Blue Haven Hospitalities

Archive for July 22nd, 2010

Hi Folks! I wish to confess in recent times, we have noticed prominent slumps in the holiday property marketplaces and for this indispensable reason, the prices have drastically dropped. However, with fall in prices, people find it highly affordable to procure their property of interest. Holiday home insurance is such an indispensable thing to own for the safety and protection of the travelers. It is as significant as the insurance you own for your home and if you are on the hunt for the best source to procure Second Home Insurance, I recommend looking no further than Towergate Connect that holds immense expertise in the industry and pioneering the holiday home insurance business since its inception. This remarkable company shows the way to protect the investment of the customers in a holiday property, no matter where it is.

Portugal’s has now come up with a new way to treat the problem of drug addiction. The Portugal’s new policy may surprise you but it in the end it had provided a fruitful result. The new policy of Portugal is to treat the drug addict and not to punish them. You may be asking how it was very effective in reducing the drug usage among the youngster. The answer for all your question comes in the following few lines. When Portugal found that the news report carried news about the person who was found sprawled in the streets of Lisbon Slum. This made the government of Portugal to take not just an initiative but also to reduce the usage of drugs such as heroin and cocaine among people. So what’s that step? Portugal government decriminalized the act of using drugs. Many political parties argued that this is a great lunacy and also an ultra liberalization of drugs. What they said is people from all over the Europe will come to Portugal to take heroin and other type of drugs because the usage of drugs is not a criminal act in Portugal. They feared that the hotels and the resorts will be occupied by the drug tourists and the Portugal would serve as a dumping-ground for them.

Nicotine is known to increase the dependency of the body. There are 4000 chemicals in smoke and among them 1000 are identified as toxic chemicals. The smoke when inhaled can reach the brain within 10 seconds and drive the hormones to full work. The most worrying fact is that nicotine is found even in breast milk. The nicotine is rich with carcinogen which is the cancer causing agents. It reduces the oxygen carrying capacity of the red blood cells. Even though at initial stage like any other drug nicotine produces subtle changes, it is found to contain tar and the airways, bronchi, lining of the lungs and heart are coated with the tar at later stages. The high risk factor involves heart attack, cancer to mouth, throat, larynx, lungs and pancreas, strokes and it also weakens the immune system leading to many respiratory problem. It is regarded that even genetic design contributes to the level of smoking. A person DNA may also be held responsible of his smoking habits. This is the only subtle contribution. But there are some studies which show that the non smokers have more risk to the Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and schizophrenics compared to the smokers. Nicotine can even cause death to unborn child when in taken during pregnancy. Prolonged intake can cause impotency in men. Thus the nicotine like every other drug has deadly effects. Unlike other drug addictions nicotine is a little tough to get over and the relapse rate is higher than any other drug. But with the combination of willpower and persuasion it can be overcome with help of rehabilitation centers.

Nicotine is an extremely addictive drug. It is the reason behind the “high” of every smoke. Some people may wonder whether smoking is an addiction at all, because it does not cause any hangover or unconsciousness. But every drug is deadly in their own phase and only their effects are different. Nicotine is basically a psychoactive drug and the addicts will tell the calming effects after a smoke. It is because nicotine affects the pleasure centers in the brain. This leads to the pleasing and addictiveness of smoking. About 86% of lung cancer is contributed by this. It also causes emphysema and bronchitis. The effects start right from the mouth leading to mouth and throat cancer. Nicotine develops tolerance level and thus leads to the increase in the intake of nicotine which causes long time smokers into chain smokers. As soon as the nicotine reaches the lungs it induces many hormones which in turn will increase the brain activity and lead to sharpness, alertness and increase in concentration. But these are just false assurances for the smoker and smoking will eventually lead to loss in appetite and thus weight loss and anxiety.

If we are stressed and want to relax we smoke, if we want showoff we smoke, we smoke for peer pressure but at times we just need a smoke. The reasons may vary from person to person but the effect is always deadly. The advertisement makers show smoking as a way to improve your image, show your style, your machoness even a way to win girls. Yes the image given to smoking in the society is not as a deadliest enemy rather a casual habit. Persons may even consider smoking as a respect to their social peers. Does smoking affect only the concerned person? The answer is No, unlike all the other drugs which only impairs psychological pressure to others; smoking directly can affect the passive smokers physically. Only recently smoking in public has been prohibited for the welfare of the passive smokers. Inhaling nicotine directly affects the lungs and cause many respiratory problems. The smoking habit for many people kick starts right at the young age. Some find it as a proud moment when they first fill their lungs with smoke. What starts as a game can turn into lifelong addiction. Some are inspired by a parent to smoke. The smokers get their “high” when they inhale the smoke until it fills their lungs and releases it through mouth and nostrils. But every inhaling can cause the change to the tissues. So it is better to stop before it is too late.

Cannabis commonly known as marijuana or ganja can be considered to be mild when compared with the kings like heroin and cocaine. It is usually in the natural form and is replaced with nicotine in cigarettes and smoked. So it immediately affects the windpipe and lungs and then reaches the brain which in turns gives the “high” for the addict. The main target of marijuana is brain followed by heart and lungs. Since the drug directly affects the cannabis neurons. The initial intake will increase the heart rate of the persons who consumes, and thus leads to the risk of getting heart attack. The other diseases may be increased risk of getting lung cancer, anxiety, drug craving. Marijuana is a mix of depressant and stimulant. Another main consequence is insomnia and disillusion. The treatment includes behavioral interventions and providing detoxification and help to get over the withdrawal symptoms. The recent studies show that there is increase in the intake of ganja. Even though it can be called as the mild drug, any drug is not just safe mild or strong so awareness is to be made among the youth about its ill effects.

Steroids are now the trend in sports arena. A steroid is good for us it helps to make the body stronger and better. It can either be had orally or can be injected. It is of two types oil-based and water-based. When it enters the body it creates “Positive nitrogen balance”. This was mainly used in the bodybuilding arena and those who are the regular visitors of the gym may have wide knowledge about steroids being used to bring out all the muscles of the machoness as said by their gym instructors. But the use of steroids took a hit when it found was to be misused in the sports arena. It is used in the sole aim of excelling and the pressure to rise above others. There gone are the times when the sports personnel’s used to tone their body with natural food and hours of working out and dedication to sports they love. Now we see someone winning gold medals one day and the next day they are flashed all over the world with tears saying that they were not aware that they used prohibited drug and they took it under the instruction of their coaches. Hence the steroid can be called as the “Scandal king”. The steroids that are generally used by sports persons are “Performance Enhancing Drugs (PED)” and “Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS)”. It has ruined the life of many well known Olympic-medal-winning sports stars. So steroids gained popularity as the spoilers or cheaters of sportsmanship. But the steroid is sort of attaining cult status among the youngsters especially those who want a nice physique. Steroid induces the testosterone hormones. This hormone had both anabolic and androgenic effects. The bodybuilders are concerned with the anabolic side of the hormone because that helps in increased strength, increased muscle size and increased muscle recovery. The steroids interfere with the normal functioning of the hormones and enhance it. This leads to many serious side effects. It can cause cardiovascular disease, palpitation, increased heart size, impotency, headache, stomach ache, muscle tear, insomnia, depression and hair fall. Another shocking side effect of this is it causes stunted growth. This fact has been widely proved. It is not good to mess up with what nature had made because it may cause serious effects. The use of steroids has been banned widely. But steroids are not addictive and they can be kept under control through proper knowledge of its effects.

There had been a wide discern about mushroom being a drug of abuse. The fact is there is one kind of mushroom which is used as the drug of abuse. The street names are Caps Magic mushrooms. These magic mushrooms are widely cultivated in Mexico and Central America. Though it was only in the late 1970s that this became widely popular, this had been used in the native rituals for over thousands of years. This particular type contains psilocybin and psilocin which are the hallucinogenic agents. These agents disrupt the serotonin system. This system is present in the lining of the intestinal walls and is a type of neurotransmitter. This is not basically addictive but increased use can lead to increase in the level of consumption. The effects normally persist up to 3 to 8 hrs and depending upon the individual person, level of dosage and methods of preparation, the effects may even extend. This is usually eaten but it an also be brewed with tea. Since there is oral consumption it may lead to nausea, dizziness and vomiting. Vomiting occurs only with high dosages. The users may have the desired effects if they have a “Good trip” i.e. if they everything proper right from selecting, preparing and consumption. They may also experience “Bad trip” if they are not up to it i.e. if their body’s metabolism is weak which may cause anxiety, loss of control and fear of death and insanity. The short term effects are loss of appetite, increase in heart rate and blood pressure, swollen features and weakness in limbs. The primary long term effect is, what they medically refer to as Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD),it usually refers to the recurring flashbacks or hallucinations long after the ingestion of the mushrooms. It also has its effects on the sensory system which might include having visions, illusion about objects, seeing halos around other objects. This lead to research where the mushrooms where checked, for if they could produce any spiritual experience. Though some confirmed that they had spiritual experiences, many said that they had the feeling of well being of themselves, friends and relatives. The psilocybin mushrooms are reportedly used in OCD(Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) which can generally be called as anxiety disorder and can send the patients to complete remission. Though this might not be addictive it still is a drug and proper care had to be taken because it depends upon the individuals to make the choice.

PCP stands for “Phencyclidine”. Its street names are “Angel dust”, “Ozone””Rocket fuel” and “Wet”. This is a dissociative drug and its effects are anapestic, hallucinogenic and neurotoxin. This drug especially has the brain as its target. It affects the motor factions, coordination and also causes unusual behavior. It was not as popular as the other drugs when it was introduced, the main reason was since this drug is basically dissociative the user feels detached from their body and this can be frightening for first time users. So the professional drug addicts stayed away from this drug and even the first time users were scared away because of its effect. Initially the drug was a failure and even now it is not widely used. Then the drug was given a new name, instead of PCP it was sold out as TCH. But this proved to be even worse because this result confusion to the users because TCH didn’t provide what they had expected. Even the sales of TCH began to fall down. Then PCP made its come back with its new name “Angel dust” which is used to denote the combination of crack and heroin. With the new name PCP alias angel dust, it was able to hold some drug market. But even the dissociative effect couldn’t drive away some of the users. There are still followers of “Angel dust” who just loved the dissociation effect and found it to be pleasing, and added it to their drugs kit. The immediate effects are drowsiness, no feel of pain, unaware of the surroundings, sense of strength and invulnerability. The PCP when taken as pill is very strong , the pill will show its effects after 30 or 60 minutes, and the person will be “high” for 24 hrs and it may even take 64 hrs for the effects to wear off. Another way to take this drug is to mix this with marijuana and smoke it. This is relatively less stronger compared to PCP as pill and even though the person will get “high” immediately, the effect will stay only for 5 or 6 hrs. High doses though may not lead to death will result in seizures and coma. The continuous use of this drug leads to psychological dependence, craving, memory loss, weight loss, depression and difficulties with speaking and learning. These effects will persist even after one year of quitting it. So it may lead to relapse easily. Valium is used as the emergency withdrawal medicine. Rehabilitation is a little tough because the users may become violent and suicidal and extreme care should be taken for they cannot be left alone. But continuous therapy will help the addicts get over this drug.

“Lysergic acid diethylamide” shortly known as LSD is a type of recreational, psychedelic, party drug. This drug is the 5th among the most abused recreational drug. This drug when invented had potential psychiatric uses. It turned into therapeutic agent and showed great results. But due to wide usage of it as drug of abuse it was brought under substance abuse. It is generally a hallucinogen and a potent mood changer. It is manufactured from the Lysergic acid which is produced from the Ergot fungus. The street names are “Acid”, “Doses””Hits””Microdots””Sugar cubes” and “Tabs”. It is commonly found in “blotter”, a perforated paper which is taken orally i.e. licked or swallowed. The liquid form is also found which is used in injections; it can also be found in thin squares of gelatin which is administered through eyes. The users feel the effect within 30 to 90 minutes of taking the drug. The effects depend upon the person’s body, age and previous experience with the drugs. The effects of this drug are cited as “trip” and it refers to the psychological effects of consuming this drug. It has psyche motional effects and the users say that they have experienced significant changes in their life and personality perspectives. Strange feelings and strong emotions are typical to the “Acid”. An important fact is that the effects not only depend on the individual mindset of the person but also his physical and social environment. This determines the limit of the drug’s action. The immediate effects are dilated pupils, increase in body temperature and pressure, loss of appetite, sleeplessness, dry mouth and tremors. If taken in overdose it leads to vital change in the person’s sense of time, visual hallucinations and delusions. There may also be “cross-over’ of senses where they can “see sound and hear color” this can really be freaking and leads to panic. Several users have limited the dosage or quit over time due to this disarming effects. The Quitters are said to experience a flashback of some experience or recurrence of certain effects even after 1 year. The drug does not have the addictive effects of alcohol, heroin or crack. So it is not considered to be addictive. However the body develops physical dependence that may lead to high dosage of the drugs after every use. There have been strange cases of suicides who were on LSD due to its hallucinogenic effects. The rehabilitation centers can bring the desired emotional or psychological change to the addicts which can help them quit over time.