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Alcohol
Also Known As
- Beer
- Booze
- Brew
- Brewskis
- Coolers
- Hard Stuff
- Hooch
- Juice
- Liquor
- Sauce
- Wine
Alcohol is the most commonly used drug in the United States. It is legal for persons over the age of 21.
In general, alcohol refers to ethanol, also known as grain alcohol, and often to any beverage that contains ethanol. Ethanol is caused by yeast acting on sugars in the malt. It is a by-product of fermentation. A 12 ounce beer, 5 ounces of wine, a 9 ounce wine cooler, and 1½ ounces of liquor all contain about the same amount of alcohol.
Alcohol is a depressant that affects the entire central nervous system. The rate at which alcohol enters the bloodstream is influenced by several factors, including gender, body size, how much the individual has eaten, the amount of alcohol, and how quickly it's consumed. Alcohol can make it difficult to "act normal" because it blocks messages from going through the brain.
Quick Facts
In general, alcohol refers to ethanol, also known as grain alcohol, and often to any beverage that contains ethanol. Ethanol is caused by yeast acting on sugars in the malt. It is a by-product of fermentation. A 12 ounce beer, 5 ounces of wine, a 9 ounce wine cooler, and 1½ ounces of liquor all contain about the same amount of alcohol.
Alcohol is a depressant that affects the entire central nervous system. The rate at which alcohol enters the bloodstream is influenced by several factors, including gender, body size, how much the individual has eaten, the amount of alcohol, and how quickly it's consumed. Alcohol can make it difficult to "act normal" because it blocks messages from going through the brain.
Warning Signs
- Getting drunk on a regular basis
- Lying about how much alcohol is consumed
- Believing alcohol is necessary to have fun
- Frequent hangovers
- Feeling run-down, depressed, or suicidal
- Blackouts, forgetting what happened
Quick Facts