Alcohol is known world-wide to be a mind-altering substance deeply inscribed with culture and historical presence. For this reason, it is not classified as an illegal drug, though it can have quite a few negative effects just like any other drug. With its many uses—both recreationally and medically—it is no wonder why alcohol is the most commonly used “drug” in the world, despite its repercussions when abused.
Alcohol does not fall under the list of controlled dangerous substances (CDS) because it is a legal substance with an age restriction of 21 years old. Alcohol is commonly used both medically and recreationally and supposedly has a lower possibility of abuse than schedule 5 drugs, such as cough syrups, and so it did not make it onto the …show more content…
Just what exactly, though, does alcohol do? Alcohol in moderation is not harmful. However, as anyone who has ever been drunk can vouch for, alcohol has the short-term effects of dizziness, nausea, vomiting, impaired judgement, and changes in behavior (sometimes to the extent of violence). What most people do not consider, though, are the long-term effects alcohol has. Alcohol can cause addiction (known as alcoholism) if used consistently in excessive amounts. Extended consumption of large amounts of alcohol can also have a multitude of physical side-effects, including heavy damage to the brain, heart, liver, pancreas, immune system, and increasing one’s risk of cancer. Children of alcoholics are also deeply affected by their parents’ alcohol abuse. They are more likely to become alcoholics themselves, have physical and mental scars, and skewed views on relationships. Pregnant women who are alcoholics also run a high risk of having children with birth defects. Alcohol is not all bad, though. It is also used medically, as bacterial disinfectants and solvents for other drugs. If one has ever had the displeasure to have hydrogen peroxide poured on a wound to disinfect it, then he or she is using alcohol medicinally. Alcohol would not have the negative stigma around it that it has today if people simply used and consumed it in moderation instead of going out
Alcohol does not fall under the list of controlled dangerous substances (CDS) because it is a legal substance with an age restriction of 21 years old. Alcohol is commonly used both medically and recreationally and supposedly has a lower possibility of abuse than schedule 5 drugs, such as cough syrups, and so it did not make it onto the …show more content…
Just what exactly, though, does alcohol do? Alcohol in moderation is not harmful. However, as anyone who has ever been drunk can vouch for, alcohol has the short-term effects of dizziness, nausea, vomiting, impaired judgement, and changes in behavior (sometimes to the extent of violence). What most people do not consider, though, are the long-term effects alcohol has. Alcohol can cause addiction (known as alcoholism) if used consistently in excessive amounts. Extended consumption of large amounts of alcohol can also have a multitude of physical side-effects, including heavy damage to the brain, heart, liver, pancreas, immune system, and increasing one’s risk of cancer. Children of alcoholics are also deeply affected by their parents’ alcohol abuse. They are more likely to become alcoholics themselves, have physical and mental scars, and skewed views on relationships. Pregnant women who are alcoholics also run a high risk of having children with birth defects. Alcohol is not all bad, though. It is also used medically, as bacterial disinfectants and solvents for other drugs. If one has ever had the displeasure to have hydrogen peroxide poured on a wound to disinfect it, then he or she is using alcohol medicinally. Alcohol would not have the negative stigma around it that it has today if people simply used and consumed it in moderation instead of going out