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What is Alcohol
Effects on the Brain
Effects on the Body
The Process

What is Alcohol?

Alcohol is one of the most widely used drugs in the world. The alcohol in drinks is a chemical called ethanol. It is made by brewing grains or fruits that contain sugar, with water and yeast.

Although alcohol is legal for adults, it is still a drug because it changes the way the brain and body work. It can affect feelings. thoughts, behaviour, judgement, coordination and reaction times.

Alcohol affects everyone differently depending on the food eaten, body size, tiredness, what they are drinking, how quickly they drink, and general health.

What alcohol actually is

  • Alcohol is a chemical called ethanol.

  • It is made by brewing grains or fruits with sugar,
    water and yeast.

  • Common types include beer, wine, cider and spirits.
  • All alcoholic drinks contain ethanol.
  • Alcohol is a drug because it affects the brain and body.

Common Types of Alcoholic Drinks

Alcohol appears in different types of drinks, such as beer, wine, cider and spirits. These drinks may look and taste different, but they all contain ethanol.

Alcohol is a chemical called ethanol

Ethanol is the ingredient that causes the effects people feel when they drink alcohol. It can make someone feel relaxed or more confident at first, but it can also affect judgement, mood, coordination and decision-making.

Alcohol is a drug

Alcohol is described as one of the most widely used drugs in the world. It affects the brain and body, which is why it can change how someone feels, thinks and behaves.

Quick fact

Alcohol may feel normal because it is common in social situations, celebrations and advertising, but it still affects the brain and body like a drug.

How alcohol affects the brain

Alcohol is a depressant, which means it slows down brain activity.

It disrupts chemical messages in the brain, affecting feelings, thoughts and behaviours.

It can reduce inhibitions, making someone feel more relaxed, less anxious or more confident at first. These effects can wear off quickly and can then lead to anger, depression or anxiety.

Alcohol slows thinking and decision-making. It can affect judgement, coordination and reaction times.

However, these effects can wear off quickly. The chemical changes in the brain can then lead to more negative feelings, such as anger, depression or anxiety.

Alcohol and the brain

Alcohol can affect your:
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    Inhibitions
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    Mood

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    Confidence

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    Judgement

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    Coordination

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    Reaction Times

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    Memory

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    Decision-Making

How alcohol affects the body

Alcohol enters the bloodstream through the stomach and small intestine.

Once in the bloodstream, it travels around the body and especially affects the brain

The liver is mainly responsible for breaking down alcohol, but this takes time.

Different people are offected different

Factors that affect how alcohol affects you:

  • The type of drink
  • Whether someone has eaten
  • Body size and body composition
  • Biological sex
  • Age
  • Metabolism
  • Stress levels
  • Tiredness
  • Medication
  • How quickly alcohol is consumed

Food can slow the absorption of alcohol.

Drinking on an empty stomach can make the effects stronger and faster.

What happens after a drink?