Altered Cellular and Tissue Biology 1

MODULE ONE DISCUSSION

Question 3: In this module and in your text, you learned about the toxic effects of alcohol

(ethanol) and other chemicals on cells and tissues. Consider for a minute why, when people are

highly aware of the negative effects of such use on the body’s cells and tissues, they continue

abusing the substance.

William D. Rowland, RN, BSN

Presented to

Dr. Iris Mullins, RN, PhD

In partial fulfillment of the requirements of

Nursing 511

School of Nursing

New Mexico State University

August 22, 2010

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Module One Discussion

Always intriguing and seldom fully understood, human behavior accounts for a

significant number of deaths, injuries and disabilities throughout the world. Perhaps one of the

most perplexing behaviors is chronic, self-inflicted injury though the use of drugs and various

substances, even though the individual is fully aware of the deleterious consequences. There are

a variety of other drugs that are used illicitly every day; however, alcohol, tobacco and cocaine

are at the forefront in today’s society. Indeed, alcohol is the leading mood-altering drug used in

America; however, alcohol is considered a part of the basic food supply in many societies

(McCance, Huether, Brashers & Roe, 2010). America, unfortunately, is no exception.

Continued abuse of alcohol, nicotine and narcotics is reinforced by a variety of

physiological and psychosocial variables; however, drug abuse proliferation stems from physical

addiction, psychological dependence and social attitude. There is no single cause that can be

associated with an abuser’s continued destructive behavior; rather, it is a culmination of

psychological, physical, emotional, experiential and environmental factors that reinforce the

behavior.

The factors which led the individual to start the behavior initially may or may not

account for the continuation of that behavior. For example, peer pressure combined with

curiosity may lead a young person to start smoking; however, years later, after addiction to

nicotine has rooted itself, that older and so-called wiser person continues to smoke while

knowing the adverse effects of doing so. Even later in life, a person may begin smoking and/or

drinking when available coping mechanisms no longer withstand new or continuing stressors.

Even with ongoing public media campaigns against smoking and against “drinking and driving”

(not drinking, mind you, just drinking and driving; more on that later), individuals continue to

poison themselves slowly through chronic ethanol and/or nicotine intake.

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Perhaps, then, choice has little to do with the decision to continue tobacco or alcohol use.

Cigarette smokers are so concerned about their drug use that each year some 1 million of them

attempt to quit; but, sadly, less than 15% succeed in abstinence for a full year. While

understanding that risks outweigh perceived benefits, addicted individuals compulsively

continue their drug use in a chronic, relapsing fashion. They are not devoid of any choice when

engaging in behaviors that support and reinforce continued drug use. Not all choices are equally

easy to make, especially when there exists a host of genetic, environmental and non-

environmental factors supporting continued drug use (Halpern, 2002).

Although radio, television, billboard and other media have spent millions of dollars to

eradicate cigarette smoking, it has spent just as much, in this writer’s opinion, to promote

alcohol consumption. Why? Simply, alcohol consumption is socially acceptable and, in many

cases, highly encouraged, especially through public media. The media targets smokers

ferociously while glamorizing alcohol use through beer, wine and liquor commercials with

subtle disclaimers, such as “please drink responsibly”. Remove the last word, and what is the

real message? As stated earlier, alcohol comes in at first place among drug abuse in America,

and it will continue to hold that top spot until realistic public media addresses it with the same

tenacity as cigarette smoking and illicit drugs.

Behavior is learned, and unhealthy behavior, including drug abuse, must be un-learned.

To un-learn a destructive behavior pattern requires diligence and determination after the

individual makes the fully conscious decision to do so. Obviously, the best deterrent to drug

abuse is early interventions designed to prevent its starting in the first place. However, human

nature, as mysterious as it will always be, will certainly prevail within those who defy all logical

reasoning and simple explanation. Perseverance, patience, guidance and focus will ultimately
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help those who choose to accept assistance from health care providers, therapists, counselors and

many others. Thankfully, a great deal of satisfaction is obtained from helping even one.

References

Halpern, J.H. (2002). Addiction Is a Disease [Electronic version]. Psychiatric Times, 19(10), 1-

2.
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McCance, K.L., Huether, S.E., Brashers, V.L. & Rote, N.S. Pathophysiology: The Biological

Basis for Disease in Adults and Children (6th. ed.). Philadelphia: Mosby, Inc.