Alcohol and its effects

Why people drink

Alcohol is a drug that is legal in most countries. The age in which the use/sale of alcohol becomes legal depends on the culture and country. People may drink alcohol for many reasons. Some of these may include to:

Experiment
Socialise with friends
Have fun
Relieve boredom
Relax
Forget worries or problems

Experimentation and alcohol

It is not uncommon for young people to experiment with alcohol. Experimentation does not necessarily lead to problem use. If you are concerned about someone's alcohol use it may be helpful to speak with The Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS). ADIS specialise in drug and alcohol issues.

The effects of alcohol

Like other drugs the affects of alcohol may vary from person to person. Some of the factors that may influence how an individual may be affected by alcohol may include:

How much they have had to drink
How quickly they have drunk the alcohol
Whether they have mixed other drugs
How regularly they drink
Their mood when they are drinking
Their age, sex and body weight
Their general health and nutrition
Whether they have been eating as well as drinking
If they have been binge drinking. Binge drinking means that you have read more