Drugs and Alcohol 101: The Facts You Need to Know
Through the years, Americans鈥 view of alcohol and drugs has changed. While alcohol was once prohibited, it鈥檚 now an accepted part of culture. Marijuana is making a similar transition. Regardless of how you feel about each, alcohol and drug use pose a substantial problem.听
鈥淢ost people don鈥檛 read the fine print,鈥 says Mashal Khan, M.D., psychiatrist, associate professor of Clinical Psychiatry and associate program director of Addiction Psychology Fellowship at 富二代成版人app. 鈥淚 wish everyone was informed, but few fully understand the substances they put into their bodies.鈥听
Before you use alcohol or drugs, here鈥檚 what you should know about each.听
Drugs Evolve Over Time听
Though the name of drugs stay the same, their potency changes. Marijuana is a clear example.听听
THC is the substance in marijuana that gives you a high. In recent decades, the amount of THC in marijuana has increased exponentially. According to , marijuana had less than 2% THC before 1990. Some strains in California are now as high as 45%. As a result, Dr. Khan says today鈥檚 marijuana, 鈥...tends to knock the socks off most people trying it for the first time.鈥听
Modern drugs aren鈥檛 just more potent. They鈥檙e also more addictive. If laced with other substances, they can be dangerous and even deadly. The states that 150 deaths occur every day due to fentanyl and other opioids.听
How Much Alcohol Should You Drink?听
Dr. Khan says the big problem with alcohol is knowing when to stop. If you choose to drink, adhere to the following recommendations:听
- Men should drink no more than two drinks per day听
- Women should drink no more than one drink per day听
Drink more, and you may damage your liver or other organs. You also increase your risk of developing a use disorder. Start drinking alcohol at an early age, and your risk level rises.听
鈥淭he earlier people drink,鈥 Dr. Khan says, 鈥渢he more likely they are to develop an unhealthy relationship or alcohol use disorder.鈥听
Identifying and Acting on Addiction听
Whether you use alcohol or drugs, early signs that you鈥檙e heading toward or experiencing include:听
- Difficulty functioning socially or professionally听
- Having loved ones tell you your habit has had negative impacts on your own or their lives听
- Inability to stop using substance when intended听
- Needing alcohol or drugs to socialize, unwind or cope with stress听
Fortunately, the stigma of addiction has lessened, to an extent, in recent decades as more people learn about them. Use disorders are now considered diseases and treated as such. Counseling and other services help you overcome addiction, both in-person and online.听听
鈥淚f you鈥檙e struggling to cut back on your use of alcohol or drugs and it鈥檚 affecting you in any way, please seek help,鈥 Dr. Khan says. 鈥淭alk to your primary care provider and loved ones. There are countless resources that can help you move toward better health.鈥听
Are you living with alcohol or drug use disorder? Don鈥檛 face it on your own. at 富二代成版人app to discuss your concerns with.听