Teens often use alcohol and drugs as an escape from their stress since it gives them a feeling of temporary happiness. Alcohol and drugs are negative coping strategies and the continuous use of it could lead to one's diminishing mental and physical health. It causes teens to become addicted and they become so reliant on it as a coping method that they can't survive (for the lack of a better word) without it. This addiction could carry on throughout their future unless they learn to cope without the use of said substances and regulate their use. Peer pressure could also lead teens to take alcohol and drugs. Alcohol is a depressant (it slows the function of the central nervous system) and it blocks some messages that try to get to the brain. This could lead to a teens' perceptions, emotions, movement, vision, and hearing altered. The consumption of excess amounts of alcohol could lead to intoxication and alcohol poisoning which could even lead to death or something less severe. While under the influence of drugs and alcohol someone could make bad, impulsive decisions which can stick with them forever (especially if they've had a lot of said substance). Drugs and alcohol can also cause long-term health effects if the use of it isn't controlled and regulated.