Substance_Abuse_Paper

HCA250 Week 6 Substance Abuse Paper Tobacco Addiction and the Workplace HCA250 – The Psychology of Health (Axia) September 23, 2013 Tiffany Henshaw Substance Abuse Paper Tobacco Addiction and the Workplace Tobacco addiction is extremely prevalent. It effects the workplace environment and can be linked to mental illness. In the United States today, attitudes on smoking are ever-changing. In fact, currently there are five times more non-smokers than smokers (Robbins, Decenzo, & Coulter, University of Phoenix,  2011). Smoking tobacco usually starts because of psychological factors. For instance, an adolescent will decide whether or not to start smoking based on whether they view the benefits outweigh the consequences. In other words, if their friend’s smoke or those to whom they look up to smoke, they are more likely to start smoking also in an effort to mimic and thus viewed by others in the same manner. Additional factors contributing to the choice to smoke tobacco are a low self-esteem or a rebellious attitude. However, one who is without susceptibility toward smoking (has not made a prior commitment not to smoke) are ten times more likely to begin the habit (Robbins, Decenzo, & Coulter, University of Phoenix, 2011). Noted, one might concur that poverty increases the chances of one smoking. http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/help-information/mental-health-a-z/S/smoking/ There has been much study on a possible correlation between tobacco addiction and mental illness. “A 2013 study from the Centers for Disease Control in the United States found a person with a mental illness was 70% more likely to smoke than a person without a mental disorder. In addition to this, people with mental health problems smoke significantly more, have increased levels of nicotine dependency and are therefore at even greater risk of smoking-related harm." (ASH, Fact Sheet Action on Smoking and Health, Smoking and Mental Health," 2013). Therefore, smoking and mental health do correlate with each other; however, this is not to conclude that those with a tobacco addiction necessarily have mental health issues. “According to BMJ Tobacco Control, (2010), “…employers incur additional indirect costs for smoking employees. These include impacts on workplace absenteeism and productivity.  The US Office of Technology Assessment estimated that in 1990 the workplace cost from disability and premature mortality caused by smoking was $47 billion.  Several studies have indicated that smoking employees have substantially greater absenteeism, injuries, and accidents than do non-smoking employees.”  (Impact of Smoking Status on Workplace Absenteeism and Productivity). In pursuit of combatting this issue eye-to-eye, companies have taken action against this ever-growing loss at the very root and are offering their employees assistance programs to combat the use of tobacco. Restrictions of tobacco in the workplace and even on workplace grounds help those addicted to nicotine by not allowing smoking in the workplace, thereby forcing employees to refrain from smoking during work hours. This shows employees their ability to go without nicotine. In effect, this encourages many to quit completely. References ASH, Fact sheet action on smoking and health, Smoking and Mental Health. (2013).  Retrieved from http://ash.org.uk/files/documents/ASH_120. BMJ Cleveland Clinic-Tobacco Control. (2010). Retrieved from http://tobaccocontrol.bmj.com/content/10/3/233.full Robbins, Decenzo, & Coulter, University of Phoenix. (2011). Health psychology: Bio psychosocial Interactions. Retrieved from Robbins, Decenzo, & Coulter, University of Phoenix, HCA250 website. .