Even low doses significantly impair judgment, coordination, and abstract mental functioning. Statistics show that alcohol use is involved in a majority of violent behaviors on college campuses, including acquaintance rape, vandalism, fights, and incidents of drinking and driving. Continued abuse may lead to dependency, which often causes permanent damage to vital organs and deterioration of a healthy lifestyle. Extremely heavy consumption of alcohol, in a short period of time, may result in alcohol poisoning and death. The use of marijuana may impair or reduce short-term memory and comprehension, alter sense of time, and reduce coordination and energy level.
Users often have a lowered immune system and an increased risk of lung cancer.
The active ingredient in marijuana, THC, is stored in the fatty tissues of the brain and reproductive system for a minimum of 28 to 30 days. The user may experience panic, confusion, suspicion, anxiety, and loss of control. Delayed effects, or flashbacks, can occur even when use has ceased. Because the drug blocks pain receptors, violent PCP episodes may result in self-inflicted injuries. The immediate effects of cocaine use include dilated pupils and elevated blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and body temperature, followed by depression.