Drugs and Alcohol Project

Alcohol
Fermented grain, fruit juice and honey have been used to make alcohol. In the sixteenth
century, alcohol (called spirits) was used largely for medicinal purposes. Today, an estimated
15 million Americans suffer from alcoholism and 40% of all car accident deaths in the US
involve alcohol. There are many reason why people start drinking, for some it was because they
wanted to fit in and seem grown up, they are doing it for fun, but for others they have problems
which leads them in into alcohol. When you take in a large amount it slows you down you when
you take in a bigger amount, there is a chance that it could kill you. Alcohol was first made in
Greece that gained a lot of popularity. It is commonly used in many cultures.
Alcohol are soluble in water this is because the hydroxyl group that is able to form hydrogen
bonds with water molecules. As the length of the hydrocarbon chain increases, the solubility in
water decreases. Some of the chemical components are when the alcohol burns into the
oxygen and then produces carbon dioxide and water. There is some long term health effects for
example when you have excessive alcohol it could lead into chronic disease and other serious
problems including High blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, liver disease, and digestive
problems. There are many programs you can enter to get some help, alcoholics with good
health, social support, and motivation, the likelihood of recovery is good. About 50% to 60%
remain abstinent at the end of a year's treatment and a majority of those stay dry permanently.
Marijuana
Marijuana is the dried leaves, flowers, stems, and seeds from the hemp plant, Cannabis
sativa. Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug in the United States, mostly used by
young teens. Legalization of marijuana for medical use or adult recreational use in a growing
number of states may affect these views. It was first brought in 1545 by the Spanish people and
introduced it to the New World. Before marijuana has been used as an ancient for achievement
euphoria since ancient times. Marijuana is grown and trafficked all over the world, while
cannabis seized in the United States it is either grown domestically or smuggled from Mexico or
Canada. There is also other countries that produce and distribute marijuana to the U.S like
Colombia, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Thailand, South Africa, and Nigeria.
Marijuana has both short- and long-term effects on the brain. Some of the physical
effects are breathing problems, increase in heartbeat, and some mental effects some can be
temporary and some are life- time effects. Some of the effects it does to someones life is a
lower life satisfaction, poorer mental health, poorer physical health, and relationship problems.
There are over 400 chemicals in marijuana, but only 61 of them are unique to the Cannabis
plant which are called cannabinoids.
On average, adults seeking treatment for marijuana use disorders have used marijuana
nearly every day for more than 10 years and have attempted to quit more than six times. People
with marijuana use disorders, especially adolescents, often also suffer from other psychiatric
disorders (comorbidity). So there are some treatments available like Cognitive-behavioral
therapy, Contingency management, and Motivational enhancement therapy.