My Name, What Is It

I am as old as human life
I've been used in praising
Come to me when you're lonely
I'll make you numb
The doctor once said
That a little of my red child was good

My grip is slow
But when I've got you
I'll aways have a hand around your throat

I'm best known for pickling your insides
Making you replace parts
If I leave you time
Destroying your brain is a talent of mine
I've made you kill others
In those metal boxes on those strips of black

I'll shelter you
But with a price
I maybe legal, but I'm deadly
So come to me
I'll give you hope
Then take it away

What is my name,
It you can remember my many children,
You'll know mine.


This wasn't the 300 word story I know, it was for health class

And please write you guess as a comment