Drug abuse is one of the major health concerns in United States today. Drugs affect various parts of human body and impair their normal functioning. People know that drug abuse is very dangerous, but many of them don't know its exact effects. It is very important to understand the short and long term effects of drugs and alcohol abuse on human body to stay away from them. Here we will discuss about some of the effects of commonly abused drugs such as Alcohol, Marijuana and Cocaine.
Before discussing about the short and long term effects of these drugs, here is a brief overview on each drug.
Alcohol
Alcohol is among the most abused drugs in America. According to National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), more than half (51.9 percent) of Americans or 130.6 million people, aged 12 years or more were current alcohol drinkers in 2009. Alcohol is legal but a dangerous central nervous system depressant. It can be as potent as many other illicit drugs of abuse. The main problem with alcohol is that many people …show more content…
In 2009, there were 1.6 million current cocaine users aged 12 years or old.
Short term effects
Alcohol: Alcohol intoxication causes behavioral changes, impairs brain function and motor skills, alters ability to learn and remember and reduces sensitivity to pain. Alcohol intake also affects vision, narrowing down the visual field, reducing resistance to glare and decreasing the sensitivity to colors. Very high doses of alcohol can cause death. Alcohol if taken with other illicit drugs can produce life threatening effects.
Marijuana: Short term effects of Marijuana include substantial increase in the heart rate, bloodshot eyes (reddening of eyes), dry mouth and throat. Marijuana use also increases body temperature, appetite and drowsiness. Marijuana impairs the ability to drive a vehicle or work on a machine as it affects concentration, reaction time and
Before discussing about the short and long term effects of these drugs, here is a brief overview on each drug.
Alcohol
Alcohol is among the most abused drugs in America. According to National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), more than half (51.9 percent) of Americans or 130.6 million people, aged 12 years or more were current alcohol drinkers in 2009. Alcohol is legal but a dangerous central nervous system depressant. It can be as potent as many other illicit drugs of abuse. The main problem with alcohol is that many people …show more content…
In 2009, there were 1.6 million current cocaine users aged 12 years or old.
Short term effects
Alcohol: Alcohol intoxication causes behavioral changes, impairs brain function and motor skills, alters ability to learn and remember and reduces sensitivity to pain. Alcohol intake also affects vision, narrowing down the visual field, reducing resistance to glare and decreasing the sensitivity to colors. Very high doses of alcohol can cause death. Alcohol if taken with other illicit drugs can produce life threatening effects.
Marijuana: Short term effects of Marijuana include substantial increase in the heart rate, bloodshot eyes (reddening of eyes), dry mouth and throat. Marijuana use also increases body temperature, appetite and drowsiness. Marijuana impairs the ability to drive a vehicle or work on a machine as it affects concentration, reaction time and