BOOZE: A YOUNG PERSON'S GUIDE
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Alcohol
Alcohol is a liquid made by fermenting the sugars in fruits, vegetables or grains. It has been used from the earliest times in many cultures. In the UK it was once given to hospital patients to make them sleep.
Effects
Alcohol is a depressant. It slows mental and physical functioning. Small amounts lead to relaxation, but larger amounts lead to loss of consciousness and coma. Balance and emotion are most commonly affected. The effects begin quickly and last several hours. Then the hangover sets in: as alcohol is a diuretic, drinkers lose a lot of water. The toxins cause nausea and stomach ache.
Risks
An excessive amount of alcohol can lead to coma and death from choking on vomit.
There is an increased risk of accidents, especially when driving.
It is associated with violent behaviour.
It lowers inhibitions and can make unsafe sex more likely.
Long-term heavy use leads to tolerance and physical dependence (alcoholism).
Heavy use can also damage the heart, brain, liver, stomach, pancreas, gullet, kidneys and mouth.
In combination with other depressant drugs, it can lead to a fatal overdose.
Legal status
It is illegal for children under five to be given alcohol to drink.
It is an offence for a licensed vendor to sell alcohol to someone under 18.
Children under 14 are allowed in licensed premises if accompanied by an adult, but not in the bar.
14-year-olds are allowed in the bars of pubs without adults, but cannot buy or drink alcohol.
A 16-year-old can buy and drink beer, cider or perry (and wine in Scotland) in a pub if having a meal in an area set aside for eating, or in a restaurant.
An 18-year-old can buy and drink alcohol.
In a few places, byelaws ban the consumption of alcohol in the street.
Absinthe
This anise-flavoured spirit, which was banned in the US and a large part of Europe throughout most of the 20th century, has an alcohol content of 50 percent to 75 percent (100 to 150 proof). The main ingredients are wormwood, fennel and anise. Although it originated in Switzerland, it became famous because of its links with artists and writers in France in the 19th and early 20th century. A revival began in the 1990s.
