Alcohol

Ethanol is a particular type of alcohol produced by the fermentation of foods and grains. The most common sources are barley, hops, grapes, and potatoes. Other commonly available alcohol types are highly poisonous even in smaller quantities. These include methanol (found in glass cleaners), isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol), and ethylene glycol (automobile antifreeze solutions). In this manual when refer to alcohol, we mean ethanol.

Alcohol depresses the actions of the brain, causing progressive impairment and basically reducing the flow of signals. In addition to disinhibition, the most common effects are memory loss (and sometimes blackout), confusion, disorientation, uncoordinated movements, lethargy, coma, and respiratory shutdown (often fatal).

Alcohol, although legal in most countries, has about the same addiction potential as cocaine. Surprised? Unfortunately, the legal status of a drug doesn’t necessarily indicate how potentially addictive it is. Tobacco, another highly addictive substance (even more addictive for lab animals than cocaine), is also legal.

Alcoholism is an enormous medical and social problem. The long-term effects of alcohol on the body are serious. It affects the brain and nervous system, which controls behavior and body functions, as well as the pancreas and liver.

Alcohol also affects the immune system and hinders resistance to disease.