Alcohol

• Alcohol (ethanol) is a commonly consumed drug which is poisonous but the liver can usually remove it before permanent damage or death. It's very addictive
• In small amounts, it makes people feel relaxed and reduces inhibitions
• Large amounts lead to lack of self-control and lack of judgement
• High doses lead to unconsciousness, coma, and death
• Addiction to alcohol can lead to:

  • Cirrhosis of the liver, disease that destroys the liver tissue and liver cells are replaced with scar tissue that can't carry out vital cards
  • It's a carcinogen and can lead to risk of developing liver cancer
  • Long-term or heavy drinking can lead to brain damage
• If a pregnant woman drinks alcohol, it passes across the placenta into the foetus - leads to low birth weight, premature births, miscarriages and stillbirths
• Developing liver of the baby can't cope with alcohol, so brain and body can be badly affected:

  • It may have facial deformities
  • Liver and heart problems
  • Learning difficulties

  This is known as fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)