Thomas Robinson

Professor Lindhart
Health 1050
December 1, 2016
Application Paper
Life, Society, and Drugs has taught me a lot of important information that I will be able
to apply to real life situations. I was informed of all sorts of different substances and the effects
that they carry. More importantly I learned a lot of tips for drug prevention, treatment, and the
effects that drug abuse can have on families.
Some of the most important information about substances that I learned in the course was
about prescription medications. Recently prescription medications have caused all sorts of
problems in the United States. An example of this would be how someone who is addicted to
prescription painkillers resorts to heroin because it is similar in effects and cheaper and easier to
obtain. I had absolutely no idea that prescription medications could be so dangerous. Another
drug that I was unfamiliar with was caffeine. I personally consume a lot of caffeine but before
taking the course I was completely unfamiliar with its effects. A debate in the course was made
over whether energy drinks should be banned among teenagers. I had never thought about how
unhealthy energy drinks were and how they were consumed a lot by teenagers. I can now see
myself as a part of this category since I consume a lot of energy drinks and other sources of
caffeine. Caffeine can be dangerous because it is a stimulant and can have heart problems
associated with it.

The most important information I received in this class was the information about
treatment. This information is the information that I will be able to apply in my life. I have had
family members with drug and alcohol problems. My uncle even passed away because of
problems caused by alcoholism. I am now completely aware of the different types of treatment
facilities. The book taught me about Cognitive Behavioral Coping Skills Therapy, Motivational
Enhancement Therapy, and Twelve-step Facilitation Therapy. I also found a lot of great
information about alcoholics anonymous. I really like the idea of the twelve-step program and
the group setting. I will now be able to encourage help to others and have knowledge about the
topic if a problem ever presents itself.
Prevention is another really important concept that I took away from the course. I am
now familiar with the different types of prevention. I found that primary prevention was
personally important to me. I plan on having children in the future and I definitely want my
children to be educated about the harm of drugs. Primary prevention can prevent children from
ever attempting to start drugs in the first place. The chapter about prevention might have some of
the most useful information that I can apply into my life.
Overall I really enjoyed the class. I took a lot of information out of it that I will be able to
apply to my life in the future. The course covered things that I see every day such as tobacco and
alcohol as well as heavier drugs such as amphetamines and opiates. The course even covered
performance enhancing drugs which is something that I was unfamiliar with at the beginning of
the course. I really like how the course taught me things that I was unfamiliar with. However, the
course also sharpened my knowledge on things that I had already learned about such as the
dangers of tobacco use, the consequences of drug addiction, and the medical use of some drugs

such as marijuana. I am very satisfied with all the information that I took away from the course.
The knowledge that I now have should be able to help me throughout my life.