Alcohol.
Street Names - booze, juice, sauce
Description
Alcohol is a depressant drug that slows the brain and the body's reactions. It is a liquid made by the fermentation/distillation of fruit or grain. Alcohol is available commercially as beers, wines, spirits and 'alco-pops'.
How it is used
It is swallowed as a drink, either as purchased or diluted with 'mixers'.
Effects
Common effects of alcohol include loss of inhibitions, relaxation and sociability. The effect depends on the strength of the drink, how fast it is consumed and the weight, gender and mood of the person. Excessive drinking can lead to loss of consciousness and alcoholic poisoning, which can be fatal.
Long term and heavy alcohol use can lead to liver damage, heart disease, brain damage and some cancers. It is recommended that men do not drink more than 3 units, and women not more than 2 units of alcohol per day.
1 unit of alcohol = ½ pint of beer or one glass of wine or a single measure of spirit.
The Law
It is illegal to sell alcohol to anyone under 18 (unless they're 16-17 and eating a meal in a restaurant). The legal limit for driving in the UK is 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood. The number of drinks it takes to reach this level varies from person to person. Safety experts advise people not to drink at all if they are going to drive.
Risk Reduction
- Men who drink more than half to two pints of beer or three glasses of wine a day run the risk of serious health problems;
- Women should not exceed a pint or a couple of glasses of wine per day;
- Mixing alcohol with other drugs is seriously dangerous. This is because drink serves to slow down the nervous system (controlling heart and breathing rate). Combined with other depressant drugs, it could see the body shut down altogether.