Drug Information

Alcohol

It's a fact…

Alcohol is a depressant drug. It is the number one abused drug in our country. There are three types of alcohol: beer, wine and liquor. Each of these is created by fermenting yeast with either grains, fruits or vegetables. Alcohol is absorbed into a person's bloodstream through the stomach lining and slows down the central nervous system. The effects of alcohol on a person's body will depend on that person's age, weight, the time between each drink and if there is food in the stomach. The liver has the job of processing alcohol out of a person's bloodstream. In an average adult male (21 or older) it takes the liver approximately one hour to process one serving of alcohol (12 oz. of beer or 5 oz. of wine or 11/2 oz. of liquor).

Short- and Long-Term Effects of Drinking Alcohol:

• Physical and psychological addiction (alcoholism)
• Impaired judgment and self-control
• Slurred speech
• Altered perceptions and emotions
• Loss of coordination
• Blackouts (memory loss)
• Vitamin deficiencies
• Stomach ailments (ulcers)
• Skin problems
• Sexual impotence
• Damage to central nervous system
• Cirrhosis of the liver
• Increased risk of heart disease/stroke
• Coma
• Death due to alcohol poisoning