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.