dshelden


 * __Alcohol & Drug Abuse__**
 * Alcohol: Effects on Safety**
 * __Accidental injuries__- more than ½ of drowning & fatal falls are alcohol/drug related. 45% of E.R. visits are alcohol related. ½ of all physical injuries sustained on college campuses is from alcohol use.
 * __Drinking & driving__- small amt of alcohol is unsafe! Almost ½ of all fatal auto crashes are alcohol/drug related & one-third of boating fatalities are alcohol related.
 * __STD/AIDS__- most likely to ignore safety precautions (condoms) while under the influence
 * __Unwanted pregnancy__- this is also a risk of substance abuse.
 * __Fights__- can get hurt & arrested. Two-thirds of violent behavior on college campuses involves alcohol.
 * Alcohol: On your Health**
 * __Hangovers__- drinking too much will cause headaches, nausea, vomiting, aches & pains
 * __Weight gain__- alcohol is not water; has calories that provide few nutrients
 * __Depressed immune system__- contract viral illnesses (flu and infections)
 * __Cancer__- upper digestive tract cancers are the most common, hitting the esophagus, mouth, larynx, and pharynx. Women can develop breast cancer. It can also cause skin cancer drinking slightly more than moderate levels.
 * __Liver disease__- fatty liver, hepatitis, cirrhosis, & cancer of the liver.
 * __Alcohol poisoning__- causes unconsciousness & even death. Breathing slows, skin becomes cold & blue.
 * Drugs: On your Health**
 * __Barbiturates/Tranquilizers__- nausea, seizures, & coma.
 * __Cocaine__- cause long term problems like tremors, seizures, psychosis, & heart/respiratory failure.
 * __LSD__- nausea, rapid heart rate, depression, disorientation, paranoia, & psychosis.
 * __Marijuana/Hashish__- rapid heart rate, memory impairment. Long term use causes cognitive problems, infertility, weak immune system, & possible lung damage.
 * __Narcotics__- respiratory/circulatory depression, dizziness, impotence, constipation, & withdrawal sickness.
 * __PCP__- unpredictable & violent behavior, dizziness, numbness, high heart rate/blood pressure, convulsions, fatal heart/lung failure, & ruptured blood vessels.
 * __Stimulants__- high heart rate/blood pressure, headache, blurred vision, dizziness, impotence, skin disorders, tremors, seizures, & psychosis.
 * __Substance Abuse & Addiction__**
 * __Poor school performance__- grades go down while alcohol consumption increases.
 * __Poor work performance__- miss work days, less productive, have more problem w/ their boss, & make more mistakes.
 * __Relationship trouble__- change social groups, unable to maintain long term friendships, & they alienate themselves from others to hide consumption.
 * __Personality changes__- have drastic personality changes, a quiet person can become boisterous/obnoxious/violent, lose interest in job, friends, & lives.

http://www.med.unc.edu/alcohol/prevention/effects.html