Alcohol: Types and Effects

Alcohol is a psychoactive substance that is commonly consumed for its depressant effects. It is produced by the fermentation of sugar by yeast.
Category
Substance
Where to get
Legally available for purchase in various retail outlets
Applicable for
Prepared by Shruti Sahoo, reviewed by Dr. Eugene Smith

Alcohol FAQ


Image credit: britannica.com

Is alcohol a drug?

Yes, alcohol is a drug. Like other drugs, alcohol affects the way your body works. It can also be toxic and addictive. Drinking a small amount of alcohol can make you feel more relaxed or happy, but alcohol is actually a depressant. This means it: affects the way you think, feel and behave.

What is alcohol in chemistry?

In chemistry, the term alcohol refers to a whole class of organic compounds that include a hydroxyl group – consisting of an oxygen atom and a hydrogen atom – bonded to a carbon atom. In common parlance, however, the word alcohol usually refers to a specific chemical with the formula C2H5OH, which chemists call ethanol.

What should I know about alcohol?

Your starting point for information about alcohol — what it is, how it affects you, how much is safe to drink, standard drinks, alcohol laws and what we’re doing to reduce alcohol-related harm. What is alcohol? Alcohol is a drug. Like other drugs, it affects the way your body works and can be toxic and addictive.

Alcohol References

If you want to know more about Alcohol, consider exploring links below:

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