$JES 983 Being Jain In College An Experiential Guide 2nd Edition

Author(s): Sonali Vakharia
Publisher: JAINA Education Committee

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PARTIES, ALCOHOL AND DRUGS
the age of 25, so things such as binge drinking (which can be as little as 3-4 drinks for females, and 5 for males) has strong potential to interfere with this process. Because the brain is still maturing, it feels the effects of alcohol more strongly and may cause a younger person to crave alcohol more. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 40% of most fatal car crashes have some sort of alcohol involvement! So, it's very important that you are careful when you are out with your friends. Don't drive with someone who may be under the influence of alcohol, as they are much more likely to get into a serious accident. Long term effects of alcohol dependence and abuse include liver disease, liver cirrhosis, pancreatitis, cancer, heart disease, psychological disorders including anxiety and depressive disorders, which can ultimately lead to a slow and painful death.
Drug Use Switching gears to the topic of drugs, marijuana is probably one of the most commonly used drugs in the country and will continue to be so with recent legalization of the drug in certain places. It contains a lot of other chemicals in addition to THC which can give you a high and cause addictive behavior. Also, it contains many of the cancer-causing chemicals in tobacco smoke. Use of marijuana leads to impaired coordination, which can double your risk of car accidents when you smoke and drive. It can impair short term memory and increase heart rate. Some recent studies have shown that with chronic use can lead to decreased IQ, likelihood to drop out of school, depression, anxiety, cardiovascular problems, cancers, and memory problems. Marijuana can also make you more prone to try other drugs which can be very dangerous.
For some, alcohol and drug use may be done mostly in social settings. However, information I have received from past drug and alcohol users -- especially those who are addicted - say that taking drugs has distanced them from family and friends. It has made them feel more depressed. They feel a sense of guilt which causes them to use more drugs and alcohol to counteract that, and then it becomes a vicious cycle. In other words, drugs and alcohol are toxins. Do we really need to put these in our bodies?
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BEING JAIN IN COLLEGE