Alcohol is our most popular drug and over 90% of British adults drink alcohol. For centuries 'ale houses' and beer drinking have been a part of everyday life in Britain probably, in days gone by, because of the lack of pure drinking water, beer was commonly the main drink to have with a meal.

Alcohol (Ethanol) is a depressant drug, which is absorbed quickly into the bloodstream and acts on the central nervous system to slow the body down, making the consumer less inhibited and more relaxed. The resulting effect is dependant on how quickly it was drunk, (whether the person has eaten and their body weight), what the tolerance levels are for that person (whether they are used to drinking large amounts or not) and how the person feels at the time of consumption, (it tends to reflect initial moods i.e. If that person was aggressive then the tendency is for it to get worse.) In small quantities alcohol can make people become more relaxed, feel more confident and often act in a more extroverted manner. In larger quantities alcohol can lead to unconsciousness and even death.

Getting drunk is very common. Nearly half the male population and one in seven women will have been drunk in the past three months.

The Department of Health recommend that men drink no more than 3-4 units per day and that women drink 2-3 units per day assuming that they are in good health. One unit of alcohol is equivalent to half a pint of average strength beer (approx. alcohol 3-4%), one glass (125ml) of wine (approx. alcohol 10%) or one measure (25ml) of spirit or fortified wine.

Young people drink more alcohol than older people. In the late teens and early twenties alcohol consumption is 40-50% higher. Young people tend to get drunk more often, drink more in one session and drink stronger beers, lagers and ciders.

Binge drinking (drinking large quantities of alcohol to get drunk) is an increasing and worrying phenomenon amongst teenagers. Risks associated with binge drinking include: internal physical damage including brain damage, overdose/unconsciousness, and higher risks of being involved in car accidents, criminal behaviour, an increased risk of sexual assault for females and an increase in risk-taking behaviour such as using other drugs, having unsafe sex.

Persons who regularly drink large quantities of alcohol will probably experience some physical, emotional or social problems. Physical problems include liver damage, heart and blood disorders, stomach inflammation and brain damage. Impotence and menstrual irregularity can also occur. Emotional problems can include depression or relationship and family problems. Poor work performance, financial difficulties and legal problems may be some of the social problems experienced.

Alcohol is absorbed directly into the bloodstream through the stomach and the small intestine. All alcohol consumed will reach the bloodstream, no matter how much food is in the stomach and is distributed throughout the water in the body, but not into fatty tissue.

The liver breaks down about 91 per cent of alcohol at a rate of approximately one unit per hour and a small amount leaves the body in urine, sweat and breath. Cold showers, exercise, black coffee, fresh air or vomiting will not speed up the process.

Consuming alcohol with any other types of medication can be dangerous. The effects of one drug may be greatly increased by the other and consuming alcohol with other depressant drugs such as sleeping pills can be fatal.

Sex after heavy drinking leads to the obvious consequences. People are more unlikely to have safe sex and use condoms when they have sexual intercourse which can result in pregnancy or STI's and they are more susceptible to “Date Rape.”

Alcohol is now a major source of government revenue in the UK & in recent years new alcoholic drinks have been targeted at young people such as Alco pops. This may well have lead to more young people drinking at a younger age resulting in increased drunkenness, and more alcohol being consumed in a short space of time.

The number of alcohol related deaths (where alcohol is mentioned on the death certificate) has increased almost every year since 1979 and if you consider deaths where alcohol was a contributory factor then these numbers would be greatly increased.