Drugs: An Update

Drugs: An Update

Despite drugs and alcohol being a “taboo” subject, teenagers experience major challenges due to the availability and peer pressure.

In 2018, 7.1 million young people ages 12-20 reported that they drank alcohol beyond “just a few sips” in the past month. 4.3 million young people reported binge drinking at least once in the past month.

Persons aged 18 or older who reported lifetime marijuana use, almost 53% report first using marijuana between ages 12 and 17 and about 2% report that they have first used marijuana before age 12. Unfortunately, cocaine seems to be on the rise among teenagers.

According to a National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, it was estimated that 6,222,000 US residents aged 12 and older have used cocaine at least once in their lifetime. This is EXTREMELY concerning!  Due to the uprise in cocaine use, I felt it pertinent to research the short and long-term effects.

Using cocaine creates a short-lived, intense high that is immediately followed by the opposite, which is intense depression. It also can cause edginess and the urge to have more of the drug. Lots of the people who use it don’t eat or sleep properly. Cocaine can make people feel paranoid, angry, hostile or even anxious, even if they aren’t high.  It could possibly experience a heart attack, stroke, seizure or respiratory problems, all of which these could result in possible sudden death.

Some long-term effects of cocaine include severe damage to the heart, liver and kidneys. Infectious diseases are also possible.  If people use it continuously, it could result in sleep deprivation and loss of appetite that could result in malnutrition.

Some major long-term effects include becoming deeper and deeper after each use. This effect that can get so severe that the user will do almost anything to get the drug.  If they don’t get the drug, the depression could get so intense that it could drive them to suicide.

With hearing what one vacuous decision could potentially do to you, make the right choice and stay away completely from this horrible drug.

Sources:   Drugfreeworld.com; Justice.gov’ Niaaa.nih.gov; Verywellmind.com