The Enemy of Health - Report Example

IS PLEASURE THE ENEMY OF HEALTH? Introduction Health can be defined as the proper functioning of all the body organs of an organism and the well being of a person emotionally, psychologically, socially, biologically, spiritually and physically. The health determinants of a person are biological determinants, social determinants, environmental determinants and individual behavior and traits (Hutton, 2006, p. 15). With health comes pleasure. Pleasure during the era before industrialization was associated with the wealthy that quenched their appetite by savoring the pleasures of liquors, food, and attending theatre (Peele & Grant, 1999, p. 318). In modern day however, food, liquor, and theatre are pleasures available to many, and sometimes depriving oneself of them is considered pleasure, where one seeks to remain fit and control what they eat and drink. Pleasures have various forms, quality, types, quantity, and patterns within which they are experienced. This report therefore shall seek to find out whether pleasure constitutes to good health or is pleasure the enemy of the health. Is pleasure the enemy of the health? The subject of whether pleasure is the enemy of health has in the 21st century elicited intense debate, with nutritionist, theorists and policymakers not fully understanding what constitutes to good or bad pleasure since pleasure is relevant. This is because what is pleasurable to one person is not necessarily true of everyone else. This means that pleasure is not the enemy of health. Pleasure and fullness of health can be experienced parallel to each other when one can is able to control and discipline themselves, and understand why as an individual they would indulge in a pleasurable activity that they know, will bring harm to them (Duff, 2007, p. 385). The consistency, within which young people and the working population do engage in taking illicit, hallucinogenic and ecstasy drugs, baffles even the greatest of minds since they cannot understand how one can routinely subject themselves to a risk that they so well know (Østergaard, 2009, p. 38). This comes out of lack of knowledge of the pleasures that are derived from these drugs by the users, which makes them want to do it over and over again to experience the pleasures that they seek and are only found in such drugs (Hutton, 2006, p. 83). Through the years, pleasures derived from alcohol drinking have evolved and tremendously increased among teenagers (Peele & Grant, 1999, p. 244). In the mid 90’s most teens engaged in drinking bottled drinks, followed by invention of flavored alcoholic drinks and ready to drink mixed spirits in late 90’s and then the launch of shots which comprises of different type spirits and alcohol content in a single measure(Measham, 2004, p. 317). This was coupled with re-branding, re-modeling, upgrading, and diversifying licensed leisure venues, making them more appealing and accommodating for young people (Hutton, 2006, p. 79). The increase of alcohol use moreover, can be associated with liberalization of alcohol licensing laws and policies, their implementation, and operations of the imposed laws. This encourages night- time pleasures and urban cultural economies (Measham, 2004, p. 311). The pleasures have in the 21st century centrally revolved around alcohol consumption and taking drugs. Among common drugs used to derive pleasures are cocaine, alcohol, amphetamines, ecstasy pills, designer drugs, which is combination of two or more of the illicit drugs, and prescription drugs for purpose of recreation like Viagra (Hutton, 2006, p. 5). The immense drug use has been closely linked to people being easily accessible to drugs, the costing, drugs being readily available and increased desirability and socio cultural credibility of drugs (Østergaard, 2009, p. 33). According to Sarah MacLean in her book contemporary drug problems, the main reasons why people would routinely take illicit drugs or any other form of recreational substances, is the pleasurable experiences associated with them (MacLean, 2005, p. 300). This includes the experience of feelings, escape, imaginations, socializations - communications, and actions. In the experience of feeling, the physical and emotional statuses are affected, where users have body spasms, epileptic body movements, and intense emotions of anger, joy and fear (MacLean, 2005, p. 301). In experience of escaping, the user is in a state of euphoria and in their own world, and ability to relocate to a new self with new perspective and dimensions about who they really are (MacLean, 2005, p. 302). The imagination experience is a state where users hallucinates and think themselves as heroes or villains of whom they are not in real life (MacLean, 2005, p. 303). The communication and action experiences occurs when users upon usage communicates and relates better with those around them and being able to express themselves better than they would if they otherwise were not under drugs (MacLean, 2005, p. 305). Additionally, users are able to do things at a faster pace, this includes running and walking faster and having more self-confidence and increased self-efficacy levels. The other experience is the socialization aspect, where users initially start to use by peer and social influence and are more likely to relate and associate with people who use since, they feel a sense of belonging are not subjected to social stigma and being judged (MacLean, 2005, p. 307). In order to improve public health via pleasures, it is imperative for legislatures and policy makers on drug usage to understand the perceived risks and benefits of pleasures, the cognitive reflection, and decision-making processes of the user and the sensory joys that accompany it (Duff, 2007, p. 392). Moreover, understand that pleasures derived from drug and alcohol use, are not only a temporary alteration of the normal function of the mind and body, but a modular enhancement of socializing, improving closeness, and improving self identity and self confidence of the user(Østergaard, 2009, p. 45). In addition, acknowledge the deep and serene connection users have with the spaces around them and the people within such spaces. According to Cameron Duff in the research paper ‘The pleasures in context, ’he states that “ drug use ought to be understood as a complex and heterogeneous assemblage of risks, conscious and unconscious choices and decisions, physical and psychical sensations, affects, corporeal processes, structural and contextual forces.” (Duff, 2007, p. 386) From this, policies made on drug use will not be based on unfounded facts about the harm and risks of drug use. Traditional cultural practices in not only Africa but also other indigenous communities around the world have advocated use of ecstasy and hallucinogenic substances in order to perform religious and spiritual rituals and derive spiritual pleasures (Coveney & Bunton 2003). The drug use is accompanied by music, mumblings, and use of light, which take the users in another space, and their body movements are aligned with the floating of their soul as they indulge and submerge themselves in another spiritual realm. Religious and cultural drug users have mentioned seeing spirits, angels, and becoming self-conscious of their lives (Peele & Grant, 199, p. 197). Being confronted by the wrongs and right they have done in their lives, which generates a sense of remorsefulness, and seeing who they are in a complete different dimension. Moreover, they are able to self meditate on what they can do to be valuable members of their society. The dilemma that those who mobilize and are activist against drug use faces, while convicting users and trying to stop users from using is the urge and motivation for users to regress and go back to using (Østergaard, 2009, p. 40). This regression can be attributed to the unique, newness of experience and rush of sensations and pleasures of using the drug that is distinct per usage no matter how many times one consumes (Measham, 2004, p. 317). This further explains the desire and the need for drug and substance users to experiment and use new forms of substances and going to such lengths such as combining two or more drugs, which are referred to as designer drugs (Duff, 2007, p. 388). To win the fight on harmful drug use and advocate for improved public health is only possible if the society, policy makers and researchers, changes their views and policies on what constitutes to good and moral pleasures, to include the positive value of pleasures derived from drug usage (Duff, 2007, p. 391). Moreover, include an in depth look and understanding of the interconnecting elements relating the broad contexts, experiences, pleasures, affects, risks, joys, cultures and sensations accompanying illicit drug use (Hutton, 2006, p. 106). As Cameron Duff in the research paper ‘The pleasures in context,’ puts it “The challenge now is to develop more refined understandings of the various ways the experience of pleasure mediates the experience of risk, such that new kinds of drug prevention and harm reduction initiatives might be developed. To understand more comprehensively, the manifold experience of illicit drug use, including the manner in which individuals consider the varying significance of drug related risks and pleasures, is to open up the possibility of intervening in the very conduct of these experiences in new and more effective ways. This innovation underscores the promise of a very new kind of harm reduction policy and practice (Duff, 2007, p. 390). By implementing the three approaches as presented by the learning theory by Becker, which suggests that alcohol and drug use can be learnt by (Østergaard, 2009, p. 32): Learning and understanding the methods and ways for coming up with real effects Learning how to know the effects and relates them to the substance being used and Learning to savor and derive pleasure of being intoxified, the risks, and harm associated with pleasures of using drugs, which causes poor health, can be greatly reduced. In pursuit of pleasures and sensations that accompany the experience, many have ignored the pain or risk associated with the activity that they derive their pleasure. This means that the harm and risks related with using alcohol and drugs are outweighed by the sensations and pleasures experienced (Measham, 2004, p. 319). This is where the user associates the risk with pleasure, which constitutes to routine usage, trial of new forms of drugs and regression in case of ex-users. Use of illicit and legal drugs to experience pleasure is an element of change in social cultural dynamics of modern society in regards to seeking psychological, social, and emotional connection, identity, and fulfillment (Peele & Grant, 1999, p. 412). As presented by Fiona Measham in her probation journal ‘The decline of ecstasy, the rise of 'binge' drinking and the persistence of pleasure’, she states “Consumption-based leisure which pushes the boundaries in the pursuit of pleasure (including legal and illicit drugs) can be considered as both problem and solution in contemporary society. These weekends of excess combine the symbolic, educational (we learn moderation through experiencing excess), and the functional cathartic release from the working week, and are bounded by our structural position in society. Consumption is a means of image formation and expression, manipulated by commercial developments and perpetuated by the cycle of low self-esteem fuelling consumerism.” (Measham, 2004, p. 321) Conclusions Health is the optimum functioning of all body organs of an organism. Moreover, when the mental, physical, emotional and social functions are well, an individual is considered of good health. The health of a person is determined by biological factors, social factors, environmental factors and the behavior and traits of that person. With health comes pleasure. Pleasures have various forms, quality, types, quantity, and patterns within which they are experienced. As discussed in the report, pleasure is not the enemy of health. Many have uninformed facts about what constitutes to good pleasures due to the moral values instilled in the society and the influence of religion. Pleasure can be derived by exposing oneself to the pleasurable activity or, depriving themselves of what others consider pleasurable. In order to improve public health versus pleasures, it is imperative for legislatures and policy makers on drug usage to understand the perceived risks and benefits of pleasures, the cognitive reflection, and decision-making processes of the user and the sensory joys that accompany it. It is also important to understand the reasons why an individual who understands the risks involved in the pleasure activity and experiences they are indulging with, would still continuously involve themselves in it. References Coveney John & Bunton Robin. “In Pursuit of the Study of Pleasure: Implications for Health Research and Practice.” An Interdisciplinary Journal for the Social Study of Health, Illness, and Medicine 7.2 (2003): 161-179. Print. Duff, Cameron. “The Pleasure in Context.” International Journal of Drug Policy 19 (2008): 384-392. Print. Hutton, Fiona. Risky pleasures? club cultures and feminine identities. Melbourne: Ashgate Publishing, Ltd. 2006. Print. MacLean, Sarah. “It Might be a Scummy-Arsed Drug but It’s a Sick Buzz: Chroming and Pleasure.” Contemporary Drug Problems 32 (2005): 295-317. Print. Measham, Fiona. “The Decline of Ecstasy, the Rise of 'Binge' Drinking, and the Persistence of Pleasure.” The Journal of Community and Criminal Justice 51.4 (2004): 309-326. Print. Østergaard, Jeanette. “Learning to Become an Alcohol User: Adolescents Taking Risks and Parents Living with Uncertainty.” Addiction Research and Theory 17.1 (2009): 30-53. Peele, Stanton & Grant, Marcus. Alcohol and Pleasure: A Health Perspective. London: Psychology Press. 1999. Print. Read More