The Problem of Alcoholism and Smoking

Question 1 

The most interesting point from the two articles is the fact that they both recognize the problem of alcoholism and thus support harm reduction strategies. These strategies are aimed at reducing deaths associated with overdose medication for drug abuse. The two articles present two different tools used to save lives until drug addicts recover from the addiction grip. One aspect of harm reduction that supports the use of Naltrexone for alcoholism is that in treating alcohol dependency, this drug blocks the euphoric feelings and effects of intoxication. This enables addicts to minimize their drinking behavior enough to be motivated to uphold treatment and prevent relapses. Another aspect is that this drug is not addictive (Strain, 2010). One aspect of MSIC of IV drug abuse is that they reduce the addiction stigma (Nedelman, 2018). These sites reduce the stigma of addiction by showing that addiction is like any other illness, which needs continuous medical treatment and monitoring. Another aspect of MSIC is that they offer drug addicts a safer haven to inject drugs (Strain, 2010). Rather than injecting their drugs in public spheres like streets or parks, drug abusers have a private place, which safeguards the public from being exposed to drug abuse situations. Aspects of these interventions that could be viewed as controversial include the fact that they could prolong drug addiction, support acceptance of drug abuse, and lead to the idea that drugs can be used responsibly and safely. 

Question 2 

For those who smoke, quitting is the most important step in protecting their lungs. I think smoking cessation programs are among the best evidence-based way for quitting. These programs cover insurance programs, prescription drugs, and quit lines, among others. Smokers who participate in these programs have a higher chance to successfully quit smoking compared to individuals trying to quit on their own. People in low socioeconomic status smoke in higher numbers compared to their wealthy counterparts (Hiscock et al. 2012). This disparity is greatly ingrained in numerous inequalities. People living in low socioeconomic communities lack adequate information regarding the health effects of smoking, have the fewest social supports and resources, and have the least access to helpful services (Hiscock et al. 2012). On top of this, low socioeconomic communities are characterized by a denser concentration of suppliers of tobacco products; hence, populations are greatly exposed to point-of-sale advertising. 

References 

Nedelman, M. (2018).Philadelphia takes bold step toward opening drug injection sites.https://edition.cnn.com/2018/01/24/health/philadelphia-supervised-injection-sites 

Strain, E. (2010). Incorporating Alcohol Pharmacotherapies Into Medical Practice: A Treatment Improvement Protocol. New York: DIANE Publishing. 

Hiscock, R., Bauld, L., Amos, A., Fidler, J. A., &Munafò, M. (February 01, 2012). Socioeconomic status and smoking: a review.  Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1248,  1, 107-123.