Alcohol and Other Drugs

Today, everyone is exposed to the temptation to try drugs. Most people experiment for curiosity, for kicks, because of peer pressure, or to escape emotional problems. Drugs change the way we act, think, and feel. Some drugs cause depression; some make users feel invincible and can make them believe that nothing can bring them down; some drugs make users feel they can do anything. These are false and unpredictable feelings.

Some of the dangers of experimenting with drugs are:

• Overdose
• Physical illness
• Accidents
• Death or disease through use of impure or unknown drugs
• Addiction
• Trouble with the law

Becoming physically or psychologically dependent may happen immediately or gradually. Life-threatening dangers exist not only when drugs are taken in excess, but also when they are taken for a long period of time or in the wrong combination. Effects also depend on how long a drug is taken, the user’s body size and attitude, and where the drug is taken. Drugs are very unpredictable and their effects on the body vary from person to person.