Alcohol

Overview

Popular names drink, booze, liquor, beverage, bevvy, plonk, vino
What is it?

Alcohol (chemical name ethanol) is usually found as a beverage and is a colourless liquid in its pure form.

It acts by slowing down the body’s reactions in many different ways.

There are three main forms of alcoholic drink, divided by strength:

  • Beers - up to 7-8% ABV (alcohol by volume)
  • Wines - up to 20% ABV
  • Spirits - up to 40% ABV (in the UK)

 ABV: Alcohol by volume (abbreviated as ABV, abv, or alc/vol) is a standard measure of how much alcohol (ethanol) is contained in an alcoholic beverage drink.

Sought after effects
  • Relaxed feeling
  • Enables people to enjoy socialising
  • Release pent-up aggression
Undesired effects
  • Weakens bodily control and co-ordination
  • Blurred vision
  • Slurred speech
  • Decreased sexual performance

 

How is it taken?

It is usually drunk.