Alcohol is one of the most popular and widely-used drugs in America. It comes in many forms such as beer, wine, and distilled spirits or "hard liquor." Alcohol is legal only to those 21 and older; however, it is used and abused by many who are "underage." Technically, alcohol is considered a "depressant" because the ethanol contained in it slows down your body's systems, including the central nervous system.

An important fact to know about alcohol is that the EARLIER people begin to use it, the MORE likely they are to become addicted to it. Also, the process of addiction can happen much more quickly for people who begin using at an early age. Someone who starts drinking alcohol before the age of 15 can become dependent in as few as 5 to 15 weeks! For people who start using after they turn 21, addiction can take from 5 to 15 years.

To learn more about the effects of alcohol, click on the sidebar "What it Does to You."