Wednesday, September 23, 2009

ALCOHOL & ITS EFFECTS

Carl Hart discussed the complexity of drug abuse, such as, cocaine, marijuana, alcohol, and antidepressants. Alcohol is more widely available and antidepressants are not exempt. There is a generational change, with whom find their own way. Glue sniffing prevention articles caused an increase of abusers at a rapid level, because no one new about glue sniffing until it was printed. Stimulants go in cycles: one day it could be cocaine, the next it could be amphetimines.

Dr. Nora Volkow did a teen discussion on drug abuse, and these teens listened because Dr. Volkow was well known. She stated that when you are an adolescent, that is when you learn the most, because of your brain. She talked about internet addiction and cannaboid's, too. The teens gave good feed back on her discussion.

Alcohol, a women's health issue. Was a discussion based on seven women on their road to healing. After all, genetics plays a big role in rist factors. After you get older, you need more alcohol to get the same effect as when you first started. Alcohol abuse has caused them to miss functions, and to have their children taken away. Women feel vulunerable. This causes brain, liver, and heart damage, and also breast cancer. The younger a women drinks, the greater the chance of problems with alcohol later in life.

When a family member becomes addicted to drugs or alcohol, it affects the whole family unit. No one is sure what to do or how to react. This is a often a time to practice tough love. Family members must be firm with the addict in order not to be guilty of becoming enablers for his or her addiction. When the addict reaches rock bottom, he or she may realize that it is his or her responsibility to rebuild his or her life. Now it is up to him or her to claw his of her way out of the hole he or she has dug. His or her friends and family can either help or hinder his or her efforts.