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Belluck, Pam. "People With Mental Illness More Likely to Be Smokers, Study Finds." The New York Times. The New York Times, 06 Feb. 2013. Web. 13 Feb. 2013. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/06/health/more-smoking-found-by-mentally-ill-people.html?ref=mentalhealthanddisorders&_r=0 Found from the Center for Disease Control and prevention and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, people with mental illnesses are 70% more likely to smoke cigarettes than people without mental illnesses. As there are nearly 46 million adults with mental issues in the United States, most of them smoke more cigarrets per month and are less likely to quit than people without mental issues. For patients with mental issues, the marketing by the tobacco industries and the historical use of cigarettes as an incentive to improve behavior in psychiatric hospitals cause them to have substance abuses. At the same time, the nicotine in the cigarettes mask some of the negative effects of mental illnesses. The continuous substance abuse of cigarettes result in making medications less effective. As the patients experience the "positive" affects of cigarettes on their mental issue, they realize that smoking helps them cope with the stressful symptoms of their illness.  

I believe that this issue can lead to large negative consequences for the patients and the health industries that take care of these patients. Even though the tobacco industries benefit from this current issue, as it is receiving a lot of profit, the patients' health is deteriorating. Even though their mental illness is already causing pain and trouble in their lives, if they start abusing cigarette substances, their mental and physical health will cause large consequences. If both their mental and physical health is damaged, their lives will be in great danger. The nicotine in the cigarettes may make the pain deteriorate for a little while, however, the long term effects of nicotine will not only damage their physical health, but will also slow down the process of recovering their mental illness. For the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration and the doctors that deal with these types of patients, they should further research about the substance abuse occurred with the patients with mental illnesses, and should securitize the patients by making them not have access to any drugs that could slow down their recovery process.

Roberts, Michelle. "Lung Cancer 'overtaking Breast Cancer in European Women'" BBC News. BBC, 13 Feb. 2013. Web. 19 Feb. 2013. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-21424754 Over this decade, it is predicted that lung cancer is set to overtake breast cancer as the biggest cause of female cancer death in Europe. As of now, this is already the case in the UK and Poland. With the brutal substance abuse of smoking is increasing amongst the women in Europe, lung cancer death rates are continuously rising during these few years. In 2013, it is predicted that 82, 640 women in Europe will die from lung cancer, and lessen the difference between breast cancer, which is predicted to have 88,886 deaths. In the long run, it is said that by 2015, the balance will have shifted and lung cancer will take the lead. With the longer life spans that the people have now, fewer are dying from diseases such as cancer. However, despite the decline in total cancer deaths, the death rate amongst women from lung cancer is continuously increasing. With the sudden increase of lung cancer deaths, medical researchers are currently trying to find a better solution to prevent these deaths as they are avoidable. However, by 2020 or 2025, it is said that the new generation of women will decrease death rates of lung cancer. This reflects the improved knowledge and prevention of cigarette addiction. 

I found that this article significantly reflects the reality of substance abuse. Nowadays, smoking has become a cultural symbol that reflects a message of being "cool". This brings attention to many people, and now, the number of people smoking has increased. Even though breast cancer can cause many dangerous medical conditions, the increasing rate of lung cancer can greatly affect humans. Lung cancer can cause many life-risking affects on the human body, and the continuous substance abuse of tobacco and cigarettes cause many deaths per year. I believe that researchers should advertise the many ways to stop smoking and the addiction to nicotine and other chemical properties in a cigarette. I believe that the government should also come up with strict rules about smoking and any action that connects to tobacco.

"Aspartame's Hidden Dangers." Mercola.com. Mercola.com, n.d. Web. 14 Feb. 2013. . "Aspartame Is, by Far, the Most Dangerous Substance on the Market That Is Added To Foods." Mercola.com. Mercola.com, n.d. Web. 14 Feb. 2013. . Summary: This article covers the negative health effects that come with the human consumption of aspartame, a natural sweetener found in "diet" foods and beverages such as Coca-Cola Zero. Among the health risks are birth defects in pregnant women, worsening of diabetes, the development of brain tumors, epilepsy, and emotional disorders such as clinical depression. The consumption of aspartame can cause headaches/migraines, dizziness, seizures, nausea, numbness, muscle spasms, weight gain, rashes, depression, fatigue, irritability, tachycardia, insomnia, vision problems, hearing loss, heart palpitations, breathing difficulties, anxiety attacks, slurred speech, loss of taste, tinnitus, vertigo, memory loss, and joint pain, according to Mercola.com. Studies done on the adverse health effects of aspartame have often been altered to remove the negative results.

Personally, I find it sickening that the FDA is allowing this substance to remain on the market. The FDA has offered no statements regarding the countless adverse health effects caused by aspartame, even though they obviously exist. Hopefully, it will be banned sometime soon.

Citation: Chapman, Paul. "Coca-Cola Addiction Contributed to Mother's Death." Telegraph.co.uk. The Telegraph, 12 Feb. 2013. Web. 13 Feb. 2013. . Summary: Thirty year old mother Natasha Harris drank up to 10 liters of Coca Cola a day, more than twice the 400mg safe limit of caffeine.  This is what is reported to be a possible reason for her death.  Coroner David Crerar found out she died of cardiac arrhythmia due to caffein and poor nutrition.  It was reported she smoked 30 cigarettes a day, ate a little, and would drink Coke in the morning and before she went to bed.  Her teeth were pulled out due to decay, One of her children was born having no tooth enamel because of her Coke addiction.  Coroners recommended Coca Cola to put caffeine content on the labels and warnings for excessive consumption.  Coca Cola became disappointed about the information, but are uncertain her death was caused by her Coke consumption or her unhealthy lifestyle.

It seemed very bizarre how someone could be addicted to Coca Cola, drinking more than what I usually drink everyday. I consider this as substance abuse, because she was damaging her health by taking too much caffeine. Surprisingly, the death was believed to be caused by her Coca Cola addiction, and most substance abuse death involve tobacco, drugs, and alcohol. People should know more about what they consume before it may kill them.

Schwarz, Alan. "Drowned in a Stream of Prescriptions." The New York Times. The New York Times, 03 Feb. 2013. Web. 13 Feb. 2013. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/03/us/concerns-about-adhd-practices-and-amphetamine-addiction.html?pagewanted=all Richard Fee, aged 24, committed suicide after failing to renew a prescription for a drug called Adderall. Aderall is a medication for those affected by A.D.H.D, but it helps people acquire tunnel-like focus, thus leading to growing numbers of students or people who think they need help to fake systems to get this drug. He was an athletic, college class president, and aspiring medical student who faked having symptoms to his doctor. His doctor continued to supply him with the drug until his parents told the doctor to stop. Richard continued to receive a prescriptions. After becoming delusional and violent, and spending a week in a psychiatric hospital, Richard received 90 more days of his prescription. He hanged himself two weeks after it expired.

The fact that people have to pretend to have a disorder just to get a drug is both wrong and inhumane. I feel like they aren't educated enough to know what they're putting into their bodies. Although Richard was a medical student, maybe he didn't know what addiction felt like, and once he was under the influence of drugs, he couldn't control himself. One thing that I think should come under question is the manner in which people decide if someone has a disorder or not. It's not a good thing that someone was able to fool an educated doctor. Now I know there probably isn't any concrete way to prove to someone that you have a disorder unless the symptoms are physical, however, there should probably be some more screening or testing for these people to make sure that they have what they say they have. Other than that, this is just another sad story, and it's unfortunate that such a successful young man with a long road ahead of him would kill himself like this.