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Psychodelic Drugs
Psychodelic Drugs Psychodelic Drugs Alcohol Alcohol is one of the most widely used drugs in this society. It is accepted as a part of social life. Its use is widely promoted via sponsorship of sporting events. Advertising infers that drinking is the path to happiness, success, romance, etc. There are references to alcohol and its effects from earliest known writings. Alcohol is consumed in the beverage form and sold legally in this state to persons over 21. Alcohol is absorbed directly into the bloodstream through the stomach and small intestine. It is distributed by the blood throughout the body, affecting literally every organ it touches in a matter of minutes. Enzymes in the liver metabolize alcohol at a rate of 10-15 ml (less than one half ounce) per hour. Hence, only time can sober someone up. Coffee, cold showers, or exercise do not work. The warm glow of disinhibition, "letting go" is a major desired effect of alcohol. People feel more sociable and talkative with small amounts of the drug. Alcohol is a relaxant, so many people drink to unwind from the demands of life. Because alcohol has been around for so long, its effects are well-known. Two key concepts to understand in dealing with alcohol use and abuse are impairment and tolerance. They are both problems in themselves and signals of possible additional difficulties. IMPAIRMENT refers to the deficits in performance, judgment, memory, and motor skills which occur because of alcohol consumption. Impairment becomes noticeable at blood levels of 0.05%, which can occur when as few as two drinks are consumed in an hour by a 160 pound person. The deceptive part about impairment is that, by definition, impaired judgment cannot recognize its own impairment. The individual thinks he or she is functioning well, when actually s/he is not. Later, there is impaired memory of the impaired performance. TOLERANCE means that a drug loses some of its effect with repeated use, and that higher and higher doses are needed. It is the body's way of adapting to having a foreign substance in the system. People develop a high tolerance to alcohol when they drink a great deal over an extended length of time. "WHILE TOLERANCE MAY SEEM TO SOME TO BE A DESIRABLE STATE, IT SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASES THE RISK OF ALCOHOLISM AND LONG-TERM HEALTH AND SOCIAL PROBLEMS". For example, a heavy drinker could still be lucid at 0.25%, whereas the average person would barely be able to function. Even so, the heavy drinker would be extremely dangerous on the highway. Thirteen percent of male and five percent of female college students nationwide are alcoholic. Persons are considered alcoholic if they exhibit three or more of the following symptoms for more than one month, or if the symptoms get repeated over a longer period of time: 1.Alcohol is consumed in greater quantities or for longer periods of time than the person intended; 2.The individual has a persistent desire to control or eliminate drinking, or has made one or more unsuccessful efforts to do this (for example, there are resolutions to "cut down," but these efforts disappear after a period of time); 3.Considerable time is spent in obtaining, using, or recovering from alcohol and its effects; 4.Intoxication or its aftereffects (e.g., hangovers) frequently occur at times when the person is expected to fulfill work, family or school obligations; or there is physically hazardous use (e.g., while driving); 5.The individual gives up or reduces social, recreational or job-related activities because of alcohol use; 6.Drinking continues despite the knowledge that alcohol causes the person to have social, psychological or medical problems; 7.Significantly increased tolerance has developed; 8.Withdrawal symptoms occur when initially attempting abstinence (e.g., flu-like symptoms, headaches, gastrointestinal distress, sweatiness, mood swings, irritability, anxiety); 9.Alcohol or other drugs are used to ward off the withdrawal. Other long-term medical problems include high blood pressure, increased ri... This is ONLY a preview of the article. If you would like to view the entire document, you must subscribe to Academic Library. Please register below now!
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