Contrary to popular belief alcohol is a depressant not a stimulant. Alcohol is the second most commonly used drug in the United States trailing only caffeine. Both drugs are legal, socially acceptable, readily available and inexpensive.

Beer is by far the most popular alcoholic beverage of choice. In 2003, the average per capita consumption of beer in the United States was 21.6 gallons. Compare this to an average of 2.2 gallons of wine and 1.3l gallons of distilled spirits. According to the statistics, beer is almost 10 times as popular as wine.

Most people think about the effects of alcohol in terms of temporary light-headedness or a hangover the next morning. Most people are also aware that excessive alcohol use can cause serious damage to the liver.

Some believe alcohol to be an aphrodisiac probably because low to moderate amounts of alcohol reduce fear and decrease sexual inhibitions. However, excessive consumption of alcohol tends to impair sexual performance.

Intoxication occurs when alcohol is consumed into the blood stream faster than it can be oxidized by the liver. Several factors influence alcohol absorption including: body weight, stomach contents, and individual tolerance.

Time is the only known way to rid the body of alcohol. The more slowly an individual drinks the more time the liver has to oxidize the alcohol. Anyone who has consumed too much alcohol knows the misery of a hangover. Hangovers cause absenteeism as well as reduced productivity at work or school. The major symptoms of a hangover are well known but the causes of the symptoms are not fully understood.

No scientific evidence exists to support popular hangover cures such as vitamins, raw eggs, black coffee, and “alkalizers.” Physicians recommend rest, food, and consumption of the non-alcoholic liquids to combat a hangover

The long-term health consequences of alcohol abuse are well documented. Approximately 20% of mouth and throat cancers are related to drinking alcohol. And nearly 1/3 of cancers of the esophagus and ¼ of cancers of the liver have been linked to alcohol consumption. Alcohol consumption has also been linked to heart disease, stroke and cirrhosis of the liver. Finally, about 20% of motor vehicle accidents involve alcohol consumption

Alcohol can be dangerous or even fatal when used in combination with other drugs. People often forget that alcohol is a drug because it is so easily available and socially acceptable. However when an individual takes medications while drinking alcohol he or she is really ingesting two drugs. Whether the other drug is an illegal drug such as cocaine, an over the counter drug like cough medicine, or a prescribed antibiotic drug the combination can be harmful or even deadly in extreme cases.

The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that any individual who regularly consumes three alcoholic beverages per day should check with the doctor before taking aspirin or any other over the counter pain killer. Combining alcohol with aspirin or other painkilling drugs may promote stomach bleeding.