What is it?
Alcohol is the most widely tried drug among youth and is the most commonly used and widely abused drug in the country. It is found in beers, wines and hard liquors.

How is it used?
Alcohol is swallowed. It is absorbed by the stomach, enters the bloodstream, going to all tissues.

How does it affect you?
Alcohol's effects vary depending on the user's size, weight, age and sex, as well as the amount of food and alcohol consumed. Alcohol can act as a disinhibitor and also produce dizziness, slurred speech, nausea and vomiting. Even at low to moderate doses, alcohol can significantly impair judgment and coordination. Alcohol can also increase aggressiveness, leading to domestic violence or child abuse. Excessive amounts of alcohol can produce hangovers, with effects such as headache, nausea, thirst, dizziness and fatigue. Long-term effects of large quantities of alcohol can lead to permanent damage to vital organs such as the brain and liver.

© Information on drugs facts comes from a number of sources, primarily the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the Partnership For A Drug-Free America.