Different substances can be taken in different ways:
Swallowed.
Smoked.
Snorted through the nose.
Inhaled.
Injected.
Absorbed through the skin or other routes.
Not every substance can be taken safely or effectively by every route. The method of use can also change how quickly a drug acts and how dangerous it may be.
Small correction to your notes: the word you want is probably snorted, rather than "snogged".
4. How drugs and alcohol can affect people
Drugs and alcohol can affect physical health, mental wellbeing and everyday functioning.
Possible effects include:
Changes to the skin and appearance.
Changes in mood and emotions.
Changes in behaviour.
Memory and concentration difficulties.
Problems with attention and decision-making.
Slurred speech.
Reduced coordination and balance.
Changes in breathing and heart function.
The effects depend on the substance, dose, frequency of use and individual circumstances.
5. Short-term effects of drugs and alcohol
Short-term effects are those that happen during or soon after substance use.
They can include:
Area | Possible effects |
|---|---|
Physical health | Nausea, vomiting, dizziness, changes in heart rate and breathing. |
Mental health | Anxiety, panic, paranoia, confusion or hallucinations. |
Behaviour | Impaired judgement, impulsive decisions and increased risk-taking. |
Coordination | Poor balance, slower reactions and difficulty walking. |
Memory | Blackouts, confusion and difficulty remembering events. |
Safety | Accidents, injuries, poisoning and overdose. |
Not every substance causes all these effects. Some effects are more closely associated with particular drugs.
Alcohol and immediate risks
Alcohol can affect judgement, coordination and reactions. This can increase the risk of:
Road traffic accidents.
Falls and other injuries.
Drowning.
Violence and other dangerous situations.
Alcohol poisoning.
Serious injury or death.
Alcohol-related harm can also involve sexual violence and assault. It is important to make clear that responsibility for sexual assault always lies with the person committing it, not the victim.
6. Underage drinking in the United States
The CDC reports that alcohol is the most commonly used drug among people under 21 in the United States.
It estimates that approximately 4,000 young people under 21 die each year from excessive alcohol use. These deaths include both direct and indirect effects. For example, a young person might die in a road accident involving an alcohol-impaired driver.
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism also provides a breakdown of deaths involving young people, including motor vehicle crashes, homicide, suicide and other alcohol-related injuries.
This is an important distinction for your textbook: it does not mean that all 4,000 young people were drinking themselves. Alcohol can contribute to deaths involving other people's drinking too.
7. Long-term effects
You could introduce this as your next section.
Long-term effects can develop through repeated substance use or prolonged exposure. Depending on the substance, they may include:
Liver, heart and lung problems.
Changes in brain function and memory.
Dependence or addiction.
Mental health difficulties.
Problems with relationships and employment.
Financial difficulties.
Increased risk of certain diseases.
Not everyone who uses a substance develops these problems. However, repeated use and certain patterns of use can increase the risks.
My suggestions for improving your material
I would make three things particularly clear throughout your book:
1. Legal does not mean risk-free. Prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines and alcohol can all cause harm when used incorrectly or excessively.
2. Illegal drugs are not all the same. Heroin, cocaine and other substances have different effects, risks and patterns of use.
3. People should not be judged. Substance use, dependence and addiction can affect people from different backgrounds, ages and circumstances, including disabled people and people with mental health conditions.
I also think it is important to distinguish between drug use, harmful use, dependence and substance use disorder. They are related, but they do not all mean the same thing.
Your material is developing into a useful foundation for a chapter called Understanding Drugs and Alcohol: Categories, Effects and Health Risks.
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