Why Do Teens Use Hallucinogenic Alcohol

Words: 1130
Pages: 5
Open Document
In the world today, drug and alcohol abuse is becoming increasingly common. Alcohol has become a large part of the American lifestyle. It is common for someone to have a few drinks during a ball game, or on the weekend with friends. Some enjoy a glass of wine for dinner or in celebration of a big event. While this behavior is not considered abusive, patterns of continuous drinking can present a negative impact on a person's life. Drugs and alcohol are beginning to be used recreationally by today's teenage population. many teens try drugs or alcohol for the first time as a result of peer pressure. Over 90 percent of teens admit to using alcohol, 17 percent admit to using cocaine, and 12.5 percent admit to using some sort of hallucinogenic …show more content…
Slowed vital functions result in slurred speech, unsteady movement, inability to react quickly, and distorted perceptions. Alcohol is absorbed into the body through small blood vessels in the stomach wall. It takes minutes for the alcohol to travel from the stomach to the brain and to begin affecting the brain's nerve cells. Alcohol in the bloodstream is also carried to the liver, where it is eliminated from the blood and converted to a nontoxic substance. The liver cannot convert all alcohol at once, so some alcohol stays in the bloodstream for a longer period of time. This is why larger amounts of consumed alcohol have a more harmful effect on the body. When the blood alcohol level gets too high, the respiratory system is slowed due to lack of oxygen reaching the brain, resulting in coma or death. Binge drinking is consuming large amounts of alcohol in one session. Binge drinking can lead to alcohol dependency, or alcoholism, which can be characterized by a craving for alcohol, inability to limit one's drinking, or a physical dependence, experiencing withdrawals when one tries to go without drinking (The Truth About Alcohol, …show more content…
People who abuse alcohol, tobacco and illegal drugs have cost the United Stated government over 600 billion dollars each year in expenses related to crime, lost work productivity and healthcare. In healthcare expenses alone, alcohol is responsible for 30 billion dollars, drugs are responsible for 11 billion dollars and tobacco is responsible for 96 billion dollars (Trends & Statistics, 1). Another negative effect on society, is the increase of deaths in America due to driving while intoxicated. In 2007, 1,393 people lost their lives due to drunk driving. That number averages to 4 deaths per day. Car wrecks are the leading cause of deaths among teenagers and 31 percent of teen drivers killed were under the influence of alcohol (The Truth About Alcohol,
Show More

Related Documents: Why Do Teens Use Hallucinogenic Alcohol

Drugs In American Society

named Albert Hofmann developed what he called LSD-25 or Lysergic Acid Diethylamide. This is what we now all know as the psychedelic drug LSD or “Acid”. Although this was the year it was created, it was not until 1943 that Hofmann discovered the hallucinogenic effects of the drug. After an accidental ingestion of a very small dose Hofmann decided to ingest 25 mg of LSD, an amount he thought would have no effect on him. He soon realized that this chemical was much more powerful than he expected. As he…

Words 961 - Pages 4

The Social Impact of Drug Abuse Essay

Num ber 2 THE SOCIAL IMPACT OF DRUG ABUSE This study was originally prepared by UNDCP as a position paper for the World Summit for Social Development (Copenhagen, 6-12 March 1995) Contents Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Chapter Part one: background I. The drug problem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 A. B. C. D. E. The…

Words 24383 - Pages 98