Young Men, Drinking & Drugs
| Drug or
alcohol use can cause problems for anyone. Young men face
certain health hazards and some special dangers,
including strong social pressure to use alcohol or other
drugs. Knowing about these issues can help you to make
wise choices about your own health and contribute to a
more satisfying and healthy life. Peer Pressure Your decision on whether to drink or take drugs may have a lot to do with the attitudes and opinions of your friends. How much you take and when may also be effected by their ways of doing things. Why are young men encouraged by their peers to drink or take drugs? Some people think that drinking or drug-use proves how much of a man one is. Men are often expected to be tough and unemotional. Some men believe that drinking and / or drug use lets them relax from these pressures when, actually, it causes more pressures. Effects of Abuse Drug use has many harmful effects. Health risks increase for heart disease, cancer, mental illness and even death. Drug use may decrease the levels of the hormone testosterone in man's body, which affects sexual desire and performance. Because drugs often lower a man's inhibitions and dull his thinking, he may not notice this at first. Some drugs also cause a man to produce fewer sperm (or abnormal sperm), making it more difficult to conceive healthy children. One's school life can also be seriously affected by drug or alcohol abuse. Your grades, ability to learn and athletic performance can be hurt. Your family's love, trust and respect are probably very important to you. Drug use can make you act in ways that embarrass you or hurt your family. Steps You Can Take You can make choices about drug use that will improve your life and the lives of your family and friends.
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