Have students develop a smoking cessation plan for a client.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Smoking Cessation Plan for a Client
Introduction
Smoking remains one of the leading preventable causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Developing a personalized smoking cessation plan is essential for helping clients quit smoking successfully. This plan will incorporate evidence-based strategies, behavioral support, and pharmacotherapy options to increase the likelihood of long-term abstinence.
Client Profile
Name: John Doe
Age: 35 years
Smoking History:
– Started smoking at age 18
– Currently smokes 1 pack per day
– Previous attempts to quit: 3 times (using cold turkey, nicotine patches, and counseling)
– No significant health issues but reports occasional shortness of breath
Smoking Cessation Plan
1. Set a Quit Date
– Target Quit Date: Select a quit date within the next 2 weeks to allow time for preparation.
– Commitment: Encourage John to publicly commit to quitting by informing friends, family, and coworkers.
2. Identify Triggers and Develop Coping Strategies
– Trigger Identification: Discuss with John the situations and emotions that prompt him to smoke (e.g., stress, social situations, after meals).
– Coping Strategies: Develop alternative coping mechanisms such as:- Deep breathing exercises
– Physical activity (e.g., walking, jogging)
– Engaging in hobbies or activities that distract from cravings
3. Behavioral Support
– Counseling: Recommend participation in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or support groups, either in-person or online.
– Support System: Encourage John to seek support from friends and family who can provide encouragement and accountability.
– Quitline Resources: Provide information about national or local quitlines for additional support.
4. Pharmacotherapy Options
Discuss the following evidence-based options for pharmacotherapy:
– Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT): Suggest using nicotine gum, lozenges, patches, or inhalers to manage withdrawal symptoms.
– Prescription Medications:- Bupropion (Zyban): An oral medication that can help reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
– Varenicline (Chantix): A medication that reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms while also blocking the rewarding effects of nicotine.
5. Create a Relapse Prevention Plan
– Identify High-Risk Situations: Help John identify situations that may trigger a relapse (e.g., parties, stress at work).
– Develop Action Plans: Create specific strategies for high-risk situations, such as:- Avoiding environments where smoking is prevalent.
– Practicing assertive communication to decline offers of cigarettes.
– Plan for Cravings: Discuss techniques to deal with cravings when they arise, such as using the “4 D’s” strategy:- Delay: Wait a few minutes before giving in to the craving.
– Deep Breathing: Take deep breaths to relax.
– Drink Water: Stay hydrated to distract from cravings.
– Do Something Else: Engage in a different activity to take your mind off smoking.
6. Follow-Up and Monitoring
– Regular Check-ins: Schedule follow-up appointments every week during the first month post-quit date to monitor progress and address challenges.
– Celebrate Milestones: Acknowledge achievements, such as one week or one month smoke-free, to reinforce motivation.
7. Provide Educational Resources
– Share materials about the benefits of quitting smoking, potential health improvements, and resources available for ongoing support.
Conclusion
A personalized smoking cessation plan tailored for John Doe incorporates behavioral strategies, pharmacotherapy options, and support systems aimed at achieving long-term abstinence from smoking. By addressing triggers, developing coping strategies, and providing ongoing support, this comprehensive approach enhances John’s chances of successfully quitting smoking and improving his overall health. Regular follow-ups and adjustments to the plan will ensure continued progress and motivation on his journey toward a smoke-free life.
