Most young professionals relish the end of tedious schoolwork and finishing from college or university. They find jobs, celebrate the first paycheck and begin, with enthusiasm, early forays into a career. New friends along with new behaviors come into play, cigarettes and alcohol may slowly enter their worlds. Limited by low entry pay and mobility, young adults can turn to cigarettes and alcohol for relaxation. The perception is that these can ease mind and body particularly when struggling with work challenges.

Alcohol can cause depression in some individuals. Its effects can aggravate challenges that are already facing a young person. Habitual drinkers manifest erratic behavior. Alcohol can cloud thinking. Regular alcohol drinks on lunch breaks can cause job termination. Drinking is especially dangerous when it is combined with driving. When under the influence of alcohol, some decisions can create havoc in both personal and professional aspects of life such as malversation of company funds that could result in job loss and jail time.

Smoking can cause debilitating diseases, throat and lung cancer among others. For some smokers, the habit relieves stress but it also causes irritability.  Like alcohol, it is accepted socially, to relax, and often, to appear confident. Cigarette smoking begins for many reasons – for example, to rebel, to be aggressive, and to mask insecurity. This may be particularly true when a girlfriend or boyfriend smokes, and picking up the habit may give the impression that the relationship could last longer.

Holding down a job is a sign of adulthood. To get there means being around adults who reinforce positive attitudes. Awareness that negative habits such as smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol can and has wrecked lives is important. Adulthood may imply freedom but that same freedom is about taking responsibility for oneself and others. As young professionals, the career road is long and could be winding, full of large and small challenges. It is on this road that joy and appreciation are acquired but only by avoiding some career pitfalls, namely alcohol and cigarettes.

Written by Yoli P. – The Help