| It all happened to us. Quench a growing
| |
| | world to kill yourself, kill perfect
|
| thirst by satisfying the prevailing need
| |
| | strangers, family members and children.
|
| to refresh our bodies. A night out in a
| |
| | You think it gives you a new life, but it
|
| bar on a hot summer evening, who wouldn't
| |
| | only ends life."
|
| give in to the little pleasures of
| |
| | Unfortunately, much of their efforts are
|
| quietly sipping a delightful Pina Colada,
| |
| | countered by the alcohol industry itself.
|
| carefully prepared by a talented
| |
| | Quite obviously, alcohol is a thriving
|
| bartender? It's so delicious, why not
| |
| | industry generating huge profits for
|
| have another one? The alcohol is barely
| |
| | brewing companies. Their advertising
|
| noticeable, so what could be the harm?
| |
| | capabilities are much more developed, due
|
| You give in to temptation one more time,
| |
| | to their large budgets and influence.
|
| and take a third one. The effects of
| |
| | Therefore, the number of alcohol-related
|
| alcohol rapidly begin to show themselves,
| |
| | advertisements (beer, wine, liquor, etc.)
|
| but this doesn't stop you from taking one
| |
| | greatly outnumbers those for awareness.
|
| last Pina Colada, you know, just for the
| |
| | Furthermore, alcohol is currently
|
| ride back home. That's all you remember
| |
| | portrayed in music videos, sporting
|
| of your night the next day. A throbbing
| |
| | events (through sponsorships) and on
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| headache awakes you in the morning, a
| |
| | objects of any kind. This only increases
|
| horrid breath, all of this accompanied by
| |
| | the visibility of alcohol-based products,
|
| the familiar sensation of queasiness.
| |
| | hence reaching out towards a younger
|
| It's no secret, alcohol is a common
| |
| | audience, which is rarely of drinking
|
| beverage served in social gatherings,
| |
| | age.
|
| parties, homes and even in religious
| |
| | "Recent advertising expenditures in the
|
| celebrations. Therefore, it is anything
| |
| | United States for beer, wine, and liquor
|
| but surprising that the general
| |
| | combined ($1.9 billion) totalled over 10
|
| perception on the dangers of alcohol is
| |
| | times the amount spent on milk ads
|
| underestimated and anything but worrisome
| |
| | ($137.7 million).
|
| for some. Alcohol is generally thought of
| |
| | Source: TNS Media Intelligence/CMR, 2004
|
| as being a beverage that "relaxes the
| |
| | and Agricultural Marketing Service, 2002
|
| atmosphere." Furthermore, brand names and
| |
| | "Each year, college students spend
|
| alcoholic percentage come into play as to
| |
| | approximately $5.5 billion on alcohol-
|
| the pricing of such beverages. Overall,
| |
| | more than they spend on soft drinks,
|
| finding alcohol to drink is easy,
| |
| | milk, juice, tea, coffee and books
|
| relatively inexpensive, but most
| |
| | combined."
|
| importantly, it's legal.
| |
| | Source: Drug Strategies, 1999
|
| *Alcohol, a Real Drug*
| |
| | "Young people view approximately 20,000
|
| Categorically, we are quick to be
| |
| | commercials each year, of which nearly
|
| judgemental about those who are addicted
| |
| | 2,000 are for beer and wine."
|
| to drugs (marijuana, cocaine, heroine,
| |
| | Source: Strasburger & Donnerstein, 1999
|
| methamphetamine, etc.). Nevertheless, we
| |
| | Alcohol Addiction, a.k.a Alcoholic
|
| don't stop there. Many don't truly grasp
| |
| | Alcohol dependence is a growing issue in
|
| and understand the reasons that may push
| |
| | our modern society. Contrarily to a drug
|
| someone towards substance abuse, and are
| |
| | addict, an alcoholic doesn't face the
|
| unable to realize the difficulty the drug
| |
| | same type of pressure from his entourage.
|
| addict faces in quitting. However, when
| |
| | It is much easier to dissimulate an
|
| someone becomes an alcoholic, we tend to
| |
| | alcohol addiction than a cocain
|
| tolerate and accept this fact with much
| |
| | addiction. By attending social events,
|
| more ease. Yet, alcohol is a drug. Few
| |
| | the alcoholic doesn't feel the need to
|
| actually believe it, but it is.
| |
| | hide his addiction, since everyone around
|
| To fully grasp the hazards of alcohol,
| |
| | him/her is also drinking. Also, due to
|
| it will be compared to the widely known
| |
| | the predominant idea that an alcohol
|
| drug Marijuana. We already know that
| |
| | addiction isn't all that bad, because
|
| alcohol is legal. Everyone 18 years and
| |
| | alcohol is legal, the alcoholic doesn't
|
| older in Quebec may freely buy any
| |
| | feel such an urging need to recognize his
|
| desired quantity. The age limit in other
| |
| | addiction and solve this problem.
|
| provinces varies according to provincial
| |
| | The beverage alcohol (scientifically
|
| legislature. In the United States of
| |
| | known as ethyl alcohol or ethanol) is
|
| America, it takes 21 years of age to
| |
| | produced by fermenting or distilling
|
| legally possess any alcoholic beverage.
| |
| | various fruits, vegetables, or grains.
|
| Marijuana is illegal nationwide to
| |
| | Ethyl alcohol itself is a clear and
|
| consume and cultivate, and perpetrators
| |
| | colourless liquid. All of the alcoholic
|
| are severely punished for this offence by
| |
| | beverages get their distinctive colours
|
| the police forces. As a drug, Marijuana
| |
| | from the diluents, additives, and
|
| does pose health risks to individuals,
| |
| | by-products of fermentation.
|
| hence it is downright correct for it to
| |
| | There are two main types of alcoholic
|
| be illegal. Many teenagers have already
| |
| | dependence: psychological and physical.
|
| consumed Marijuana, since they
| |
| | Nevertheless, a long-term drug abuse
|
| particularly enjoy the "highs" it gives
| |
| | still poses serious health risks, such as
|
| them. Predictably, they equally enjoy
| |
| | severe liver damage and a noticeable
|
| drinking alcohol and partying over
| |
| | increase for heart disease and failure.
|
| weekends.
| |
| | The Fetal Alcohol Syndrome may result if
|
| "It's liquid courage, I can pick up
| |
| | a pregnant woman drinks alcohol
|
| women, I can get in fights and feel no
| |
| | throughout her pregnancy. The child is
|
| pain," reported a former alcoholic.
| |
| | born with facial abnormalities and may
|
| Below is a table demonstrating the known
| |
| | experience growth retardation.
|
| effects of alcohol and Marijuana on the
| |
| | A psychological dependence on alcohol
|
| human body:
| |
| | mainly refers to a craving for alcohol's
|
| ##Alcohol##
| |
| | psychological effects, without
|
| Status: Legal
| |
| | necessarily requiring amounts for a
|
| Side effects*:
| |
| | serious alcoholic intoxication. It is
|
| -Slower reflexes
| |
| | also possible for such an addiction to
|
| -Fewer inhibitions
| |
| | occur to individuals consuming alcohol
|
| -Increased confidence
| |
| | only during certain circumstances, such
|
| -Reduced coordination
| |
| | as prior, during and after a social
|
| -Slurred speech
| |
| | occasion. For psychologically dependent
|
| -Intense moods
| |
| | drinkers, the lack of alcohol tends to
|
| -Confusion
| |
| | make them anxious and, in some cases,
|
| -Blurred vision
| |
| | panicky. This particular type of
|
| -Poor muscle control
| |
| | dependence isn't as damaging and harmful
|
| -Nausea-Vomiting
| |
| | as physical dependence, since the
|
| -Possibly coma or death
| |
| | individual is relying on the alcohol to
|
| *Depending on volume of alcohol consumed
| |
| | help him/her reduce their inhibitions and
|
| ##Marijuana##
| |
| | increase their confidence.
|
| Status: Illegal
| |
| | A former addict declared, "I am so much
|
| Side effects:
| |
| | of a coward, that I need a drink before
|
| -Memory and learning problems
| |
| | ANYTHING."
|
| -Distorted perception
| |
| | Physical dependence occurs mainly in
|
| -Difficulty thinking and solving
| |
| | heavy drinkers. They are prime targets
|
| problems
| |
| | for this type of addiction, since they
|
| -Bloodshot eyes
| |
| | continually resort to excessive drinking
|
| -Dry mouth and throat
| |
| | to "escape" from a problem. Over time,
|
| -Faster heartbeat and pulse rate
| |
| | their bodies have developed a tolerance
|
| By looking at the side effects of both
| |
| | to the presence of alcohol in the
|
| drugs, Marijuana appears to be a mild
| |
| | bloodstream. So, if they suddenly decide
|
| drug when compared to alcohol. Even
| |
| | to quit cold turkey, they will suffer
|
| though the side effects of alcohol vary
| |
| | from withdrawal symptoms ranging from
|
| according to the amount of alcohol
| |
| | jumpiness, sweating, sleeplessness,
|
| ingested, we rarely limit ourselves to a
| |
| | convulsions, poor appetite,
|
| single glass. Age, sex, body build and
| |
| | hallucinations, and sometimes even death.
|
| metabolism are also factors influencing
| |
| |
|
| the effects of alcohol on an individual.
| |
| | Both types of dependencies foster
|
| *Alcohol in our Society*
| |
| | violence and/or deterioration of personal
|
| Nevertheless, the outreach of alcohol
| |
| | relationships. Young minds can suffer
|
| extends far beyond the boundaries of our
| |
| | dearly from alcohol abuse, since it will
|
| bodies. Since it is legal, millions of
| |
| | interfere with their schooling, career
|
| alcoholic beverages are served daily
| |
| | goals, and may eventually lead to
|
| across North America in local pubs, bars
| |
| | unemployment.
|
| and clubs. Not only does this alcohol
| |
| | Solving the Problem
|
| consumption lead to decreased
| |
| | Being afflicted with any type of
|
| inhibitions, it also paves the road for
| |
| | addiction is never easy. Even if
|
| sexual harassment issues and undesired
| |
| | initially it was a personal choice to try
|
| sexual acts, which may undoubtedly lead
| |
| | the addictive substance, few actually
|
| to the spreading of sexually transmitted
| |
| | wished or even thought of becoming
|
| diseases (STD). Violent acts and numerous
| |
| | addicted. It is most difficult for
|
| assaults are repeatedly being reported to
| |
| | alcoholics to quit on their own, for like
|
| the police, and in many cases, both
| |
| | all of the other drugs, there are
|
| victim and culprit were under the
| |
| | unpleasant withdrawal symptoms associated
|
| influence of alcohol.
| |
| | with quitting. The discomfort and
|
| "Forty percent of people convicted of
| |
| | disquieting feeling experienced while
|
| violent victimizations (sexual assault,
| |
| | quitting is of little encouragement for a
|
| robbery, homicide, aggravated assault,
| |
| | drug addict. Yet, there are other
|
| and simple assault) and 25 percent of
| |
| | possibilities.
|
| victims had been drinking at the time of
| |
| | No one has to go through this
|
| the event."
| |
| | determining step of his or her life
|
| source: Bureau of Justice Statistics,
| |
| | alone. Drug rehabilitation centers are
|
| 1998
| |
| | there to support and help the individual
|
| "Alcohol is closely linked with
| |
| | accomplish his goal: overcome his/her
|
| violence. About 40 percent of all crimes
| |
| | addiction. Choosing the right drug
|
| (violent and non-violent) are committed
| |
| | detoxification treatment is of capital
|
| under the influence of alcohol."
| |
| | importance, so as to give the individual
|
| source: Bureau of Justice Statistics,
| |
| | the best tools and opportunities to
|
| 1998
| |
| | completely eliminate his/her addiction
|
| Individuals may also feel confident and
| |
| | from his/her life.
|
| unflustered by the thought of driving
| |
| | Among the many types of drug
|
| home drunk. Drinking and driving is a
| |
| | rehabilitations programs available,
|
| serious issue in North America,
| |
| | Narconon offers a unique, 100% natural,
|
| destroying families, ruining friendships
| |
| | biophysical drug treatment program.
|
| and generating exorbitant financial
| |
| | Without using any substitute drugs,
|
| problems. The news channels always seem
| |
| | Narconon's program is specifically
|
| to have new footage to demonstrate the
| |
| | targeted at eliminating drug residues
|
| horrid scenes resulting from a fatal car
| |
| | from the body. By diminishing the
|
| accident caused by a drunk driver. Not
| |
| | withdrawal symptoms to their lowest
|
| only does the drunk driver put his own
| |
| | levels, the individual gradually regains
|
| life in peril, he is equally an impending
| |
| | his composure and awareness of his
|
| threat to all of those travelling at that
| |
| | surroundings. Both the physical and
|
| very moment. Statistics for
| |
| | psychological aspects of drug addiction
|
| alcohol-related crashes are alarmingly
| |
| | are addressed in the Narconon program, so
|
| high, truly worrisome and necessitate our
| |
| | that the individual may go on to live a
|
| immediate attention.
| |
| | drug-free lifestyle after completion of
|
| "Approximately 1.4 million drivers were
| |
| | the program.
|
| arrested in 2003 for driving under the
| |
| | Hopefully, alcohol will play a less
|
| influence of alcohol or narcotics. This
| |
| | important role in our lives as the years
|
| is an arrest rate of 1 for every 135
| |
| | go by, awareness among the population
|
| licensed drivers in the United States of
| |
| | will significantly increase, and drunk
|
| America."
| |
| | driving will no longer be a pressing
|
| Source: NHTSA, 2005
| |
| | issue. By recognizing the direct and
|
| "About three in ten Americans will be
| |
| | indirect impacts alcohol has on our
|
| involved in an alcohol-related crash at
| |
| | lives, we can more easily understand how
|
| some time in their lives."
| |
| | many lives are shattered due to substance
|
| Source: NHTSA, 2001
| |
| | abuse. Eventually, we will all look past
|
| On the other hand, non-profit
| |
| | this false barrier of security, and see
|
| organizations, drug rehabilitation and
| |
| | alcohol for what it really is.
|
| prevention centers and numerous other
| |
| | References:
|
| volunteers are continually seeking to
| |
| | Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)
|
| educate and spread awareness among the
| |
| |
|
| population on the effects of alcohol. Be
| |
| | California Narcotic Officer's
|
| it by advertising campaigns, through drug
| |
| | Association
|
| prevention conferences or simply by
| |
| |
|
| conversation, these organizations wish to
| |
| | Bureau of Justice Statistics (U.S.A
|
| reduce and ultimately, eliminate the
| |
| | Government)
|
| threat alcohol poses to our daily lives.
| |
| |
|
| A former alcoholic explained, "Alcohol
| |
| | National Highway Traffic Safety
|
| is the most widely accepted way in the
| |
| | Association
|
