Health Risk & Effects

  • Alcohol and drug usage causes a number of marked changes in behavior. Even low doses significantly impair the judgment and coordination required to drive a car safely. Low to moderate doses of alcohol also increase the incidence of a variety of aggressive acts, including domestic violence and date rape. Moderate to high doses of alcohol cause mark impairments in higher mental functions, severely altering a person’s ability to learn and remember information. Very high doses cause respiratory depression and death. Repeated use of alcohol and drugs can lead to dependence. Sudden cessation of alcohol intake is likely to produce withdrawal symptoms, including severe anxiety, tremors, hallucinations, and convulsions. Long- term consumption of large quantities of alcohol and drugs, particularly when combined with poor nutrition, can also lead to permanent damage to vital organs such as the brain and the liver.