Assignment Task: Answer the following questions:
Q1. What constitutes a drug given the top three most used drugs of abuse in the world are caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine?
Q2. What are three reasons why people use drugs? Why do most people use drugs? Hint: Keep in mind that the vast majority of people who use drugs never develop a use disorder. You are not being asked why most people become addicted, but the most common reasons for use.
Q3. How long have humans been consuming alcohol and cannabis? Briefly describe the evidence we currently have. Note: There is good evidence to support the idea that our ancestors sought out naturally fermented fruit as far back as 10 million years ago. Limit your answers to when humans began deliberately making alcohol and using cannabis in rituals.
Q4. Who currently uses alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine? Compare the rates of use within the last year for race and gender. Note: You may want to use the NIDA (2017) reference. Table 2.33A on page 811 is a great resource on alcohol consumption. Tables 1.29 through 1.40 starting on page 223 will be of interest when investigating marijuana, cocaine, and crack.