There are negative consequences for using marijuana and driving. Cannabis users may experience euphoria, stillness, elevated sensory perception particularly regarding color and sound, an increased appetite, and a distorted sense of time (Cox, 2017). Some consequences associated with short term use may be delayed cognitive function, making problem solving and critical thinking challenging, slowed motor functions, issues related with memory, delusions, delirium and psychosis (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2018). For long-term cannabis users there are potentials for heart disease associated with smoking cannabis and impaired cognitive functions related to memory (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2018). Additionally, some research has linked chronic cannabis use to elevated risk of strokes and heart failure, depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts (Cox, 2017). Remember, though this is controversial, medicinal use of marijuana is helpful for certain diseases (WebMD, 2019).

         Driving under the influence of any narcotic can land you a DUI. If you are pulled over while under the influence of marijuana, the police will inspect you and your vehicle. If they believe you are impaired, they can run a breathalyzer and a chemical test. The breathalyzer test cannot detect marijuana, but the chemical test will be able to (Law Office of James Novak, 2019). If narcotics are detected, you will be charged with a DUI. First time offenders can be punished with a minimum of 1 to 10 days of jail time, license suspension for 90 days, fines and fees and community service (Law Office of James Novak, 2019). Be warned: marijuana can linger in the system for many days (Buddy T, 2018). Even if you are not under the influence of marijuana you can still get a DUI for having it in your system. Remember not to drive while using any type of marijuana or cannabis, including medicinal use.

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                                                               References

Buddy, T. (November 13, 2018) How Long Does Marijuana Stay in Your System?

https://www.verywellmind.com/how-long-does-marijuana-stay-in-the-system-67791

Cox, L. (2017, June 6). Marijuana: Effects of Weed on Brain and Body. Retrieved from Live Science: https://www.livescience.com/24558-marijuana-effects.html

Law Office of James Novak (2019) Marijuana DUI Laws

https://www.arizonacriminaldefenselawyer.com/marijuana-dui-laws.html

National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2018, June). Marijuana. Retrieved from NIH National Institute on Drug Abuse: https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/marijuana

National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2018, June). Marijuana. Retrieved from drugabuse.gov: https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/marijuana

WebMD (2019) Medical Marijuana FAQ

https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/medical-marijuana-faq

            There are numerous amounts of effects that alcohol can afflict people with. When alcohol is metabolized it becomes ethanol (Abernathy & Woodward, Alcohol and the Prefrontal Cortex, 2010) which temporarily creates a calming effect on the brain capable of enhancing moods and producing euphoria (Alcohol.org, 2019). Adversely, ethanol also acts as a depressant on the brain and central nervous system (CNS), which can delay cognitive and motor functions (Alcohol Rehab Guide, 2019). Impact is seen in the individual’s delayed response time and inability to react in a timely manner (Abernathy & Woodward, Alcohol and the Prefrontal Cortex, 2010), poor emotional control (Savette, 2017), inadequate judgement resulting in risky behavior (Alcohol Rehab Guide, 2019), difficulties remembering events (Savette, 2017), vomiting, blackouts, potential poisoning and death (Alcohol.org, 2019). Evidence of long-term alcohol use can be seen in the liver, heart, digestive system, pancreas and brain (Alcohol.org, 2019).

            Research has shown that chronic alcohol use is capable of actually shrinking the brain (Merz, 2017), resulting in memory function damage which creates difficulties making new memories and memory loss (Alcohol.org, 2019). Additionally, long term alcohol use is associated with depression and anxiety (Briere, Rohde, Seeley, & Lewinsohn, 2015). Alcohol use can make the heart susceptible to tachycardia and high blood pressure, increasing the probability of heart attacks and strokes (Alcohol.org, 2019). Chronic alcohol use irritates the lining of the stomach and will increase the probability of ulcers and gastritis (Bode, 1997). Alcohol is especially damaging to the esophagus of smokers as the irritation caused by smoking is amplified by use of alcohol (Castellsague, et al., 1999). Predictably alcohol use is associated with pancreases damage like pancreatitis, which is a swollen pancreas (Apte, Sci, & Korsten, 1997).

For over 200 years medical professionals have understood that there is a connection between alcohol and liver damage (Smart & Mann, 1992). Chronic alcohol use leaves the liver susceptible to fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, fibrosis or cirrhosis (Maher, 1992). Alcohol also impedes the liver’s ability to rid itself of fat and over time the builds up fatty tissue and hinders the liver’s functionality (Drinkaware.co.u, 2019). Alcoholic hepatitis is a viral infection the liver is incapable of overcoming due to the damage caused by drinking (Drinkaware.co.u, 2019). Fibrosis is the beginning stages of scaring on the liver which could be healed if alcohol consumption were stopped; cirrhosis is when the liver is incapable of healing the fibrosis and starts to form scare tissue seriously compromising the liver’s functionality (Maher, 1992). The human body is continually looking for an optimal state of functionality where every organ is operating to it’s full capacity and in harmony. This optimal state is referred to as a homeostasis (Clark, 2012).

   When alcohol interrupts the natural balance of the body, the liver, heart, and pancreas are not capable of optimal performance and toxins tend to build up in the body (Totah, 2019). Over time the buildup of toxins increases the individual’s probability of developing cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, colon, rectal and breast cancer (American Cancer Society, 2017). From all the information listed above, people can see that chronic alcohol use is terrible for the body.

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                                                            References

Abernathy, K., & Woodward, L. J. (2010, March 10). Alcohol and the Prefrontal Cortex. Retrieved from ncbi.nlm.nih: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3593065/

Abernathy, K., & Woodward, L. J. (2013, March 10). Alcohol and the Prefrontal Cortex. Retrieved from ncbi. nlm.gov: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3593065/

Alcohol Rehab Guide. (2019). Drinking and Driving. Retrieved from alcoholrehabguide: https://www.alcoholrehabguide.org/alcohol/crimes/dui/

Alcohol.org. (2018, October 24). The Effects of Alcohol on your memory. Retrieved from Alcohol.org: https://www.alcohol.org/effects/on-your-memory/

Alcohol.org. (2019, February 15). The Physical and Psychological Effects of Alcohol. Retrieved from Alcohol.org: https://www.alcohol.org/effects/

American Cancer Society. (2017, February 12). Alcohol Use and Cancer. Retrieved from cancer.org: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-causes/diet-physical-activity/alcohol-use-and-cancer.html               

Apte, M. V., Sci, M. M., & Korsten, J. S. (1997). Alcohol-Related Pancreatic Damage. Alcohol, Health & Research World, pp. 13-20.

Bode, C. B. (1997). Alcohol’s Role in Gastrointestional Tract Disorders. Alcohol Health & Research World, 76-84.

Briere, F. N., Rohde, P., Seeley, J. R., & Lewinsohn, D. K. (2015, April 1). Comorbidity between Major Depression and Alcohol Use Disorder from Adolescence to Adulthood. Retrieved from ncbi.nlm.nih.gov: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4131538/

Castellsague, X., Munoz, N., Stefani, E. D., Victoria, C., Castelletto, R., & Quintana, P. R. (1999, August 27). Independent and joint effects of tobacco smoking and alcohol drinking on the risk of esophageal cancer in men and women. Retrieved from ncbi.nlm.nih.gov: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10417762

Clark, R. (2012, December 7). Anatomy and Physiology: Understanding the Human Body. Sudbary: Jones and Bartlett. Retrieved from wrtiepass.com: https://writepass.com/journal/2012/12/the-different-parts-of-the-human-body-function-as-one-unit-in-harmony-to-maintain-life/

Drinkaware.co.u. (2019). Alcohol-related Liver Disease. Retrieved from drinkaware.co.ul: https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/alcohol-facts/health-effects-of-alcohol/effects-on-the-body/alcohol-related-liver-disease/

Maher, J. J. (1992). Exploring Alcohol’s Effects on Liver Function. Alocohol Health & Research World, pp. 21(1) 5-12.

Merz, B. (2017, July 14). This is your brain on alcohol. Retrieved from Harvard Health Publishing: https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/this-is-your-brain-on-alcohol-2017071412000

Savette, M. A. (2017, January 1). The effects of alcohol on emotion in social drinder. Retrieved from ncbi.nlm.nih.gov: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5724975/

Smart, R., & Mann, R. (1992). Alcohol and the epidemiology of lever cirrhosis. Alcohol Health & Research World, pp. 217-222.

Totah, M. (2019). 13.2 Homeostasis. Retrieved from Ck-12: https://www.ck12.org/book/CK-12-Biology-Concepts/section/13.2/

   There are potential consequences for drug and alcohol use in our personal lives, but not everyone may grasp that there are significant economic consequences for drug and alcohol use as well. Perhaps there is no action quite as costly as binge drinking, or the act of consuming large quantities of alcohol in a short period of time. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that binge drinking caused 191 billion dollars of damages in 2010. 58 billion dollars of damage also occurred in 2010 related to alcohol. The areas that were affected by alcohol in 2010 included workplace productivity, health care, and criminal justice. In total, 249 billion dollars of damage was done (CDC). In 2010 drunken driving related accidents cost America 44 billion dollars. Unfortunately, 10,874 lives paid the price due to alcohol related accidents in 2017 (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, n.d.). According to the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation (PIRE); whenever someone is convicted of a DUI, their insurance rates are raised, and are indirectly passed onto the other consumers. PIRE also explained that medical and property costs, like ambulance drivers, who are deployed to help victims at a crash, and guardrails, which can be damaged in an accident; are funded by the tax payers of America (LifeSafer, 2012). Being convicted for a DUI can affect your work life as well. Employers could run a background check, and being convicted of a DUI can prevent people from getting certain jobs (Shala, 2018).

   There are a fair amount of economic consequences for narcotic use, but there is an abundance of consequences for use in our personal lives. For first time DUI offenders, you can be jailed for over 10 days, and will be fined at least $1,250. You will have your license suspended and will have to be screened by a licensed substance abuse counselor. You will also have to equip your vehicle with an ignition interlock device. Lastly, you will have to perform some sort of community service (ADOT, n.d.). Each time you are convicted of a DUI, penalties increase. These penalties can put a serious damper on your life. You will have to be screened, and then pass a 16 to 32 hour course recommended by the counselor. You will have to perform community service and purchase an interlock device. These all cost time and money. No matter what, there will be a price to pay.

 References:

Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT)

Driving under the influence

https://www.azdot.gov/motor-vehicles/driver-services/driver-improvement/dui

Center for Disease Control (CDC) 2018

Binge Drinking

https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/binge-drinking.htm

LifeSafer (2012)

The real cost of drunk driving

https://www.lifesafer.com/blog/real-cost-drunk-driving/

Munroe, Shala (Chron) 2018

Can a DUI prevent you from getting a job?

https://work.chron.com/can-dui-prevent-getting-job-16196.html

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

Drunk Driving

https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving

Arizona is a zero-tolerance state, which means you can still get a DUI if you’re driving with a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) lower than the legal limits. The legal limit, in Arizona, is 0.08. Driving with any amount of BAC can land you with a DUI, so it’s better to call for a ride!

There are different ‘tiered’ DUI’s for lower and higher percentages of BAC. A standard DUI occurs if you are 21 and older and have a BAC of 0.08 or higher. If you are under the age of 21 and driving with any amount of BAC you can get a DUI. BAC will also be a variable in determining the consequences for any DUI.

 For your first DUI, you could receive 24 hours to 10 days of jail time, fines, an interlock device and you could lose your license for 90 to 360 days. Each time you get another DUI, jail time, fines, and license suspension time increase.

Some think these rules and penalties are strict, but in the long run, they save lives. In a study from 2014, it was estimated that 272 deaths occurred related to drunk drivers in Arizona. Arizona had the eleventh highest amount of DUI related fatalities in America. On the other hand, approximately 23,000 arrests were made against drunk drivers in the state of Arizona in 2014. Arizona was number thirteen in the country with DUI arrests. These arrests could save the lives of thousands.

Never drink and drive; protect your life and the lives of those around you.

At Arizona DUI Services, our licensed counselor is Robin Fernandez who has over 15 years of clinical and substance abuse counseling experience.  Those who have been convicted of a DUI will be ordered to be examined by a licensed substance abuse counselor. This examination is called a screening, and the ultimate objective is to get your license reinstated as restricted. Here at Arizona DUI Services we offer affordable and convenient screenings that are completed electronically. Before the screening our counselor will send you the consent to treat and intake paperwork as well as the privacy agreement. During the screening you and our substance abuse counselor will discuss several topics relating to your alcohol and drug history, your driving record, and your past criminal history. Our counselor will also administer the M.A.S.T assessment during your screening. The M.A.S.T will ask you ‘yes or no’ questions. After the screening the counselor will recommend the next course of education and treatment for you to complete. All information will be available for the MVD and referring Arizona Courts. The MVD will then make the decision if you will be given a restricted driver’s license.

         Please remember that those who fail to complete the screening and/or the education course can get harsher penalties and can earn a license revocation. At Arizona DUI Services we also offer license revocation services. A revocation evaluation is similar to a normal screening; except the counselor will help determine whether you’ll get your license reinstated from a revoked status. You will have to acquire a revocation investigation packet from the MVD, which you will need to fill out and send to our counselor in order for your evaluation to be scheduled. The counselor will complete an assessment about how and why you had your license revoked and will check if you have completed the recommended education and treatment requirements. The M.A.S.T assessment will also be administered during your evaluation.

         We are here to guide you and assist you on this journey!