Alcohol is a colorless, volatile, and pungent liquid found in fermented liquors such as beer, wine, wine coolers, champagne, and liquors. Alcohol is a depressant to the central nervous system. Alcohol is transported through the bloodstream to all parts of the body. Alcohol is the primary cause of liver disease, nutritional deficiencies, and is related to half of all traffic fatalities and homicides in the United States. Individuals with drinking problems have higher rates of divorce and suicide than the general population.
Alcohol use has many damaging effects on all areas of a person's life.
Physical dependence upon alcohol means that alcohol has become part of a person's normal physical functioning. Physical dependence is characterized by withdrawal symptoms when alcohol use is suddenly discontinued. Onset of this condition usually occurs12-24 hours after the last drinking episode. FAS is one of three most prevalent birth defects and is the only one which is completely preventable. In 1993, an estimated 17,500 people were killed in alcohol-related automobile crashes.