Alcohol, sometimes referred to by the chemical name ethanol, [a] is the active ingredient in alcoholic drinks such as beer, wine, and distilled spirits (hard liquor). [11][12][13][14] Alcohol is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant, decreasing electrical activity of neurons in the brain, [15] which causes the characteristic effects of alcohol intoxication ( drunkenness ). [16] Among other. Alcohol’s effects go far beyond hangovers. Prolonged drinking affects your liver, brain, immune system and more. Learn why. Ethanol, one of several alcohols, commonly known as alcohol in everyday life (as a chemical) Alcohol (drug), intoxicant found in alcoholic beverages (as a psychoactive drug) Alcoholic beverage, an alcoholic drink Alcohol (chemistry), a class of compounds Rubbing alcohol, for sanitation and to kill germs This WHO fact sheet on alcohol provides key facts, who is at risk, ways to reduce the burden, and WHO;s response. We know that drinking too much can harm your health. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that if adults (age 21 and older) choose to drink alcohol, drinking less is better for health than drinking more. Includes Alcohol pharmacology, health hazards, usage statistics, pregnancy warnings and treatment options. The new nutrition guidance notably removes the previous recommendation to limit alcohol consumption to 1 drink or fewer daily for women and 2 drinks or fewer per men. Both acute and chronic heavy use of alcohol can interfere with multiple aspects of the immune response, the result of which can impair the body’s defense against infection, impede recovery from tissue injury, cause inflammation, and contribute to alcohol-related organ damage. Alcohol poisoning—high blood alcohol levels that affect body functions like breathing and heart rate. Overdose—from alcohol use with other drugs, like opioids. Sexually transmitted infections or unplanned pregnancy—alcohol use can lead to sex without protection, which can cause these conditions. Alcohol consumption is the third highest preventable cause of cancer in the United States. 3 Recent estimates are that 5.6% (about 100,000) of cancer cases and 4.1% (about 20,000) of cancer deaths are attributable to alcohol consumption. 4 Each drink per day is associated with a 5% to 15% compared to women who do not drink at all. 5,6,7,8,9,10.