Alcohol also referred as Ethyl alcohol, ethanol and booze are likely to be the most abused substance in history. Alcohol, a central nervous system depressant, is a clear liquid diluted and/or blended as wine, beer, liquor (distilled spirits) or liqueur. It is used in drinks which may be blended or mixed with other spirits or non-alcoholic substances. It maintains an legal status, regulated by various state laws for purchase eligibility and distribution location. Small amounts used in products such as mouthwash and cough medicine. Non-beverage isopropyl and methyl alcohols are "alley juice" drinks for street alcoholics and teenagers.
Initial relaxed and/or sociable feeling may be replaced with depression, anger, loss of control, and drowsiness. Effects vary with individual.
Alcohol affects your mind by lowing the ability of your brain to control behavior and impairs your ability to perform motor skills such as driving. Some special characteristics include: Milk can retard absorption. Food or drink does not change ongoing effects. One "shot" equals one glass of wine or beer. Effects vary by size of a person related to blood absorption capacity, amount of food in stomach, built up tolerance level and other factors. There is no known cure for the next day withdrawal "hangover."
Some problems associated with alcohol include: Memory loss. Hypothermia. Decreased sex drive, impotence, menstrual problems, liver and kidney damage. General stomach and intestine damage. Lack of ability to feel pain, coma, susceptibility to alcohol related diseases, anxiety, insomnia, socially unacceptable behavior. Brain damage, affected walk. Depletion of vitamins and nutrients.
Death from inability to breathe, heart failure, severe withdrawal effects, interaction with other drugs, driving while under the influence, suicide. Aspiration of vomit leading to asphyxiation or pneumonia is not uncommon.
Dependence can be both emotional and physical.
Unborn children of drinking mothers may be affected by mental retardation, deformities and heart defects.