Question: what is the classification of alcohol as a drug
Answer: Alcohol ( USP ) ; Cologne spirit ; Drinking alcohol ; Ethanol ( JAN ) ; Ethylic alcohol ; EtOH ; Ethyl alcohol ; Ethyl hydrate ; Ethyl hydroxide ; Ethylol ; Grain alcohol ; Hydroxyethane ; Methylcarbinol Pregnancy category US : C ( Risk not ruled out ) Dependence liability Moderate Addiction liability Moderate ( 10 -- 15 % ) Routes of administration Common : by mouth , topical Uncommon : suppository , inhalation , ocular , insufflation , injection Drug class Central depressants ; Sedatives ; Anxiolytics ; Euphoriants ; GABA receptor positive modulators ATC code V03AZ01 ( WHO ) Legal status Legal status AU : Unscheduled BR : OTC ( Over the counter ) CA : OTC DE : Unscheduled NZ : Unscheduled UK : General sales list ( GSL , OTC ) US : OTC Pharmacokinetic data Bioavailability 80 % + Protein binding Weakly or not at all Metabolism Liver ( 90 % ) : Alcohol dehydrogenase MEOS ( CYP2E1 ) Metabolites Acetaldehyde ; Acetate ; Acetyl - CoA ; Carbon dioxide ; Water ; Ethyl glucuronide ; Ethyl sulfate Onset of action Peak concentra