What is Alcohol? Alcohol contains ethanol which is a depressant drug that slows down the Central Nervous System. It lowers the blood pressure, body temperature and heart rate.

What are the different forms of alcohol? Wine, wine coolers, beer and distilled spirits all contain alcohol. A 12-ounce wine cooler contains 7% alcohol, the same amount as in 1 1/2 ounces of distilled spirits, 5 ounces of wine or 12 ounces of beer.

How does alcohol affect the body? It is absorbed directly into the bloodstream through the stomach lining when it enters the body. There it goes quickly to the brain and changes how the brain functions. Coordination, vision, depth perception, reflexes, reason and judgment are all effected.

What's the truth about sobering up? The body needs time for the alcohol to reach the liver to be processed. Drinking coffee, taking a walk or a cold shower will not sober a person up.

How do people become addicted to alcohol? Alcoholism is a disease that develops when the brain becomes chemically dependent on the ethanol. Each person is born with a certain level of risk for this disease. Depending on a person's physical make-up and/or genetic make-up, it may take a lot of drinking to trigger alcoholism or it may take just a little.

What are some warning signs of alcoholism?

• Needing a drink to start the day

• Chronic hangovers

• Making excuses to drink

• Frequent absenteeism from school or work

• Sneaking extra drinks, binge drinking

How can a family help?

• Face the truth. The sooner the family can admit there is a problem the sooner treatment can begin.
  • Learn the facts. Learn more about alcoholism and its treatment.
    • Provide support. Let your love one know that you still love and respect him/her as a person.
      • Encourage treatment. Help your love one face his/her drinking problem and get treatment. Call the Spartanburg Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission (SADAC) at 582-7588 for help.