“Alcohol can be an enjoyable part of life. But like all drugs, alcohol causes problems if misused” (Australian Drug Foundation 2001).
It is difficult for Homer to stop his drinking problem as it has already become a part of his life. For a number of years, he has been drinking alcohol every day and his addiction is serious. Without alcohol, he will become stressed and experience emotional difficulties.
If Homer does change his lifestyle behaviours, his health will dramatically improve. Benefits are -
Homer will save himself a lot of money if he stop taking alcohol as alcohol abuse costs about $145 million in healthcare costs and $770 million in road accidents every year
- Less emotional prob lems with those around him - Alcohol causes the user to take risks even amongst their own families. If Homer quits, he will not experience these problems
- Sleep better at night and wake up nice and refreshed - Taking large amounts of alcohol one night can lead to hangovers the next morning
- Have a lot more energy to do activities rather than resting in bed completely drained of energy
- He can be less depressed and will have a high self-esteem
- Be in a lot better physical shape - lose weight from excess calories give off by alcohol
- Reduces the risk of hypertension, liver disease, brain damage, cancer and accidents
Homer will find it extremely difficult to quit drinking as it has already become a part of his life. Since high school, he has always been drinking to this very day and has so far created a severe addiction. Quitting drinking is like taking away a major factor of his life and will affect him dearly. He will have to endure emotional stress and anxiety as his alcohol will be dramatically decreased or taken away from him. Over time though, he will eventually get a lot better.
Krusty: Smoking
Herschel Pinkus Yerucham Krustofski or Krusty is a popular character from “The Simpsons”. Krusty is commonly seen as a clown with his on television show The Krusty the Klown Show.
Krusty suffers an addiction to smoking and cigarettes which is taking a huge toll on his health. He constantly takes a cigarette to help calm him down from the stress of being a celebrity when he is not under the spotlight as he is often seen depressed after each show that he does, as a form of socialisation amongst his friends and because it helps him feel sane because his tolerance levels are dangerously high.
Krusty's actions have both harmful short-term and long-term effects as “There are more than 4000 chemicals found in tobacco smoke” (US Department of Health and Human Services).
Short-term effects that Krusty will endure because of his smoking habits are
- Rapid pulse rate: Within one minute, heart beat rises. Carbon monoxide reduces the oxygen flow of haemoglobin, causing the heart to work harder.
Temporary rise in blood temperature: Nicotine raises blood pressure, causing blood to clot more easily.
- Brain and central nervous system - Smoking upsets the delicate nervous system in your body. This may lead to multiple sclerosis.
“Smokers have death rates three times higher than non-smokers at all ages, starting from adulthood.” Long-term effects of smoking are -
- Respiratory system: Inability of the lungs to cough out and clear poisonous substances, which results in chronic bronchitis. “Tobacco is a known probable cause of about 25 diseases, the most important being lung cancer, but this number also includes heart disease, stroke, emphysema and cancer of other parts of the body” (Issues in society - Tobacco use pg.7).
- Circulatory system - Damage to the lining of the arteries increases risk of heart attacks and strokes by 40%. "Smokers are three times more likely to die than non-smokers" (ABS, 2006).
- Digestive system: Increased risk of ulcers along digestive tract.
- Premature and more abundant face wrinkles - Skin becomes dry and wrinkles also appear around eyes and mouth
- Increased risk of mouth, throat, oesophagus, pancreas, cervix and bladder cancer - Nitrogen dioxide cause cancer to all parts of the body, especially the lungs (Emphysema)
- Musculoskeletal System - Carbon monoxide decreases blood flow to fingers and toes, causing gangrene which lead to amputation
Krusty should change quit smoking altogether, so that he does not face a catastrophic range of health risks. Krusty should first of all start by making an attempt to quit by himself. Various booklets and videos that are widely available can help him understand why he smokes and how to stop. These sources will offer him advice on practical strategies to help him. Krusty can also seek medical in a one-on-one advice regime. Doctors, pharmacists, psychologists, nurses and other health professionals can provide medical advice and drug treatments for him.
Krusty can help himself by cutting down. With this approach, he can gradually reduce the number of cigarettes smoked each day, until he completely stops. Another method, the postponing method, can also be used; it involves delaying the time of day which Krusty starts smoking by a certain number of hours each day. Furthermore, Krusty can easily attend courses that are quite helpful. These courses offer Krusty support in desperate times when trying to quit. Effective programs are usually run by a trained leader who provides information and skills training to cope with quitting and future situations where he might be tempted to have a cigarette. Courses have a high success rate “Typical rates of successful quitting for group courses in the long-term are around 14%” (Issues in Society - Tobacco use)
Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) can help Krusty's addiction to smoking. This can only work if Krusty is motivated to quit smoking. It is designed to reduce nicotine symptoms whilst the person concentrates on quitting smoking. NRT products include patches, gum, inhalers, lozenges and tablets, all of which Krusty can use.
Krusty found it difficult to quit smoking because cigarettes are created with a drug called nicotine. This drug causes chemical changes in the brain, producing a mood altering effect. It is reinforcing which means Krusty will want to have a cigarette, so that he can have the effect that nicotine produces. Over time, his body becomes physically dependant on cigarettes which creates the addiction. If nicotine is not taken over a period of time, the body begins to develop cravings. This is why it is extremely difficult for Krusty to stop smoking because of the addiction. Cravings if not satisfied, will cause Krusty to have headaches, indigestion, nausea, diarrhoea, sore throats and lack of concentration.
If Kursty does quit smoking, it will benefit him greatly. Benefits are:
Within Hours
- The amount of nicotine and carbon monoxide will decrease, whilst the oxygen in his blood increases
Within Days
- Krusty's sense of smell and taste will improve
- Breathing and exercising will become a lot easier
- Chances of having a heart attack will be reduced
Within Months
- His circulatory system and blood pressure will improve, whilst his pulse rate decreases
- Cilia in his lungs will begin to regrow. This will increase the lung's function by thirty percent
Within years
- The risk of Krusty of having a heart attack, lung cancer will be reduced to half
