CATEGORY
Depressants

COMMON NAMES
Drink, booze

ITS HISTORY
Back in Palaeolithic times, when the first humans were using stone tools, there were already fermented drinks made from grain (beer), fruit juice (wine), or honey (honey wine). The alcohol content of these drinks was very low.

Later, around 700 A.D., the Arabs learned the technique of distillation, which results in beverages with higher alcohol content.

It was in the 18th century, with the introduction of the mass production and distribution of spirits like gin, that drinking problems really took off. Interestingly enough, it was in the mid-18th century that the word "booze" was coined.

ITS APPEARANCE
Alcohol is a liquid found in many types of drinks: beer, coolers, wine, cider, aperitifs, liqueurs, and spirits.

ITS FAMILY
Alcohol is a member of the depressant family, which means it acts on the central nervous system, numbing the brain and slowing the body down.

ITS EFFECTS
Alcohol enters the body through the digestive system, then moves into the blood and eventually affects the entire body. It is slowly eliminated by the liver. Eating while drinking slows down the effects of alcohol. The body needs an average of one hour to eliminate the alcohol contained in one drink (the equivalent of one beer or glass of wine). The smaller or more tired you are, the faster and stronger the effects.

When one drinks alcohol, one’s muscles relax, one’s heart beats slower, and one loosens up. People also tend to be more talkative. Is what they say more intelligent? That's a whole other story!

At first, one feels euphoric and excited, and wants to tell jokes. "A guy walked into a bar..." Then one slows down. "A guy, umm... walked into... uh..." Drinking too much can interfere with your balance and speech. "Uh guy walked inta a baarr..." It can also upset your stomach and make you nauseous or throw up.