Documentary: Alcohol Abuse

https://www.wevideo.com/view/123554795

Paying the Price

By: Alissa Meza

I thought it was fun

I thought it was cool

But look at me now

Laying here like a fool

I hear the screams crying out for help

But the worst part of it all is knowing you were the cause

The guilt is consuming me, eating me alive

But there is no turning back now, I’ve broken the laws

I should have listened in school

Saying no was the best way

Why didn’t I listen?

I should have obeyed

But there is no time to think, time goes by so fast

I can sense death

I feel my heart failing me

I’m struggling to take a breathe

I’m fighting to stay alive

(After the car wreck, wakes up at the hospital)

I wake up on a bed and wonder how did I get here?

Then its plays out in my head and how I almost lost my life

Then the door opens, there standing before me are police officers

I panic, what have I done, crimes?

Eyes full with hate

Asking the nurse how long will it be until I’m recovered

For what? I’m confused

Finally they turn to me, but hesitate

Explaining why they are here, to arrest me

But why? I took another’s happy ending

When? The car wreck

It clicks, the screaming, I was drunk driving

(Fully recovered and behind bars)

Now I’m stuck here because of my own actions

I have learned my lesson and I regret it all

But it’s too late now

I can’t go back in time to stop myself from the big fall

Now I have to pay for breaking the law

I should have thought of it before the fall

How I put myself in danger and others to

But now I pay the price not a cheap one at all

HCS Early College High School

2050 Highway 501 E

Conway, SC 29528

P.O. Box 261966

September 19, 2013

The Sun News,
Letter to the Editor,
P.O. Box 406,
Myrtle Beach, SC 29578

Dear Editor in-Chief:

My name is Alissa Meza. I am a freshman at Early College High School in Conway, SC.

In my English Class we have recently done an exploratory essay. The topic in my essay is what the effects are after consuming alcohol. For example, how you are putting others and yourself in risk by drinking, and the consequences you will have to face. Also, the damage you’re causing in your body affecting you in the long run/future.

I would love it if you could publicize my topic in the Conway area and thought that this was the best way to do so. I hope you take advantage of the opportunity to show the community the importance of this topic.

Thank you so much for your time. I appreciate your help and hope to hear from you soon.

Sincerely,

Alissa Meza

Exploratory Essay

Alissa Meza

English 2 Block 1

Ms. McKoy

Exploratory Essay

            Most of us know that drinking too much can lead to car accidents, addictions or worse. We know drinking a little can make us giggly or weepy, lose our balance or lose our lunch. Feel extremely hungry the morning after or want nothing more than to be still in a dark room until that terrible pounding headache dies down. Few of us know much more than the above, especially when it comes to what's actually going on inside the body to create these reactions. In fact, alcohol even in the smallest doses, affects nearly every system in the body from the brain to circulation to immunity. While at low to moderate doses, alcohol does seem to provide certain health benefits -- including a longer life and a healthier heart. At higher doses, drinking carries with it the risk for long-term effects and permanent damage (“Huffington Post”).

            Permanent damages that occur after consuming alcohol are physical or health wise. Health issues that are represented in the article The Effects of Alcohol in the Body, says that when the brain stem, which functions the body to keep us alive, is overdosed with alcohol it can result to death. Then the more you drink your cerebellum is disrupted, leading to balance problems, slower reaction time and slurred speech. Physical damage is seen in car crashes that have happened because of drunk driving, but also shown in the behavior of a person consuming alcohol.

            Drinking alcohol affects the body in many ways, these effects can lead to physical and mental changes. People under the influence of alcohol readily admit their reaction time is slower than when not drinking, and they take many chances they would never take when sober. Too often those chances are fatal. That can put alcohol users and others at risk of injury or death. Possible dangers include falls, household accidents, and car crashes. Also depending on how much is taken and the physical condition of the individual, alcohol can cause many illnesses.

            Many illnesses are caused by drinking which is capable of damaging nearly every organ and system in the body (“Wikipedia”). Cirrhosis is scarring of the liver and poor liver function. Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas. Osteoporosis is a disease in which bones become fragile and more likely to fracture. At the end these illnesses usually end up killing us because of so much harm done.

Alcohol distorts a person’s perceptions and judgment which creates negative conflicts in life. So to prevent any tragedy it is the best for us to think before acting (“Drug Free World”). Am I going to willingly hurt myself? Do you care enough to just throw your life away? Is the path you’re taking now leading you to your death? But the main question is why do it when you know the consequences? So before taking any amount of alcohol, think of the possible ways you are harming yourself and others after drinking.

Work Cited

"Alcohol Use and Older Adults." NIHSeniorHealth:. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Sept. 2013.

"Drug Free World: Substance & Alcohol Abuse, Education & Prevention." Drug Free World: Substance & Alcohol Abuse, Education & Prevention. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Sept. 2013.

Klein, Sarah. "The Effects Of Alcohol In The Body (INFOGRAPHIC)." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 28 Dec. 2012. Web. 04 Sept. 2013.

"Long-term Effects of Alcohol." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 09 June 2013. Web. 10 Sept. 2013.