Ethyl alcohol is the chemical found in alcoholic beverages. Some distilled beverages, such as gin and vodka, may be as much as 45 percent alcohol, but these beverages are usually diluted as part of a mixed drink. One drink is equal to 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits, five ounces of wine or 12 ounces of beer. All alcohol is poison to some extent.
Some forms can cause blindness if consumed in even small amounts.
The ethyl alcohol in a beverage can be fatal if consumed in large amounts over a short period of time. Children with FAS may have mental retardation, facial and limb irregularities, heart defects, behavioral problems, shorter height, and lower birth weight. Psychological Effects Alcohol is a depressant, but its immediate effect on many users may make them more agitated or aggressive. One reason is that alcohol lowers an individual's inhibitions, freeing them to behave in ways they normally wouldn't, including ways that may be harmful, such as unprotected sex, violence, and drunk driving. Long-term abuse of alcohol can cause severe psychological problems, including extreme anxiety and alcohol dependency.