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We,
humans, try to improve our environment, physical
condition, the way we think and behave, in order
to feel comfortable and to live a fulfilled life.
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to the above figure, by using certains substance,
humans can modify their emotions
and mood. Those substances that modify
the behavior, the conscience state, and
the psychological condition are called psychotropic
substances. In this category are
included drugs like marihuana and heroin,
tranquilizers, stimulators, and other
substances such as alcohol, tobacco and
caffeine. |
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The use
of psychotropic substances is a planned action
that targets a specific objective, and
continuously interacts with behavioral options
and life circumstances.
However, any method used
to modify the mood can turn into an addiction.
Some people start using
psychotropic substances (as prescribed
medication) as early as childhood years, but most
individuals discover them during puberty or
teenager years. Puberty is usually a difficult
period characterised by tumultous, external and
internal crises. However, when the youth's
emotions and moods are unpredictably and
unpleasant influenced by dysfunctional thoughts
or social pressure,the interiour balance should
be re-established through healthy strategies not
with psychotropic substances.
The alcohol is used
either as aliment, or psychoactive
substance. It is consumed in small
amount by people that enjoy drinking alcoholic
drinks with different occasions. Alcoholic drinks
are available on the market which makes them
easily to be purchased, and usually are consumed
in social context (in a group of friends, at
parties). Condumed in limited amounts, the
alcohol is associated with a pleasant effect.
Warning:a harmless alcohol consumption can easily
become abusive when it is used for its relaxing
and pleasant effect.
As aliment, 1g of
alcohol has a nutritional value of 29 kJ. Even if
its nutrition value is pretty high (producing
more energy than the body needs), the alcohol
does not provide benefic substances needed for a
healthy and balanced diet. For example, 1 litre
of beer has a caloric value of 2,000kj
reprezenting 20% of the daily energy needed by a
man with a medium level of physical activity. The
same caloric value is contained in 0,7 liters of
win or 0,25 liters of strong alcoholic drinks.
As a psychoactive
substance, alcohol is a sedative,
similar with barbiturates (such as Nembuthal,
Secobarbital) and easy tranquilizers (such as
Meprobamat, Diazepam). A sedative is a substance
that decreases the central nervous system's
activity, altering the behavior, conscience
state, and mental disposition.
Alcoholic drinks have the same
sedative effect on the central nervous system
when are consumed (on purpose) to reach a relaxed
state or in social contexts. In some cases, the
alcohol sold as medication (various pain killers,
tranquilizers) can be used as an universal
panacea for different symptoms.
Unfortunately, the alcohol
is perceived as an essential part of our life,
culture and economy, and not as a drug.
Some people can manage to drink
alcohol bevarages in small amounts and avoid the
negative consequences of getting intoxicated, but
many others (unfortunately) unnoticeably slip
into an addiction, paying a too higher price with
their health and even their life.
Harmful effects on the
human body are highly predicted in the avarage
ingested alcohol amount exceeds 40 grams of pure
alcohol per day.
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