Alcohol is a psychoactive drug. It changes the way your brain works.
Alcohol is a depressant drug.
One beer (341 ml) = one glass of wine (142 ml) = one shot of liquor (43 ml). All contain the same amount of ethyl alcohol. Most mixed drinks served at parties contain more alcohol per drink.
Alcohol is broken down by the liver at a set rate. Drinking coffee or having a cold shower will not help you sober up.
Alcohol is an anesthetic. It can make you pass out if you drink too much.
Alcohol passes more slowly into the bloodstream if there is food in the stomach.
Very small amounts of alcohol are excreted in your breath, sweat and urine (2% to 5%).
Alcohol may relax you and make you less able to make responsible decisions.
Alcohol may cause mood swings.
Alcohol affects people’s judgments and inhibitions. People who are under the influence of alcohol may do things they wouldn’t normally do.
Alcohol is likely to make you less cautious.
Alcohol impairs your judgment.
Alcohol affects vision by decreasing
- peripheral (side) vision
- frontal vision and focusing
- ability to recover from glare
- number and speed of scans (you look around less)
- depth perception (you have trouble judging how far away things are)
- colour sensitivity
Alcohol decreases your ability to react appropriately. Your reflexes may become slower, and your reactions may be delayed or exaggerated.
Alcohol may make you less patient.
Alcohol impairs muscle co-ordination.
