Alcohol, Smoking and Drugs - 1160 Words

Alcohol, Smoking and Drugs Before anyone ever takes a hit, or a drink, or a smoke, there is a decision made in the mind - a healthy decision or an unhealthy one. Sometimes as ourselves making a healthy choice is hard because we are tired, stressed, angry, pressured, or influenced by another person - e.g why we end up eating chocolate instead of fruit as eating things like chocolate stimulates our minds. As nicotine is legal to take at the age of 16 by law it has become a well known behaviour for 16 year olds and sometimes younger individuals to do. Its also socially acceptable within a crowd at school and is almost promoted by older peers and even role models in the media. Suggested reasons for the use of alcohol and tobacco fall into†¦show more content†¦I am asked a lot if I want a cigarette and I always say ‘no’ and occasionally I get grief for it but if don’t want something I won’t have it. Its almost a habit with them and they find it hard to come to terms with the problems they may face in the future. Drinking influences smoking more than smoking influences drinking. Smokers are 1.32 times more likely to consume alcohol as are non smokers. Drug use interferes with young peoples ability to learn and improve those skills. Whether its alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana, or other illegal drugs, the bottom line holds true: teens who use drugs put their future in danger. Here are a few facts on drugs Almost 1/3 of teens report that they have used illegal drugs at some point in their lives. Using alcohol and tobacco at a young age - especially before secondary school-increases the risk for using other drugs later, such as marijuana and cocaine.. Over one quarter of secondary school students report that they have been offered, given, or sold an illegal drug on school grounds. Poor judgment while using drugs puts us teens at risk for car crashes, falls, drownings, violence, unplanned and unsafe sex, and suicide. Drug use can cause serious immediate and/or long-term damage to the brain, liver, kidney, heart, and lungs - just to name a few. Drugs (illegal or psychoactive) offer ways to alter our everyday consciousness. Near where I live in somersetShow MoreRelatedEffects Of Alcohol And Nicotine On Drugs1589 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction Smoking and alcohol are often used together. The use of these drugs gives a sense of relief of stress and euphoria due to their effects on neurotransmitters. Though the initial use of these drugs ranges from self-medication to peer pressure, excessive use of these drugs can lead to dependence of both drugs. Drug dependence may be connected to the effects of the drugs’ tolerance, withdrawal symptoms and sensitization of the drug (Little 2000). The American Lung Association reports thatRead MoreShould Marijuana Be Legalized?1315 Words   |  6 PagesThe Foundation for a Drug Free World, marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug in the United States; however after years of studies this drug is still illegal in almost all states while alcohol and tobacco continues to claim thousands of lives every year (n.d). Don’t get the wrong idea, this is not to persuade you into thinking that smoking weed or eating a marijuana brownie does not have its disadvantages. However the idea is to get you to understand and see that smoking marijuana is no differenceRead MorePeer Pressure Essay693 Words   |  3 Pageswhat it feels like to be pressured by a peer. Peer pressure today impacts on kids of my generation in a huge aspect. Teenagers feel social pressure in numerous ways such as clothing, music and entertainment choices, to unsafe areas such as drugs, alcohol and smoking. During adolescence, kids emphasize their independe nce and explore their identity. Yet they still crave the approval of their peers and worry about being rejected and excluded. Peer pressure affects the way teenagers choose to live theirRead MoreAddiction Is A Condition Of Substance Use Disorder1523 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction In recent years, there has been increasing concerns about the frequent and excessive misuse of alcohol by adolescents (Jones Gregory, 2009), and younger adolescents are starting to consume greater amounts of alcohol (Smith Foxcroft, 2009). This brings up the issue of addiction. Addiction is a condition whereby an individual is both mentally and physically dependent on a substance or activity to the extent of compulsivity and it negatively impacts various aspects of his life. As definedRead MoreShould Marijuana Be Legalized?1535 Words   |  7 PagesLegalization Marijuana is the most widely used illicit drug in the United States, according to Jordan Bechtold. 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For the sake of enjoymentRead MoreMillennium Cohort Study704 Words   |  3 Pagescomponent. Compared to Service members, majority of the veterans group at baseline were older and in active duty component. Additionally, smoking prevalence at baseline was also higher in veterans (19.5%) than in service members (15.2%). Both Service members and veterans showed a decline, 5.9% and 6.9%, respectively, in smoking prevalence over time while prevalence of smoking stayed significantly higher in veterans (baseline: 19.5%, time 1: 16.7%, time 2: 15.2%, time 3: 12.6%) than in service members (15Read MoreEssay on Teratogen Affects on Pregnancy953 Words   |  4 PagesChapter 2 Teratogens: Drugs- smoking p 50 Part II Chapter 2 Teratogens: Drugs- behavioral problem w/smoking p 51 Part II Chapter 2 Teratogens: Drugs- Child Behavioral Problems w/drinking p.52 Part II Chapter 2 Teratogens: Drugs- FAS p 51 Part II There are many potential adverse effects of drugs on prenatal development. Drugs are not only dangerousRead MoreEffects Of The Criminalization Of Alcohol On America During The 1920s1555 Words   |  7 PagesThis essay aims to show that if alcohol is legal, cannabis should be also. To do so I will compare the effects both substances have on the health of their users. I will then examine how much scientific evidence has been used when criminalizing marijuana and whether that evidence is still applicable today. Finally, I will analyze the effects of the criminalization of alcohol in America during the 1920s. I will use this case to show that the misguided prohibition of alcohol is comparable to the currentRead MoreScreening For Alcohol And Drug Use For Prenatal Care901 Words   |  4 Pagesabout 250 Women in 30 states have been criminally prosecuted in relation to drug abuse while pregnant.† (Coles, par 16) Since there isn’t a law in place for a woman being convicted for drinking or smoking while pregnant, they dig a little deeper and get more technical. Charges for unlawful child neglect, delivering drugs to a minor, homicide by child abuse and even manslaughter have been given to mothers who abuse drugs or alcohol while pregnant. Some even believe in terminating the woman’s parental rights