Health: Drug and Alcohol Effects on the Body Worksheet

Question 1

Alcohol is a depressant. Explain what that means and describe two effects alcohol can have on the brain or nervous system.

Accepted Answer

A depressant slows activity in the brain and central nervous system. Alcohol can slow reaction time, reduce coordination, impair judgment, lower inhibitions, and make it harder to think clearly.

Question 2

A student says, "I can drive safely after two drinks because I do not feel drunk." Explain why this belief is dangerous.

Accepted Answer

This belief is dangerous because alcohol can impair judgment, reaction time, vision, and coordination before a person feels drunk. A person may underestimate impairment, which increases the risk of crashes and injuries.

Question 3

Describe how nicotine affects the body in the short term and explain why it can become addictive.

Accepted Answer

In the short term, nicotine can increase heart rate, raise blood pressure, and stimulate the release of brain chemicals linked to pleasure and alertness. It can become addictive because the brain begins to crave the nicotine reward and may produce withdrawal symptoms when nicotine is not used.

Question 4

List three possible long-term health effects of smoking or vaping nicotine products.

Accepted Answer

Long-term effects of smoking or vaping nicotine products can include addiction, lung irritation or disease, increased risk of heart disease, higher blood pressure, and harm to brain development in teens and young adults.

Question 5

Explain how alcohol use can affect the liver over time.

Accepted Answer

Over time, alcohol use can strain the liver because the liver breaks down alcohol. Heavy or repeated alcohol use can lead to fatty liver, inflammation, scarring, and serious liver disease such as cirrhosis.

Question 6

Cannabis can affect attention, memory, and coordination. Explain how these effects could create problems at school, work, or while driving.

Accepted Answer

Cannabis can make it harder to concentrate, remember information, react quickly, and coordinate movements. These effects can lower school or work performance and make driving dangerous because safe driving requires focus, judgment, and fast reactions.

Question 7

Opioids are sometimes prescribed for severe pain. Explain why taking opioids in a way not prescribed is dangerous.

Accepted Answer

Taking opioids in a way not prescribed is dangerous because opioids can slow breathing, cause extreme drowsiness, lead to overdose, and become addictive. Mixing opioids with alcohol or other depressants increases the risk of life-threatening breathing problems.

Question 8

Stimulants increase activity in the nervous system. Name two body systems stimulants can affect and describe one possible effect on each.

Accepted Answer

Stimulants can affect the nervous system by increasing alertness, anxiety, or restlessness. They can affect the cardiovascular system by increasing heart rate and blood pressure, which can strain the heart.

Question 9

Explain the difference between tolerance, dependence, and addiction.

Accepted Answer

Tolerance means a person needs more of a substance to get the same effect. Dependence means the body has adapted to the substance and may have withdrawal symptoms without it. Addiction is a health condition involving compulsive substance use despite harmful consequences.

Question 10

A friend at a party is very confused, vomiting, breathing slowly, and cannot stay awake after using substances. What should you do, and why?

Accepted Answer

You should call emergency services immediately and stay with the person if it is safe to do so. These signs may indicate poisoning or overdose, and quick medical help can prevent serious injury or death.

Question 11

Explain why mixing alcohol with other drugs can be more dangerous than using one substance alone.

Accepted Answer

Mixing alcohol with other drugs can be more dangerous because substances can interact in unpredictable ways. Alcohol can increase sedation, worsen impaired judgment, slow breathing when combined with depressants, and raise the risk of overdose or injury.

Question 12

Identify two healthy refusal or safety strategies a teen could use when pressured to use drugs or alcohol.

Accepted Answer

A teen could use a clear refusal statement such as, "No, I am not using that," and leave the situation with a trusted friend. A teen could also call a trusted adult, make a plan before going out, or avoid situations where substances are likely to be used.

Health: Drug and Alcohol Effects on the Body

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