I Will Quit Smoking – With determination anyone could do it!

Archive for April, 2009

There are many forms of drug and alcohol abuse. Some people binge drink while others drink just to get though the day or to cure their hang over from the previous night. Same with drugs, some abuse street drugs while others take excessive amounts of prescription pills but yet feel it is ok to take the prescription pills since they were prescribed. Whatever your choice of addiction is, they have one thing in common, low self esteem.

Drugs and alcohol are usually just a mask to hide the real problem, low self esteem. According to Selfesteeminternational.org, recovering addicts and alcoholics indicate that low self esteem is the biggest problem in their lives. They feel alcohol is only a symptom to the alcoholic’s real disease. Low self esteem causes and contributes to anxiety, neurosis, defensiveness and ultimately drug and alcohol abuse according to Selfesteeminternational.org.

Drug and alcohol abuse can start early on, earlier than some parents and society would like to admit. In a study done by Selfesteeminternational.org, 18 year olds who already use drugs and alcohol heavily started using when they were as young as seven. They reported feeling alienated by their families, not good enough, anxious, unhappy and overly impulsive. 66% of high school seniors surveyed reported using drugs or alcohol heavily in order to fit in and fill a personal void.

Low self esteem is painful and difficult to deal with, so many people start self medicating through drugs and alcohol but it soon turns destructive. By drinking or using drugs a vicious cycle of more self hatred starts and before you know it, your life is completely out of control. One drink turns into two, two turns in to three and before you know it your life is all about drinking. You family doesn’t want you around, you have spent all your money and lost your job. Your actions only lead to more self hate and disappointment in yourself.

People have low self esteem for many reasons. However, low self esteem is not caused from one isolated incident but by repetitive criticism over many years. The criticism can come from anyone, a parent, a sibling, teacher or society in general. It is difficult to estimate how many people are experiencing low self esteem, but it is safe to say many people suffer from at least one of the symptoms. Maybe you are happy to see someone fail, overly aggressive, do not recognize your own good qualities, or try to please others because you do not know how to say no.

One of the most important factors in recovery is acceptance of the disease and being able to identify why you choose to be an addict in the first place. Often it is difficult to address years of low self esteem in a twelve week program. That is why follow up counseling and treatment is recommended. One new treatment that is being recommended is hypnosis. Hypnosis works with the subconscious mind to identify painful memories causing the low self esteem and help the patient work through the memory and develop new self confidence. Hypnosis is done in a safe environment and is chemical free which appeals to many recovering addicts.

Some people feel therapy and counseling is the best and only treatment needed to help recovering addicts. Unfortunately, if this were true all rehab facilities would offer a 100% cure rate. Most can not even offer a 70% cure rate. It is important to have a treatment plan that will help to identify why you started abusing drugs or alcohol in the first place, and this is difficult to do with a counselor. Often addicts have little trust in anyone let alone counselors and are more censored when talking until they get to know the counselor. Since hypnosis works with the subconscious mind, it allows the addict to think and speak openly about low self esteem issues.

Drug and alcohol abuse is a very serious problem, but what is more concerning is the underlying behavior of self hate. Until that issue is dealt with, the thought of alcohol and drug abuse is always there for the addict. There are many ways to help improve self esteem but why not do it in a safe environment and start dealing with the real problem today.

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There are many things in life worrying about, but stress should not be one of them. Stress is like disease which sucks the fun out of everything. Stress cause sleep deprivation, lose interest in activities you once found entertaining, and stress can also cause your work performance to suffer.

Stress, many people think of this as a “dirty word” and some think of it as an excuse to act poorly. Stress can be caused by many things, financial problems, marital problems or it could be caused from a happy event such as a wedding, children or going on vacation. Stress is about perception. What is stressful for one may not be for another. Many times we blow things out of proportion and therefore causing more un-necessary stress in our lives. Stress does not have to be caused from something bad in ones life. However stress, whether good or bad can lead to other very serious problems.

Stress has been linked to medical problems such as chronic headaches, age acceleration, lower immune system, heart attacks, and stomach problems, just to name a few. Many people under stress are also short tempered, grouchy, anxious and jumpy.

By learning to manage stress, you will find that you look forward to meeting new people, regain your sense of humor and self confidence. You will also find yourself feeling more relaxed, calmer, and have increased energy. You may even allow yourself to enjoy recreational activities and have more independence.

It is time for you to take a look at how stress is affecting your life. You know how your mind and body react to stress. Some have a rapid heart rate, become sweaty, or feel nervous. You know what causes stress in your life, maybe it is your children, money or simply your job.

Some people manage stress through a counselor, medications and others turn to hypnosis. Since there are so many different treatments and options for stress management, it is important to research all aspects of the treatments to decide what is right for you.

Hypnosis allows people to change your response to stress. You will find yourself calmer, rational and more relaxed. Hypnosis can help you in multiple ways, one through body relaxation. You will learn to control how breathing which will instantly create a calming effect on your mind, and it will fight tension which can lead to chronic medical problems. It will also help you to address the behaviors you have while experiencing stress such as anger or frustration and allow you to be calm.

Stress is a part of everyone life in one way or another and chances are, you will always have stress. However stress does not have to rule your life, there are options out there. You must decide how you want to live your life and how you want to feel. How do you want to be seen by others, no one wants to be thought of as a ticking time bomb. The time is now, make a choice.

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California was the first state in to ban smoking in bars, casinos and restaurants in 1998. In the ten years which have followed, New York, Arizona, Florida, Colorado and now Oregon have joined the trend. In 2001 government officials argued both sides of this heavily debated issue, in the end the bill passed. Two important issues made their way to the front of the debate, establishing a healthy work place and a smoke free environment for non-smokers. By passing the bill Oregon helped look out for the health of all Oregonians.

Through out the 80′s and early 90′s bills were passed all over the country outlawing workplace smoking. However these bills did not include bars, restaurants, bowling alleys or casinos. Lobbyists argued for these workers and brought forward statistics showing the effects of second hand smoke. They did not feel it was fair to offer a smoke free environment for some workers and not others. Many of the workers liked their jobs and wanted to keep them but ultimately did not want to be around smoke but they suffered through. In the end they had to deal with many second hand smoke issues.

Dining out, club hopping, a bowling date, all of these things should be remembered as an experience, not as an experience in a cloud of smoke. In the past restaurant and bar owners offered both a non and smoking section. However after examining the filtration systems in restaurants, health officials reported increased chances of second hand smoke health problems. Smoke does not filter out to the outside because of the ventilation systems in buildings. This makes the smoke stale and thick. Many people avoid places such as these because of this one reason! Then once the health risks are added, no one wants to smell and have cancer at the same time! The only way to insure a healthy environment is to have smoking outside. This has an appeal to non-smokers because not only can they dine and actually smell their dinners but they can also not worry about developing other health risks. For restaurant workers, they are able to also rest easy and know their work environment is not causing them cancer.

Some feel the bill takes the rights away from adults to choose what they do to their own bodies. While this may be true, smokers are also taking the same right away from non-smokers. Oregon compromised by allowing smoking out doors. While not everyone agrees with this compromise, all parties agreed.

Smoking can cause serious health problems but smoking is not like alcohol where it only physically effects the consumer. Smoking can effect those all around it. If exposed to second hand smoke, children and non-smokers can become at risk for those same health problems. Some may feel those who work in bars or bingo halls the non-smoker should know the risks associated with second hand smoke. However, previous bills guaranteed a smoke free environment for all, not everyone but those who work in bars or bowling alleys.

Health and fair working conditions are something Oregon law makers truly believe in. Oregon is taking strong steps toward those who are noncompliant with the new bill. There are fines and other consequences for those found to be in violation of the new law. No one should have to make the choice between having health problems and not simply so they can get a job or eat out.

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