapt to normal way of life, as you are likely to depend on these substances in order to carry out normal daily activities such as sleeping, relaxing, toileting, digesting food etc.
5.Poverty: it is difficult to become rich when you do drugs, because you are going to spend a bulk of the money that you get on purchasing those drugs and substances. Since there is always a compulsion to take the substances, you are likely to spend a huge proportion of your earnings on substances, and in the long run you suffer poverty.
It took the effort of five able bodied policemen to bundle him into the waiting police van. He kicked and cursed as he was taken to the nearest hospital; he was actually bleeding profusely from the left brow and needed to be taken to the hospital fast. I followed the police van on a motor bike; I needed to see what happened at the hospital as the young man’s behaviour was completely strange to me.
On arrival at the hospital, another drama ensued: the patient refused to come down from the van. He held on to one of the poles by the side of the vehicle. The policemen tried all the tricks they knew to get him down from the vehicle, all to no avail. He eventually grew weaker and began to faint before they could get him into the emergency ward. He was given an anaesthesia before the doctor and nurses could stitch his wounds.
The following day I paid him a visit, only to meet a very sober person showing some signs of depression. He was completely disappointed at himself: he admitted he was under the influence of drugs. He realized that he would have died because of his stupid acts if not because of the police.
Why should you not do drugs?
You should never do drugs because if you do, you are likely to encounter one of these problems:
1.You are not in charge of your actions: Drugs would make you not be in charge of your senses and actions. You would lose your reasoning power and do things that would likely endanger your life.
2.You are prone to crimes: Drugs could push you to commit crimes like stealing, rape, murder etc.
3.Regret: Doing drugs brings a life of regret: you will definitely realize one day that you have done what you never intended to do, and when that happens your life would be filled with disappointments and regrets. For example, if you raped a girl or committed murder under the influence of drugs, you would live to regret your action for the rest of your life.
4.Adaptation problem: Becoming addicted to substances would make it difficult for you to adapt to normal way of life, as you are likely to depend on these substances in order to carry out normal daily activities such as sleeping, relaxing, toileting, digesting food etc.
5.Poverty: it is difficult to become rich when you do drugs, because you are going to spend a bulk of the money that you get on purchasing those drugs and substances. Since there is always a compulsion to take the substances, you are likely to spend a huge proportion of your earnings on substances, and in the long run you suffer poverty.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Alcoholism: 6 Ways To Prevent It
Alcoholism as a social menace can be prevented if its causes or contributory factors are understood, and the individual could actually be completely rehabilitated. The reason why its causes must be understood is to enable one know exactly where to channel one’s energy and resources while trying to deliver the alcoholic from his problems.
Some of the Steps to Take to Prevent Alcoholism Include:
1.Ban alcohol importation / production: One of the reasons there are a lot of alcoholics is because thy can easily get alcohol to purchase and get themselves drunk from time to time. This availability is either due to the fact that they are produced locally or imported into the country. If you must control alcoholism then you must restrict the local production or importation of alcohol.
2.Parents should watch their wards: Parents/guardians should keep an eye on their children or wards to be sure they do not indulge in alcoholism or associate with drunkards. They should also prevent their wards from attending parties or joining associations where alcoholic beverages are freely used. They should also encourage their children to be engaged in meaningful programmes or join voluntary organization e.g. Boys Scout, Girls guild, Debating Society, Drama groups etc. where they can utilize their spare time doing something meaningful.
3.Ban on teenage drinking: There should be a legislation banning teenage or under-age drinking. Allowing children and teenagers to use alcohol freely could make them become binge drinkers or alcoholics in their adulthood. The rate at which young people become alcoholics would be curtailed if adequate laws are enacted to prevent them from drinking.
4.Massive enlightenment campaign: There should be deliberate machinery put in place to enlighten people as to the side effects or the hazards associated with alcoholism. When the people are aware of the risk alcohol posses to their health they would control the rate at which they drink or stop drinking entirely.
5.Stop enticing adverts: Alcohol advertisement should be stopped because it has a way of enticing non-drinkers to start drinking. Enticing alcohol adverts have the ability to stir up the desire to drink in those who have never used alcohol before.
6.Research: Research into contributory environmental factors to alcoholism should be carried out with the sole purpose of identifying the factors that promote it, and getting rid of tem. Identifying and eliminating the contributory factors help to reduce the incidence of alcoholism.
When alcoholism is eliminated from society there would be less heinous crimes committed by the seconds worldwide and society would be a better place for all to live in. Alcohol usage is dangerous, therefore it should completely be avoided so we could all live a healthier life and also enjoy harmonious relationships with one another.
Some of the Steps to Take to Prevent Alcoholism Include:
1.Ban alcohol importation / production: One of the reasons there are a lot of alcoholics is because thy can easily get alcohol to purchase and get themselves drunk from time to time. This availability is either due to the fact that they are produced locally or imported into the country. If you must control alcoholism then you must restrict the local production or importation of alcohol.
2.Parents should watch their wards: Parents/guardians should keep an eye on their children or wards to be sure they do not indulge in alcoholism or associate with drunkards. They should also prevent their wards from attending parties or joining associations where alcoholic beverages are freely used. They should also encourage their children to be engaged in meaningful programmes or join voluntary organization e.g. Boys Scout, Girls guild, Debating Society, Drama groups etc. where they can utilize their spare time doing something meaningful.
3.Ban on teenage drinking: There should be a legislation banning teenage or under-age drinking. Allowing children and teenagers to use alcohol freely could make them become binge drinkers or alcoholics in their adulthood. The rate at which young people become alcoholics would be curtailed if adequate laws are enacted to prevent them from drinking.
4.Massive enlightenment campaign: There should be deliberate machinery put in place to enlighten people as to the side effects or the hazards associated with alcoholism. When the people are aware of the risk alcohol posses to their health they would control the rate at which they drink or stop drinking entirely.
5.Stop enticing adverts: Alcohol advertisement should be stopped because it has a way of enticing non-drinkers to start drinking. Enticing alcohol adverts have the ability to stir up the desire to drink in those who have never used alcohol before.
6.Research: Research into contributory environmental factors to alcoholism should be carried out with the sole purpose of identifying the factors that promote it, and getting rid of tem. Identifying and eliminating the contributory factors help to reduce the incidence of alcoholism.
When alcoholism is eliminated from society there would be less heinous crimes committed by the seconds worldwide and society would be a better place for all to live in. Alcohol usage is dangerous, therefore it should completely be avoided so we could all live a healthier life and also enjoy harmonious relationships with one another.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
5 Side Effects Of Drug Abuse
The indiscriminate use of drugs or drug abuse has its own side effects, and some of them are either due to wrong application, not following the necessary precaution or over applying the drugs. Some of the known side effects of drug abuse therefore include:
1.Over dosage: Though the patient has no tendency to increase the dosage of the drug in order to produce a desired effect, he may accidentally take more than the needed dose either because he does not understand what dose he should take or because he feels that the higher the dose he takes the faster the drug cures his condition. Some over dosage can produce mild symptoms while others can be fatal.
2.Under dosage: One other side effect of drug abuse is under dosage. The patient may want to take the drug in order to treat or cure his ailment but ends up applying a dose not enough to take care of the disease or the offending organism. What this means is that the disease may progress unchecked since the drug taken is not enough to hinder its progress, and at the end resources and time are wasted. Fatality may as well result if the rate of progression of the disease is rapid.
3.Drug resistance: One major problem of drug under dosage is that the organism which the individual seeks to destroy gets exposed to a low dose of the drug and eventually develops resistance to it so that even the use of a higher dose of the same drug in the future refuses to take care of the condition. This is the same reason why the treatment of malaria has become problematic as the plasmodium keeps developing resistance to new efficacious drugs due to under dosage. This in the long run ensures that a lot of people end up losing their lives to a condition that would have been cured by simple adherence to the right drug dosage.
4.Potentiating disease: Some micro-organisms are naturally harmless to humans even as they habit some parts of the human body. These organisms which are known as commensal organisms can become potentially pathogenic or cause diseases when their natural state is altered by the indiscriminate use of antibiotics especially for a long period of time. For this reason, antibiotics should not be abused or used without a doctor’s prescription.
5.Drug reaction: Some drugs are able to cause severe toxic reactions when taken without the supervision of a physician who should ensure that certain drugs are administered concurrently with them or prior to their administration to minimize their reactions. But with drug abuse these precautionary measures may not be taken before applying the drugs thereby increasing the chances of severe reactions. Some of the severe reactions are anaphylactic reaction, asthmatic attack, severe diarrhea, tinnitus, deafness, acute hypotensive reaction, wheal, vomiting, etc.
It is therefore advisable to seek the doctor’s advice before taking any drug no matter how intelligent one may be. Drug abuse is dangerous and could destroy your life. Therefore, you must avoid it and don’t joke with your life as any mistake made on your life may prove irreversible or disastrous.
1.Over dosage: Though the patient has no tendency to increase the dosage of the drug in order to produce a desired effect, he may accidentally take more than the needed dose either because he does not understand what dose he should take or because he feels that the higher the dose he takes the faster the drug cures his condition. Some over dosage can produce mild symptoms while others can be fatal.
2.Under dosage: One other side effect of drug abuse is under dosage. The patient may want to take the drug in order to treat or cure his ailment but ends up applying a dose not enough to take care of the disease or the offending organism. What this means is that the disease may progress unchecked since the drug taken is not enough to hinder its progress, and at the end resources and time are wasted. Fatality may as well result if the rate of progression of the disease is rapid.
3.Drug resistance: One major problem of drug under dosage is that the organism which the individual seeks to destroy gets exposed to a low dose of the drug and eventually develops resistance to it so that even the use of a higher dose of the same drug in the future refuses to take care of the condition. This is the same reason why the treatment of malaria has become problematic as the plasmodium keeps developing resistance to new efficacious drugs due to under dosage. This in the long run ensures that a lot of people end up losing their lives to a condition that would have been cured by simple adherence to the right drug dosage.
4.Potentiating disease: Some micro-organisms are naturally harmless to humans even as they habit some parts of the human body. These organisms which are known as commensal organisms can become potentially pathogenic or cause diseases when their natural state is altered by the indiscriminate use of antibiotics especially for a long period of time. For this reason, antibiotics should not be abused or used without a doctor’s prescription.
5.Drug reaction: Some drugs are able to cause severe toxic reactions when taken without the supervision of a physician who should ensure that certain drugs are administered concurrently with them or prior to their administration to minimize their reactions. But with drug abuse these precautionary measures may not be taken before applying the drugs thereby increasing the chances of severe reactions. Some of the severe reactions are anaphylactic reaction, asthmatic attack, severe diarrhea, tinnitus, deafness, acute hypotensive reaction, wheal, vomiting, etc.
It is therefore advisable to seek the doctor’s advice before taking any drug no matter how intelligent one may be. Drug abuse is dangerous and could destroy your life. Therefore, you must avoid it and don’t joke with your life as any mistake made on your life may prove irreversible or disastrous.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Suicide; Why Do People Choose It?
A young boy of about 17 years had a minor disagreement with his parents and the following morning his lifeless body was found dangling from a cord tied to the ceiling fan in his room. A suicide note was neatly tucked under his pillow and read in part “I decided to end it all and have peace since you never believe in me and would not allow me have peace…”
But what is suicide?
Suicide is the act of killing oneself, or the act of taking one’s own life. Terrible! Isn’t it? But what could make a teenager contemplate it at such a tender and promising age? Several factors actually contribute to one using suicide as a way of solving one’s problem or as a way of trying to escape from them. Some of these contributory factors include:
1.Rejection: Some people, having suffered from rejection either from parents or from friends see suicide as a way of ending it all. Most people who use this method of trying to escape from the problem of rejection are people who are from broken homes, whose parents went their own ways leaving them in the care of either their grand parents or their aunts/uncles. They eventually feel completely rejected by their parents and decide to end their lives.
2.Shame: This is one of the greatest reasons for suicide. Having been involved in an act that is so shameful e.g. stealing, adultery, etc some people decide to end their lives since they cannot stand the shame such act has brought. Others could be as a result of some shameful health problem such as epilepsy, or even sexual failure/impotence.
3.Failure: Failure in marriage, academics, business, dating, landing a job, etc could make one conclude he can never succeed in life and instead of living a life devoid of success the best option they conclude, is to take their life.
4.Hard drugs: drugs are capable of causing a distortion in the individual’s reasoning process, making him do what ordinarily he would never contemplate. An individual who is under the influence of drug is capable of doing any unreasonable and unthinkable thing including suicide. Suicide is contemplated when provoked while under the influence of the drug, or as a result of frustration due to failure or inability to obtain the drug at a particular time.
5.Terminal disease: Living in pain due to a terminal disease could be so traumatizing, and fed up with their emotional, psychological or mental pain, some decide to suffer no more by taking the option of suicide as a way of stopping further pains. Some of the terminal conditions that can make one think of suicide include Liver cirrhosis, aplastic anaemia, cancer of the bowel, cancer of the lungs, leukemia, sickle cell disease, HIV/AIDS, etc.
6.Psychiatric illness: Suicide is very common in people suffering from one form of psychiatric illness or the other. Notable among such psychiatric illnesses are Depression, Schizophrenia, etc
7.Loss of fortune: Loss of estate, business, dear one, personal property, etc can also make one think of ending one’s life due to frustration or loss of hope of ever regaining what has been lost.
8.Poverty: Poverty/Penury is one thing nobody ever wishes to experience – one is unable to afford three quality meals daily, unable to properly clothe oneself and one’s family, unable to pay children’s school fees, can’t afford decent accommodation, and sometimes one is victimized or oppressed. Passing through harrowing experiences for a long time could make one think of a way of ending everything.
9.Discrimination: Discrimination of whatever type could bring emotional and psychological stress which could eventually culminate in suicide.
However, it should be noted that suicide does not actually solve a problem; it is rather the cowardly way of trying to escape from it. The best way to solve a problem is to face it squarely and deal with it. The word of God makes it clear that murderers shall go to hell fire (Matt.5:21-22, Exodus 20:13, Deut.5:17). Suicide is murdering oneself and when one takes that option he invariably takes the option to go to hell fire. Avoid it for it does you no good.
But what is suicide?
Suicide is the act of killing oneself, or the act of taking one’s own life. Terrible! Isn’t it? But what could make a teenager contemplate it at such a tender and promising age? Several factors actually contribute to one using suicide as a way of solving one’s problem or as a way of trying to escape from them. Some of these contributory factors include:
1.Rejection: Some people, having suffered from rejection either from parents or from friends see suicide as a way of ending it all. Most people who use this method of trying to escape from the problem of rejection are people who are from broken homes, whose parents went their own ways leaving them in the care of either their grand parents or their aunts/uncles. They eventually feel completely rejected by their parents and decide to end their lives.
2.Shame: This is one of the greatest reasons for suicide. Having been involved in an act that is so shameful e.g. stealing, adultery, etc some people decide to end their lives since they cannot stand the shame such act has brought. Others could be as a result of some shameful health problem such as epilepsy, or even sexual failure/impotence.
3.Failure: Failure in marriage, academics, business, dating, landing a job, etc could make one conclude he can never succeed in life and instead of living a life devoid of success the best option they conclude, is to take their life.
4.Hard drugs: drugs are capable of causing a distortion in the individual’s reasoning process, making him do what ordinarily he would never contemplate. An individual who is under the influence of drug is capable of doing any unreasonable and unthinkable thing including suicide. Suicide is contemplated when provoked while under the influence of the drug, or as a result of frustration due to failure or inability to obtain the drug at a particular time.
5.Terminal disease: Living in pain due to a terminal disease could be so traumatizing, and fed up with their emotional, psychological or mental pain, some decide to suffer no more by taking the option of suicide as a way of stopping further pains. Some of the terminal conditions that can make one think of suicide include Liver cirrhosis, aplastic anaemia, cancer of the bowel, cancer of the lungs, leukemia, sickle cell disease, HIV/AIDS, etc.
6.Psychiatric illness: Suicide is very common in people suffering from one form of psychiatric illness or the other. Notable among such psychiatric illnesses are Depression, Schizophrenia, etc
7.Loss of fortune: Loss of estate, business, dear one, personal property, etc can also make one think of ending one’s life due to frustration or loss of hope of ever regaining what has been lost.
8.Poverty: Poverty/Penury is one thing nobody ever wishes to experience – one is unable to afford three quality meals daily, unable to properly clothe oneself and one’s family, unable to pay children’s school fees, can’t afford decent accommodation, and sometimes one is victimized or oppressed. Passing through harrowing experiences for a long time could make one think of a way of ending everything.
9.Discrimination: Discrimination of whatever type could bring emotional and psychological stress which could eventually culminate in suicide.
However, it should be noted that suicide does not actually solve a problem; it is rather the cowardly way of trying to escape from it. The best way to solve a problem is to face it squarely and deal with it. The word of God makes it clear that murderers shall go to hell fire (Matt.5:21-22, Exodus 20:13, Deut.5:17). Suicide is murdering oneself and when one takes that option he invariably takes the option to go to hell fire. Avoid it for it does you no good.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Criminal Record; What Is It?
Every second a crime is being committed somewhere in the world and every second too somebody gets convicted for one form of crime or the other. The rate or frequency with which this occurs varies from country to country. Some countries are relatively calm and quiet while some others are volatile and prone to crimes.
Criminal record therefore, is the record of a person’s criminal history. This record may be of crimes committed recently or in the distant past. It does not matter whether the records are old or new, what is important is that there is a record kept in the database or archive of the state or country which can be referred to should there be any need. Meaning that the criminal history of an individual can easily be researched at any time it is needed by individuals, institutions, state or the nation.
Why keep criminal records?
Keeping a criminal record enables the state to understand or keep a track record of past criminal behaviours of individuals, whether they have at any time in the past be convicted of any crime, and also to be able to predict their tendency to commit more crimes in the future. This also enables the state or judiciary to determine or differentiate a habitual criminal from one who has just committed a crime for the first time, and know how to plead on their behalf when arraigned before the court of law.
Furthermore, keeping a criminal record ensures that criminals are not appointed into sensitive public positions such as the office of the finance minister, Accountant General, minister of defence, or other positions that require trust and probity. Employers also use this record to recruit men of proven character for their companies; they are saved the pain of employing people with questionable character and those that cannot be trusted with confidential records/files or public funds.
Criminal record also helps to prevent ex-convicts from contesting elections and be voted into public offices. In several countries ex-convicts are not allowed to contest in an election; so having criminal records will enable the state or political parties to filter out those who have dented records.
It also helps reduce the rate of crime. When people know that whatever crime they commit would dent their image and prevent them from enjoying certain privileges they will do everything humanly possible to abstain from crimes. This invariably brings to the barest minimum the rate at which crimes are being committed.
Sources of criminal records
Criminal records can be gotten from the following sources: The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB), the federal bureau of prisons, family watch, court records, police records, Nationwide Criminal Records website, Public record Finder, Integra scan, Criminal Records search engines, Neighbourhood Watch (criminal searches), free public information, etc.
Though some states’ laws require you inform the person involved before carrying out a background check on him, some others make it easier by passing laws that allow access to sources of information concerning individuals’ criminal records. The laws of the state or country must be respected when you want to run a criminal record check on an individual.
It should be noted that not all crimes committed by an individual and entered into records are capable of preventing such persons from seeking public positions or being employed by reputable companies (e.g. misdemeanour). However, the following crimes can make it very difficult or impossible to seek positions of public trust – Sex offenses (e.g. Rape), theft, burglary, murder, fraud/embezzlement, serious traffic crimes, armed robbery, impersonation, forgery, tax evasion/tax dodge, assassination, arson, drug trafficking, gun running, hijack, kidnapping, carjacking, treason, assault and battery, etc
When next you are tempted to commit a crime remember there’s criminal record and that yielding to such temptation may dent your reputation for life. Run away from crimes and enjoy life and freedom to the fullest.
Criminal record therefore, is the record of a person’s criminal history. This record may be of crimes committed recently or in the distant past. It does not matter whether the records are old or new, what is important is that there is a record kept in the database or archive of the state or country which can be referred to should there be any need. Meaning that the criminal history of an individual can easily be researched at any time it is needed by individuals, institutions, state or the nation.
Why keep criminal records?
Keeping a criminal record enables the state to understand or keep a track record of past criminal behaviours of individuals, whether they have at any time in the past be convicted of any crime, and also to be able to predict their tendency to commit more crimes in the future. This also enables the state or judiciary to determine or differentiate a habitual criminal from one who has just committed a crime for the first time, and know how to plead on their behalf when arraigned before the court of law.
Furthermore, keeping a criminal record ensures that criminals are not appointed into sensitive public positions such as the office of the finance minister, Accountant General, minister of defence, or other positions that require trust and probity. Employers also use this record to recruit men of proven character for their companies; they are saved the pain of employing people with questionable character and those that cannot be trusted with confidential records/files or public funds.
Criminal record also helps to prevent ex-convicts from contesting elections and be voted into public offices. In several countries ex-convicts are not allowed to contest in an election; so having criminal records will enable the state or political parties to filter out those who have dented records.
It also helps reduce the rate of crime. When people know that whatever crime they commit would dent their image and prevent them from enjoying certain privileges they will do everything humanly possible to abstain from crimes. This invariably brings to the barest minimum the rate at which crimes are being committed.
Sources of criminal records
Criminal records can be gotten from the following sources: The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB), the federal bureau of prisons, family watch, court records, police records, Nationwide Criminal Records website, Public record Finder, Integra scan, Criminal Records search engines, Neighbourhood Watch (criminal searches), free public information, etc.
Though some states’ laws require you inform the person involved before carrying out a background check on him, some others make it easier by passing laws that allow access to sources of information concerning individuals’ criminal records. The laws of the state or country must be respected when you want to run a criminal record check on an individual.
It should be noted that not all crimes committed by an individual and entered into records are capable of preventing such persons from seeking public positions or being employed by reputable companies (e.g. misdemeanour). However, the following crimes can make it very difficult or impossible to seek positions of public trust – Sex offenses (e.g. Rape), theft, burglary, murder, fraud/embezzlement, serious traffic crimes, armed robbery, impersonation, forgery, tax evasion/tax dodge, assassination, arson, drug trafficking, gun running, hijack, kidnapping, carjacking, treason, assault and battery, etc
When next you are tempted to commit a crime remember there’s criminal record and that yielding to such temptation may dent your reputation for life. Run away from crimes and enjoy life and freedom to the fullest.
Monday, April 19, 2010
How To Succeed In Your Career
Success is sweet and everyone wants to succeed in his/her chosen career; but success does not just come on a platter of gold, it has to be worked out. Getting to your desired goal or destination in life depends on how you map out your journey and how well you stay focused to see that your goals are achieved.
Success, they say, has many parents but failure is an orphan. Therefore, no one wants to be a failure and live in isolation or be intentionally segregated by friends and family. Having made up your mind to succeed there are steps you must take to achieve your desired goals irrespective of the area of life you choose to follow. There are no areas that are entirely bad; what is needed on your part is the determination or the zeal to be the best of what you want to be. The following steps should be judiciously followed if you are to make it in your Endeavours.
1.Acknowledge your weakness: The first step to success is to acknowledge your areas of weakness and your areas of strength. In other words, you should know the areas where you are not good and you are aware that toeing such path would lead you to failure. Also know your areas of comparative advantage. What edge do you have over your peers, friends or competitors? Where are you doing better, maybe in your academics, crafts, or talents? Find out things you do easily and very well without struggling.
2.Determine to succeed: Determination is one of the greatest ingredients to success. You may have an area of comparative advantage, or you may not even know where you have an edge but determination to make it in whatever sphere you have chosen can propel you toward success. If you have all the other ingredients but lack determination, any slight distraction or challenge can make you loose your steam and drop out.
3.Stay focused: Once you have made up your mind on the direction you want to go, you must maintain your focus and never drift from one plan to another. If you allow people to persuade you to leave your chosen career you may never make it and sometimes you end up in a place where you will never be happy because you are convinced that you are in the wrong place. Once you make up your mind resist all influences – peer pressure, or parental indoctrination and move ahead in your line of conviction.
4.Make research: Find out if there are prospects in your chosen area e.g. if you decide to work in a particular company and develop your career there, what prospects have you to develop your career further? What are the possibilities of rising in your position in the next few years? Would your impact ever be felt? Do you have the possibility of making any input as far as the decision making process is concerned? If there are no such possibilities look for a place where you can advance to a higher level in the future. Also find out if the kind of profession you wish to go into has any societal value or recognition. Don’t just study any course for the purpose of acquiring a university degree, but think of what impact you can create in the society with your degree. Think of taking professional courses such as Engineering, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Accountancy, ICT, etc. The other areas you could also think of are theater arts, music, fine arts, sports, etc. While you do your research find out areas you can easily establish on your own with little resources should there be no job or loans from banks. You should develop a career that makes you less dependent on people, government or companies before you can make a headway in life.
5.Associate with successful people: Make friends with people who have succeeded in the same profession you wish to go into or similar professions. Find out what they did right to come out with such great success. Even associate with those who have made it in business or managerial positions. Success does not come in isolation; it comes most times by influence. When you tap from their knowledge you add it to your resources and you come up with something tangible and worthwhile.
6.Take action: When you have gathered all necessary information the next thing you should do is take action. Information without action is useless; it is like a piece of computer with the latest software but is never powered for people to make use of. It is your action that co-ordinates all the information for a purposeful achievement. Make up your mind and take a bold step toward bringing your dreams to reality. Unless you move into action your dreams remain within you and would never materialize for the world to see.
7.Take stock: Having taken action and you have moved in the direction you dreamed of, take time to take stock. Find out if you are achieving your dreams. Find out if you are at the place you hoped to be at a particular time in life. Check your results; find out areas where you need to improve; check what principles had worked for you and the ones that never worked.
8.Repeat your success: When you determine the principles that gave you positive results repeat them over and over again. Discard the useless ones and build more on the ones that would keep bringing positive results for you. You discover that each time you set targets using the same working methods you will always achieve your desired goals and dreams.
Success, they say, has many parents but failure is an orphan. Therefore, no one wants to be a failure and live in isolation or be intentionally segregated by friends and family. Having made up your mind to succeed there are steps you must take to achieve your desired goals irrespective of the area of life you choose to follow. There are no areas that are entirely bad; what is needed on your part is the determination or the zeal to be the best of what you want to be. The following steps should be judiciously followed if you are to make it in your Endeavours.
1.Acknowledge your weakness: The first step to success is to acknowledge your areas of weakness and your areas of strength. In other words, you should know the areas where you are not good and you are aware that toeing such path would lead you to failure. Also know your areas of comparative advantage. What edge do you have over your peers, friends or competitors? Where are you doing better, maybe in your academics, crafts, or talents? Find out things you do easily and very well without struggling.
2.Determine to succeed: Determination is one of the greatest ingredients to success. You may have an area of comparative advantage, or you may not even know where you have an edge but determination to make it in whatever sphere you have chosen can propel you toward success. If you have all the other ingredients but lack determination, any slight distraction or challenge can make you loose your steam and drop out.
3.Stay focused: Once you have made up your mind on the direction you want to go, you must maintain your focus and never drift from one plan to another. If you allow people to persuade you to leave your chosen career you may never make it and sometimes you end up in a place where you will never be happy because you are convinced that you are in the wrong place. Once you make up your mind resist all influences – peer pressure, or parental indoctrination and move ahead in your line of conviction.
4.Make research: Find out if there are prospects in your chosen area e.g. if you decide to work in a particular company and develop your career there, what prospects have you to develop your career further? What are the possibilities of rising in your position in the next few years? Would your impact ever be felt? Do you have the possibility of making any input as far as the decision making process is concerned? If there are no such possibilities look for a place where you can advance to a higher level in the future. Also find out if the kind of profession you wish to go into has any societal value or recognition. Don’t just study any course for the purpose of acquiring a university degree, but think of what impact you can create in the society with your degree. Think of taking professional courses such as Engineering, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Accountancy, ICT, etc. The other areas you could also think of are theater arts, music, fine arts, sports, etc. While you do your research find out areas you can easily establish on your own with little resources should there be no job or loans from banks. You should develop a career that makes you less dependent on people, government or companies before you can make a headway in life.
5.Associate with successful people: Make friends with people who have succeeded in the same profession you wish to go into or similar professions. Find out what they did right to come out with such great success. Even associate with those who have made it in business or managerial positions. Success does not come in isolation; it comes most times by influence. When you tap from their knowledge you add it to your resources and you come up with something tangible and worthwhile.
6.Take action: When you have gathered all necessary information the next thing you should do is take action. Information without action is useless; it is like a piece of computer with the latest software but is never powered for people to make use of. It is your action that co-ordinates all the information for a purposeful achievement. Make up your mind and take a bold step toward bringing your dreams to reality. Unless you move into action your dreams remain within you and would never materialize for the world to see.
7.Take stock: Having taken action and you have moved in the direction you dreamed of, take time to take stock. Find out if you are achieving your dreams. Find out if you are at the place you hoped to be at a particular time in life. Check your results; find out areas where you need to improve; check what principles had worked for you and the ones that never worked.
8.Repeat your success: When you determine the principles that gave you positive results repeat them over and over again. Discard the useless ones and build more on the ones that would keep bringing positive results for you. You discover that each time you set targets using the same working methods you will always achieve your desired goals and dreams.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Drug Abuse And Drug Dependence: The Differences
Drug use has certain terms which have been mistaken by so many people to mean the same thing. The truth of it is that they are not the same and there are features that set them completely apart. These features when fully understood enable us to distinguish between the terms.
Drug Abuse: This is the inappropriate use of a drug, other than the legitimate medical purpose especially the psychoactive ones. Simply put, it is the use of drugs without a doctor’s prescription. So many drugs can easily be abused because of easy access to them, especially ‘over the counter’ drugs. For example, when one walks into a patent medicine store demanding for tab paracetamol or an antibiotic capsule, tablet, injection, syrup or pessary without a written prescription from the physician and without full knowledge of the dosage, side effects, contraindications, drug interactions, indications, etc of the drug he is requesting for, he is practising drug abuse. Even though he understands the dosage but as far as these drugs are not prescribed by a medical doctor he is abusing them. Drugs that are commonly abused include pain killers, anti-pyretics, anti-inflammatory, topical drugs, eye drops, suppositories, aerosols, etc.
Drug Dependence: it is a state of periodic or persistent intoxication, detrimental to the individual, to society or both. Drug dependence is characterized by the following:
1.A strong desire, drive, need or compulsion to continue the use of the drug.
2.Physical and emotional dependence on the drug.
3.The development of tolerance and as such the tendency to increase the dosage in order to produce a desired effect.
4.There is withdrawal syndrome when the drug is stopped.
These afore-mentioned characteristics differentiate drug dependence from drug abuse as in drug abuse there is no strong desire, drive or compulsion to continue the drug; the drugs are only taken for the purpose of curing an ailment though may sometimes be wrongly applied.
Some of the drugs of dependence include Narcotics, opiates such as morphine, heroin; amphetamines, cannabis sativa (Marihuana, hashish), cocaine, volatile substances such as premium motor spirit (petrol), tube parching fluids, etc. These drugs have the capacity to alter the individuals’ psychosocial pattern of life and make them detrimental to themselves as well as to the society at large. They affect negatively the individual’s thought process and make them commit crimes they would naturally not commit – Rape, robbery, murder, suicide, etc.
Drug Abuse: This is the inappropriate use of a drug, other than the legitimate medical purpose especially the psychoactive ones. Simply put, it is the use of drugs without a doctor’s prescription. So many drugs can easily be abused because of easy access to them, especially ‘over the counter’ drugs. For example, when one walks into a patent medicine store demanding for tab paracetamol or an antibiotic capsule, tablet, injection, syrup or pessary without a written prescription from the physician and without full knowledge of the dosage, side effects, contraindications, drug interactions, indications, etc of the drug he is requesting for, he is practising drug abuse. Even though he understands the dosage but as far as these drugs are not prescribed by a medical doctor he is abusing them. Drugs that are commonly abused include pain killers, anti-pyretics, anti-inflammatory, topical drugs, eye drops, suppositories, aerosols, etc.
Drug Dependence: it is a state of periodic or persistent intoxication, detrimental to the individual, to society or both. Drug dependence is characterized by the following:
1.A strong desire, drive, need or compulsion to continue the use of the drug.
2.Physical and emotional dependence on the drug.
3.The development of tolerance and as such the tendency to increase the dosage in order to produce a desired effect.
4.There is withdrawal syndrome when the drug is stopped.
These afore-mentioned characteristics differentiate drug dependence from drug abuse as in drug abuse there is no strong desire, drive or compulsion to continue the drug; the drugs are only taken for the purpose of curing an ailment though may sometimes be wrongly applied.
Some of the drugs of dependence include Narcotics, opiates such as morphine, heroin; amphetamines, cannabis sativa (Marihuana, hashish), cocaine, volatile substances such as premium motor spirit (petrol), tube parching fluids, etc. These drugs have the capacity to alter the individuals’ psychosocial pattern of life and make them detrimental to themselves as well as to the society at large. They affect negatively the individual’s thought process and make them commit crimes they would naturally not commit – Rape, robbery, murder, suicide, etc.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
What Are The Known Causes Of Alcoholism?
The actual causes of alcoholism are unknown, but there are factors which contribute to one becoming an alcoholic. Some of the contributory factors to it are:
1.Occupation: Those who work in alcohol factories or those whose parents brew alcohol are more likely to be influenced in the long run to taste the drink and eventually succumb to its overwhelming effect and become addicted to its use.
2.Heredity: Alcoholism is known to run in families as about 45% of alcoholics are children whose parents had had alcoholism problems. This is more likely to be an act of imitation rather than genetic problem.
3.Childhood deprivation: One who had as a child suffered deprivation due to marital disharmony or divorce of the parents is likely to become an alcoholic when he grows into adulthood.
4.Psychological factor: some people turn to alcohol during periods of stress, frustration e.g. as a result of failure in an exam, loss of dear one, marital breakup, loss of personal property, etc as a way of trying to overcome the stress or depression.
5.Socio-Cultural: Alcohol use is commoner in some cultural set up e.g. among the Irish and Russians. I do not mean to spite any particular people, but it is a known fact that alcohol intake among these people is relatively high.
6.Sex: Alcohol intake is higher amongst men than in women. This may not be purely due to constitutional differences but as a result of environmental factor, and it may also be related to cultural values as well; though these days women are competing as far as the use of alcoholic beverages is concerned.
7.Psychiatric causes: Alcohol intake also increases during periods of anxiety in youths, depression in middle age and loneliness in old age.
8.Spiritual causes: It is also believed in some cultures and religions that the influence of witchcraft, spell, curses, demonic manipulations, etc could make one become an alcoholic or indulge in alcoholism as the case may be. This belief is very strong in the African continent and explains why spiritual help are sought when other sources fail to help the patient.
1.Occupation: Those who work in alcohol factories or those whose parents brew alcohol are more likely to be influenced in the long run to taste the drink and eventually succumb to its overwhelming effect and become addicted to its use.
2.Heredity: Alcoholism is known to run in families as about 45% of alcoholics are children whose parents had had alcoholism problems. This is more likely to be an act of imitation rather than genetic problem.
3.Childhood deprivation: One who had as a child suffered deprivation due to marital disharmony or divorce of the parents is likely to become an alcoholic when he grows into adulthood.
4.Psychological factor: some people turn to alcohol during periods of stress, frustration e.g. as a result of failure in an exam, loss of dear one, marital breakup, loss of personal property, etc as a way of trying to overcome the stress or depression.
5.Socio-Cultural: Alcohol use is commoner in some cultural set up e.g. among the Irish and Russians. I do not mean to spite any particular people, but it is a known fact that alcohol intake among these people is relatively high.
6.Sex: Alcohol intake is higher amongst men than in women. This may not be purely due to constitutional differences but as a result of environmental factor, and it may also be related to cultural values as well; though these days women are competing as far as the use of alcoholic beverages is concerned.
7.Psychiatric causes: Alcohol intake also increases during periods of anxiety in youths, depression in middle age and loneliness in old age.
8.Spiritual causes: It is also believed in some cultures and religions that the influence of witchcraft, spell, curses, demonic manipulations, etc could make one become an alcoholic or indulge in alcoholism as the case may be. This belief is very strong in the African continent and explains why spiritual help are sought when other sources fail to help the patient.
Ways We Can Help Rehabilitate An Alcoholic
There are different ways we can help an alcoholic to get rid of alcoholism or excessive drinking. Left alone, he is helpless, hooked on alcohol and does not know what to do to help himself; but with our concern, sympathy and intervention we could really do much to deliver such a one from heavy drinking and possibly from the complications that could come with it by referring him/her to the appropriate source of help.
Some of the sources of help include:
1.Medical help: We can do much to seek help for the sufferer by referring him/her to see the doctor who can give some of the under-listed drugs:
a.Apomorphine: This drug acts by causing persistent and repeated nausea and vomiting in the patient. The drug makes the alcoholic to develop a strong dislike for alcohol; so the drug causes a conditional aversion or repugnancy for alcohol. Note that this is usually prescribed by the doctor and the doctor also carries out some physical examination on the patient before commencing treatment. So you must reserve the administration of this drug for the medical doctor.
b.Antabuse: Antabuse acts by interfering with alcohol breakdown in the body. This makes the toxic substance of alcohol (Acetaldehyde) to accumulate in the blood stream thereby giving rise to unpleasant side effects such as headache, flushing of the face, nausea, vomiting, increase in pulse rate, drowsiness, cyanosis, dyspnoea, hypotension, etc. This eventually makes the patient hate to take alcohol.
2.Psychotherapy: We could also help the sufferer by referring him to the psychologist who can help him with psychological treatment, using his professional skills to try to persuade the patient to stop taking alcohol. Occupational therapy or other forms of treatment may also be employed.
3.Alcoholic Anonymous Association: This involves introducing the patient to the Association where he can get tangible help from people who had suffered from alcoholism and have recovered from it. They would teach him how best to go about setting himself free from the power of alcoholism. This association can really equip him with a lot of resources that could help him.
4.Admission into Alcoholic Clinic: The patient may need to be admitted into an alcoholic clinic for proper monitoring by the health team. While prescribed drugs are administered, the nurses may also do much to cater for his physical needs, ensure adequate diet and fluid intake, and help with his personal hygiene as he may not be able to do so as a result of the side effects of some of the drugs he might be placed on.
5.Spiritual help: As alcoholism has been attributed to spiritual causes so it is curable through spiritual intervention. I have actually seen a lot of people recover from alcoholism through prayers made for them by pastors. So we can help seek for a pastor gifted in this area to deliver the patient in the name of Jesus Christ. The name of Jesus Christ has the power to set people free from all kinds of spiritual bondage.
Some of the sources of help include:
1.Medical help: We can do much to seek help for the sufferer by referring him/her to see the doctor who can give some of the under-listed drugs:
a.Apomorphine: This drug acts by causing persistent and repeated nausea and vomiting in the patient. The drug makes the alcoholic to develop a strong dislike for alcohol; so the drug causes a conditional aversion or repugnancy for alcohol. Note that this is usually prescribed by the doctor and the doctor also carries out some physical examination on the patient before commencing treatment. So you must reserve the administration of this drug for the medical doctor.
b.Antabuse: Antabuse acts by interfering with alcohol breakdown in the body. This makes the toxic substance of alcohol (Acetaldehyde) to accumulate in the blood stream thereby giving rise to unpleasant side effects such as headache, flushing of the face, nausea, vomiting, increase in pulse rate, drowsiness, cyanosis, dyspnoea, hypotension, etc. This eventually makes the patient hate to take alcohol.
2.Psychotherapy: We could also help the sufferer by referring him to the psychologist who can help him with psychological treatment, using his professional skills to try to persuade the patient to stop taking alcohol. Occupational therapy or other forms of treatment may also be employed.
3.Alcoholic Anonymous Association: This involves introducing the patient to the Association where he can get tangible help from people who had suffered from alcoholism and have recovered from it. They would teach him how best to go about setting himself free from the power of alcoholism. This association can really equip him with a lot of resources that could help him.
4.Admission into Alcoholic Clinic: The patient may need to be admitted into an alcoholic clinic for proper monitoring by the health team. While prescribed drugs are administered, the nurses may also do much to cater for his physical needs, ensure adequate diet and fluid intake, and help with his personal hygiene as he may not be able to do so as a result of the side effects of some of the drugs he might be placed on.
5.Spiritual help: As alcoholism has been attributed to spiritual causes so it is curable through spiritual intervention. I have actually seen a lot of people recover from alcoholism through prayers made for them by pastors. So we can help seek for a pastor gifted in this area to deliver the patient in the name of Jesus Christ. The name of Jesus Christ has the power to set people free from all kinds of spiritual bondage.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Alcohol, Alcoholic, Alcoholism; How Related Are They?
The words alcohol, alcoholic and alcoholism may sound the same way but they mean different things though they are closely related and interwoven. The definition of each of the words and other related terms would give us a clearer understanding of what they are.
An alcohol: This is the intoxicating part of any drink fermented from sugar. It is also defined as drinks that can make people drunk; this include beer, wine, whisky, etc. It is also the volatile liquid distilled from fermented saccharine liquids and which forms the basis of all wines and spirits.
An alcoholic: This is a person addicted to the use of alcoholic beverages in excess. Simply put, it’s a person addicted to excessive, uncontrolled consumption of alcohol. The person involved has become used to drinking alcohol in large quantity, drinks regularly and finds it difficult to stop it. Trying to stop its use abruptly could lead to some illnesses.
Alcoholism: A state of poisoning which arises from excessive alcohol consumption. It is a medical condition which arises as a result of regular consumption of alcohol in high quantity.
Drunkard: A person who gives in to excessive alcohol intake. This term has now been replaced with ‘alcoholic’.
Hangover: It is the body’s reaction to excessive alcohol taken the previous day or over a short period of time. The signs and symptoms of hangover include headache, nausea, vomiting, abdominal spasm, tremor, etc and they usually start 8-12 hours after the consumption of high quantity of alcohol.
The alcohol content of some of the drinks are as follows: Ethanol (ethyl alcohol) =95%, Whisky =40%, Wine = 10-14% and local beer =3.5- 5%.
An alcohol: This is the intoxicating part of any drink fermented from sugar. It is also defined as drinks that can make people drunk; this include beer, wine, whisky, etc. It is also the volatile liquid distilled from fermented saccharine liquids and which forms the basis of all wines and spirits.
An alcoholic: This is a person addicted to the use of alcoholic beverages in excess. Simply put, it’s a person addicted to excessive, uncontrolled consumption of alcohol. The person involved has become used to drinking alcohol in large quantity, drinks regularly and finds it difficult to stop it. Trying to stop its use abruptly could lead to some illnesses.
Alcoholism: A state of poisoning which arises from excessive alcohol consumption. It is a medical condition which arises as a result of regular consumption of alcohol in high quantity.
Drunkard: A person who gives in to excessive alcohol intake. This term has now been replaced with ‘alcoholic’.
Hangover: It is the body’s reaction to excessive alcohol taken the previous day or over a short period of time. The signs and symptoms of hangover include headache, nausea, vomiting, abdominal spasm, tremor, etc and they usually start 8-12 hours after the consumption of high quantity of alcohol.
The alcohol content of some of the drinks are as follows: Ethanol (ethyl alcohol) =95%, Whisky =40%, Wine = 10-14% and local beer =3.5- 5%.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Social and mental Effects of Alcohol
There are social and mental effects associated with the use of alcohol. Some of these effects include but are not limited to the under-listed:
Social effects
Social effects are connected with the way the individual’s interactions with the society are affected.
1.Body odour: Alcohol odour can be disgusting; those who depend on alcohol reek of its smell and so may find it difficult to socialize with friends and they are likely to be avoided.
2.Absenteeism from work: Alcoholism is associated with absenteeism from job or normal duties, as it makes the individual think less of his/her social responsibilities. Alcoholics lose their jobs often because of habitual lateness to work or complete absence from duty posts from time to time.
3.Crime: Crime is most times associated with alcohol. Crimes such as Rape, automobile accidents, murder, traffic offences, theft, etc are most times committed under the influence of alcohol, because of its ability to make one lose self-control.
4.Poor hygiene: Alcoholism also results in neglect of personal hygiene – poor dental care, leaving hair unkempt, dirty clothes, etc thereby making the individual prone to diseases.
5.Marital breakdown: Marital problems such as assault, wife battery, child abuse, etc are majority of times due to effect of alcohol. The end product of such conflicts is divorce, child neglect and wife neglect.
Mental effects
Some of the mental effects of alcohol use include:
1.Memory defect: The person suffers from memory defect and would most times confabulate (produce fictitious memories, and relate experiences that are untrue to fill the gaps in memory loss). This gets worse with time if he does not stop alcohol. He may also suffer from nightmares.
2.Apprehension: He can become unconditionally fearful and restless.
3.Impulsiveness: The person becomes impulsive and acts rashly even when there is no need to do so. He may also have incoherence of speech which people find difficult to understand.
4.Hallucination: This is a false perception in which he believes he sees, hears, smells, tastes, or feels an object or person whereas in actual sense there is no evidence to justify his claims. The person may also feel some crawling sensations over the skin.
Social effects
Social effects are connected with the way the individual’s interactions with the society are affected.
1.Body odour: Alcohol odour can be disgusting; those who depend on alcohol reek of its smell and so may find it difficult to socialize with friends and they are likely to be avoided.
2.Absenteeism from work: Alcoholism is associated with absenteeism from job or normal duties, as it makes the individual think less of his/her social responsibilities. Alcoholics lose their jobs often because of habitual lateness to work or complete absence from duty posts from time to time.
3.Crime: Crime is most times associated with alcohol. Crimes such as Rape, automobile accidents, murder, traffic offences, theft, etc are most times committed under the influence of alcohol, because of its ability to make one lose self-control.
4.Poor hygiene: Alcoholism also results in neglect of personal hygiene – poor dental care, leaving hair unkempt, dirty clothes, etc thereby making the individual prone to diseases.
5.Marital breakdown: Marital problems such as assault, wife battery, child abuse, etc are majority of times due to effect of alcohol. The end product of such conflicts is divorce, child neglect and wife neglect.
Mental effects
Some of the mental effects of alcohol use include:
1.Memory defect: The person suffers from memory defect and would most times confabulate (produce fictitious memories, and relate experiences that are untrue to fill the gaps in memory loss). This gets worse with time if he does not stop alcohol. He may also suffer from nightmares.
2.Apprehension: He can become unconditionally fearful and restless.
3.Impulsiveness: The person becomes impulsive and acts rashly even when there is no need to do so. He may also have incoherence of speech which people find difficult to understand.
4.Hallucination: This is a false perception in which he believes he sees, hears, smells, tastes, or feels an object or person whereas in actual sense there is no evidence to justify his claims. The person may also feel some crawling sensations over the skin.
10 Physical Effects of Alcohol
Alcohol use produces some physical effects which may be unpleasant or altogether damaging to the health of the user. They are unpleasant because to a large extent they are capable of causing discomfort and even irreversible damage to the person.
1.Loss of appetite: Excessive use of alcohol produces the direct opposite of its mild use – it leads to loss of appetite. Those who use alcoholic beverages in high quantity (alcoholics) end up with suppressed appetite and subsequently develop malnutrition.
2.Anaemia: Alcohol also causes vitamin deficiency (especially vitamin B12 and folic acid) which play a vital role in red blood cell formation. When the body is deprived of the ingredients necessary for haemoglobin formation the individual suffers from anaemia.
3.Peripheral neuritis: Vitamin B1 plays an active role in maintaining the health of the peripheral nerves. With chronic alcoholism vitamin B1 deficiency occurs leading to inflammation of the peripheral nerves, accompanied with pain and oedema.
4.Liver damage: Alcohol especially whisky or spirit leads to hepatitis with prolonged usage and if not stopped, repeated inflammation of the liver finally results in a terminal condition of the liver known as liver cirrhosis.
5.Tremor: It also brings about an involuntary, muscular quivering of the face, tongue and hands. This may get worse as the use of alcohol continues unabated.
6.Peptic ulcer: Alcohol has been implicated in peptic ulcer. Its effect is just like the effect of the Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) because it (spirit) is able to gradually destroy the mucosal lining of the stomach and expose it to the effects of hydrochloric acid and gastric acid.
7.Cancer: Research has recently shown that alcohol could be responsible for the high incidence of cancer of the breast, mouth, pharynx, larynx, gallbladder, pancreas, bowel, kidneys, oesophagus, lungs, etc. These conditions are on the increase in Great Britain and the United States of America where the use of alcohol is very high.
8.Dehydration: Alcohol is also known to cause dehydration.
9.Abortion: It can cause abortion of the unborn baby in mothers who are heavy drinkers. It also gives rise to low birth weight babies.
10.Sexual disorder: Some form of sexual disorder is also reported among users. This disorders include impotence in males and frigidity in females.
1.Loss of appetite: Excessive use of alcohol produces the direct opposite of its mild use – it leads to loss of appetite. Those who use alcoholic beverages in high quantity (alcoholics) end up with suppressed appetite and subsequently develop malnutrition.
2.Anaemia: Alcohol also causes vitamin deficiency (especially vitamin B12 and folic acid) which play a vital role in red blood cell formation. When the body is deprived of the ingredients necessary for haemoglobin formation the individual suffers from anaemia.
3.Peripheral neuritis: Vitamin B1 plays an active role in maintaining the health of the peripheral nerves. With chronic alcoholism vitamin B1 deficiency occurs leading to inflammation of the peripheral nerves, accompanied with pain and oedema.
4.Liver damage: Alcohol especially whisky or spirit leads to hepatitis with prolonged usage and if not stopped, repeated inflammation of the liver finally results in a terminal condition of the liver known as liver cirrhosis.
5.Tremor: It also brings about an involuntary, muscular quivering of the face, tongue and hands. This may get worse as the use of alcohol continues unabated.
6.Peptic ulcer: Alcohol has been implicated in peptic ulcer. Its effect is just like the effect of the Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) because it (spirit) is able to gradually destroy the mucosal lining of the stomach and expose it to the effects of hydrochloric acid and gastric acid.
7.Cancer: Research has recently shown that alcohol could be responsible for the high incidence of cancer of the breast, mouth, pharynx, larynx, gallbladder, pancreas, bowel, kidneys, oesophagus, lungs, etc. These conditions are on the increase in Great Britain and the United States of America where the use of alcohol is very high.
8.Dehydration: Alcohol is also known to cause dehydration.
9.Abortion: It can cause abortion of the unborn baby in mothers who are heavy drinkers. It also gives rise to low birth weight babies.
10.Sexual disorder: Some form of sexual disorder is also reported among users. This disorders include impotence in males and frigidity in females.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
10 Reasons Why People Use Alcohol
Alcohol is used by certain persons for several reasons, based on several factors. Its use is related to factors ranging from emotional, social, religious, physical, to psychological.
Some of the reasons why people take alcohol therefore include:
1.To quench thirst: Some see alcohol as an alternative to water when they are thirsty and need something to wet their throat. This is common among palm wine-tappers in villages (palm wine is a special alcoholic sap derived from the palm tree).
2.To promote sleep: Alcohol when taken in small quantity helps to relieve mental tension and relax the muscles hence some make use of it to help them relax and sleep after a strenuous day’s job.
3.To spice up social gathering: Those who drink alcohol believe that without it social gatherings can never be enjoyable, hence they would always include it as part of the necessities to make their gathering lively.
4.To improve appetite: It also has the power to improve one’s appetite; as such those who suffer from some kind of anorexia would want to take it to help bring up their appetite.
5.For boldness: Some people who are naturally shy, timid or fearful see alcohol as a way of getting boldness which they cannot naturally sum up on their own. They use it to confront problems which they are afraid to face. Some even take it before approaching a lady for love.
6.To kill anxiety: Alcohol can distract the mind from worries and anxiety, so people who have some kind of worries take it to help take their minds off such worries.
7.Influence from other persons: Alcohol can also be taken as a way of imitating parents who have been watched taking it over the years. Apart from parents, older adults can also have an influence on the youth which would make them want to have a taste of it. Peer pressure and the desire to belong could make one to indulge in alcohol use.
8.Rituals: Alcohol forms the basis for some social or religious rituals. For example in some traditions, social gatherings are declared open using alcohol for blessing. It is also a means of libation to the gods, blessing marriages, offering sacrifices, invoking curses, etc and those who perform such rituals are required to be the first to taste of the drink.
9.Relieve pain: When taken in large quantity it relieves physical pains hence those with chronic pain take it in order to control the pain.
10.To produce euphoria: Alcohol like other drugs of dependence, is able to produce a state of euphoria (an exaggerated feeling of well-being often not justified by circumstances), or a state of ‘high’. Some would want to keep repeating it in order to have this feeling.
Some of the reasons why people take alcohol therefore include:
1.To quench thirst: Some see alcohol as an alternative to water when they are thirsty and need something to wet their throat. This is common among palm wine-tappers in villages (palm wine is a special alcoholic sap derived from the palm tree).
2.To promote sleep: Alcohol when taken in small quantity helps to relieve mental tension and relax the muscles hence some make use of it to help them relax and sleep after a strenuous day’s job.
3.To spice up social gathering: Those who drink alcohol believe that without it social gatherings can never be enjoyable, hence they would always include it as part of the necessities to make their gathering lively.
4.To improve appetite: It also has the power to improve one’s appetite; as such those who suffer from some kind of anorexia would want to take it to help bring up their appetite.
5.For boldness: Some people who are naturally shy, timid or fearful see alcohol as a way of getting boldness which they cannot naturally sum up on their own. They use it to confront problems which they are afraid to face. Some even take it before approaching a lady for love.
6.To kill anxiety: Alcohol can distract the mind from worries and anxiety, so people who have some kind of worries take it to help take their minds off such worries.
7.Influence from other persons: Alcohol can also be taken as a way of imitating parents who have been watched taking it over the years. Apart from parents, older adults can also have an influence on the youth which would make them want to have a taste of it. Peer pressure and the desire to belong could make one to indulge in alcohol use.
8.Rituals: Alcohol forms the basis for some social or religious rituals. For example in some traditions, social gatherings are declared open using alcohol for blessing. It is also a means of libation to the gods, blessing marriages, offering sacrifices, invoking curses, etc and those who perform such rituals are required to be the first to taste of the drink.
9.Relieve pain: When taken in large quantity it relieves physical pains hence those with chronic pain take it in order to control the pain.
10.To produce euphoria: Alcohol like other drugs of dependence, is able to produce a state of euphoria (an exaggerated feeling of well-being often not justified by circumstances), or a state of ‘high’. Some would want to keep repeating it in order to have this feeling.
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