RISK BEHAVIOUR AND WELLNESS

Submitted by: Lisma Joshwa

Submitted to : Dr. Giji Francis

INTRODUCTION Risk behaviour may include all forms of addictive behaviours such as drug abuse, alcoholism, smoking which effects or impairs a person’s ability to function normally.

WHAT IS ADDICTION? Addiction is a physical and psychological dependence on a drug substance or behaviour.

Wellness programs have been introduced in recent years and have been able to bring about at least 60% of change in one’s lifestyle habits.

DRUG ABUSE

It is defined as a state of periodic or chronic intoxication detrimental to the individual and society produced by the repeated intake of habit forming drugs.

CONSEQUENCES OF DRUG USE

Most of the commonly abused drugs are psychoactive substances that affect thoughts, perceptions, feelings, and moods, in other words, they change consciousness.

Taking psychoactive drugs to alter consciousness is particularly dangerous because the cognitive, emotional, and behavioural processes that the drugs alter are required for harmonious adaptation to one’s environment.

Drugs that block uncomfortable emotions can impair useful defenses.

Furthermore, regular use of psychoactive drugs can alter the biology of the brain to the point that dug using becomes a goal itself, irrespective of any desire to alter thoughts and emotions.

SMOKING TOBACCO

TOBACCO USE The health cost as a result of smoking is staggering.

The WHO estimates that more than 3 million people die worldwide each year as a consequence of smoking.

WHY PEOPLE SMOKE This behavior can be explained

by the lifestyle people lead today, especially in western countries.

Most people begin to smoke in their teen years, emulating parents, others who smoke, or cigarette ad models.

According to the American Cancer Society, the motivations of smokers fall into six general categories:

o Stimulationo Handlingo Pleasurable relaxationo Reducing negative feelingso Cravingo Habit

PASSIVE SMOKING Smoking harms non- smokers too.

Research indicates that passive smoking can also give rise to other potentially fatal diseases such as heart disease and stroke.

In the mid-1980’s, the United States Surgeon General issued a report on the effects of passive smoking that included three conclusions:

Involuntary smoking is a cause of disease, including lung cancer, in non smokers.

Compared with the children of non-smoking parents, children of parents who smoke have a higher frequency of respiratory infections, smaller rates of increase in ling function as the lungs mature.

The simple separation of smokers and non smokers within the same air space may reduce, but does not eliminate, the exposure of non smokers to environmental tobacco smoke.

ALCOHOL ABUSE

Alcohol abuse is the principal drug problem in the United States.

Approximately 12 million Americans of different ages, religions, races, educational backgrounds and socio economic status have problems with alcohol.

THE PROBLEM These people are unable to control their

drinking Some are physically dependent on

alcohol and may experience withdrawal symptoms, including delirium tremens (DTs), characterized by hallucinations and uncontrollable shaking, when deprived of alcohol.

CONSEQUENCES OF DRINKING Job and school performance can be

impaired Family relationships and friendships can

be destroyed Drunk driving may cause financial

problems, injuries, legal problems, and fatalities.

They may have vitamin deficiency syndromes resulting in loss of muscular coordination and mental confusion.

PROSTITUTION

Prostitution can be calculated as an age-old social evil.

It is a social problem in most urban areas, and to a lesser extent in rural areas.

Sociologists who have studied prostitution have mentioned the following underlying causes of prostitution:

1. Changes in environment2. Breakdown of family relations3. Parental quarrels4. Want of affection5. Illegitimate love6. Easy money7. Low I.Q8. Low moral standards9. Poverty etc.

WELLNESS

DEFINITION Wellness has been defined as

an approach to personal health that emphasizes individual responsibility for wellbeing through the practice of health promoting lifestyle behaviours. – Hurley and Schlaadt, 1992.

DIMENSIONS OF HEALTH AND WELLNESS Educational wellness requires

understanding emotions and coping with problems that arise in everyday life.

Intellectual wellness involves having a mind open to new ideas and concepts.

Spiritual wellness is the state of harmony with yourself and others.

Occupational wellness is being able to enjoy what you are doing to earn a living and contribute to society.

Social wellness refers to the ability to perform social roles effectively, comfortably, and without harming others.

Physical wellness is a healthy body maintained by eating right, exercising regularly, avoiding harmful habits.

WELLNESS AND HEALTH What comes to mind when you think of

taking risks with your health—driving recklessly, or maybe abusing alcohol or illegal drugs?

Tobacco use, unbalanced nutrition and a lack of physical activity are some of the key risk factors for the most common causes of death.

Alcohol is the number-one drug problem in this country and on campus.

Abstaining from using alcohol is the only way to completely protect oneself from its risks and negative effects.

Responsible alcohol use can include choosing not to drink alcohol or choosing to consume a moderate amount of alcohol based on your size and gender.

The health risks of drug use can be severe, especially with excessive or prolonged use.

Abstaining from using drugs is the only way to completely protect oneself from their risks.

Wellness programs are introduced by many institutions such as educational and workplace settings to reduce the impact of addiction and improve their wellbeing.

CONCLUSION Drug abuse and addiction is less about

the amount of substance consumed or the frequency, and more to do with the consequences of drug use.

Smoking harms nearly every organ of the body. Cigarette smoking causes 87 percent of lung cancer deaths. It is also responsible for many other cancers and health problems.

Smoke is also bad for other people - they breathe in your smoke secondhand and can get many of the same problems as smokers do.

Alcoholism is the most severe form of problem drinking.

The desire to drink is so strong that the mind finds many ways to rationalize drinking, even when the consequences are obvious.

The causes of prostitution may include; easy money, parental quarrel, poverty etc.

Wellness is an active process of becoming aware of and making choices toward a healthy and fulfilling life.

It’s an ongoing circle. Therefore, it is important for everyone to achieve optimal wellness in order to subdue stress, reduce the risk of illness and ensure positive interactions.

REFERNCES Eldin,G; Golanty, E; & Brown, K.M.

(1982). Health and wellness, Canada: Jones and Barlett Publishers.

Park, K. (2009), Preventive and Social Medicine. Jabalpur: M/S Banarsidas Bhanot Publishers.

Sarafino, E.P; & Smith, T.W. (2012). Health Psychology. UK: John Wiley and Sons.