Although the alcohol is a legal drug while the consumption of cannabis is illegal in many countries, alcoholism has enormous effects on the health and the life of the consumer. Lewis et al. (2011) portend that consumption of large quantities of alcohol leads to addiction. Primarily, addiction leads to a medical condition whereby an individual develops difficulties in controlling the consumption of the alcohol even if he is well aware of the inherent effects of excessive consumption of alcohol.
According to Lewis et al. (2011) alcoholics are at a high danger of many health related complications some of which are as a result of enhancing tolerance to the drinking habit. Protracted use of alcohol has a profound effect on both the physical and mental health of the addict. A study by Lewis et al (2011) indicates alcoholism can cause to psychiatric disorders or even depression. In addition, excessive consumption of alcohol can result in risky conditions like withdrawal syndrome and alcohol tolerance. Also, most of the alcoholics are ashamed at their inability to control the drinking habit a fact that can cause stress.
A research by Lewis et al. (2011) found out that alcohol addiction causes the impairment of an individual’s motor skills. In addition, a large concentration of alcohol in the blood can cause an overall improvement in the mood and ineffective coordination of the fine muscles hence leading to impaired judgments. Most of the alcoholics have caused fatal road accidents due to this condition especially when they are driving. Besides, respiratory depression and alcohol poisoning are life-threatening conditions that have claimed the lives of many alcoholics.
Excessive consumption can lead to unhealthy sexual behaviors that can cause one to contract sexually transmitted diseases like HIV/Aids. Lewis et al. (2011) indicate that most of the people who indulge in sexual activities while under the influence of alcohol are less likely to use protection during the intercourse.
Chronic consumption of alcohol can cause cognitive disorders and the distortion of the brain chemistry thus causing memory loss and learning related complications. Also, liver cirrhosis is a common medical condition among the alcoholics. Liver transplant which is the only viable option for a severe liver disorder is an expensive venture.
Cannabis is the world’s most commonly abused illicit drug. However, there has been a debate on the effects of the drug on the long-term usage due to the inherent medical benefits of marijuana. The debate has caused a stalemate between the medical practitioners and the authorities. None the less, scientific evidence shows that the effects of marijuana on the user outweigh the advantages.
Acute usage of cannabis has a negative effect on memory, attention, and learning. For instance, excess intoxication on marijuana can impair an individual’s intellect.Burggren (2015) contends that considerable scientific evidence shows that learners who abuse cannabis experiences poor academic achievements as compared to peers who don’t abuse the drug.
Consumption of marijuana exposes an individual to the risk of abusing other types of drugs. This is because cannabis reaches same pleasure centers that are targeted by cocaine and heroin in the brain. Also, chronic usage can cause dependency.
Smoking of cannabis causes a feeling of euphoria through the stimulation of the brain cells that releases dopamine chemical. Marijuana also has an effect on an individual's mood while some addicts experience an increase in appetite and heightened sensory perception. Furthermore, Burggren (2015) opines that marijuana smoke causes respiratory disorders like lungs cancer, bronchitis, and cardiac related diseases.
In my opinion, both cannabis and alcohol should be categorized as illegal substances. This is because the effects of alcohol on the body of the user are evidently clear. Also, consumption of alcohol just as cannabis has an effect on the social life of the user and those around him. Domestic violence, unhealthy sexual behaviors, and crime are caused by excess consumption of alcohol and cannabis since the two substances cause impairment in the judgment of issues.
References
Burggren, A. C. (2015). The Effects of Cannabis Use among Older Adults. Complementary and Integrative Therapies for Mental Health and Aging, 109-120. doi:10.1093/med/9780199380862.003.0007
Lewis, J. A., Robert,Q.D., and Gregory,A.B. (2011). Substance Abuse Counseling. Sydney: Brooks/Cole Cengage Learning, 2011. Print.
