Low doses can also impair judgment and coordination required to drive a car safely, placing the driver and others at risk of injury. At higher levels, alcohol impairs the functioning of one's vital organs and can result in coma or death. If combined with other depressants, much lower doses of alcohol can produce the effects just described. Repeated use of alcohol can lead to dependence. Sudden interruption of alcohol intake can produce withdrawal symptoms, including severe anxiety, tremors, hallucinations, and convulsions.
Alcohol withdrawal can be life threatening.
Prolonged and excessive use of alcohol, especially when combined with poor nutrition, can cause progressive damage to vital organs. Mothers who drink during pregnancy may give birth to infants with fetal alcohol syndrome. In may cases FAS infants have physical abnormalities and mental retardation. Marijuana is an illegal drug that impairs memory, perception, judgement and hand-eye coordination skills. This finding has significant implications for students and institutions of higher learning.