Alcohol (drug)
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[[Image:L'Absinthe (1876) - Edgar Degas.jpg|thumb|right|200px|''[[L'Absinthe]]'' ([[1876]]) - [[Edgar Degas]]]] | [[Image:L'Absinthe (1876) - Edgar Degas.jpg|thumb|right|200px|''[[L'Absinthe]]'' ([[1876]]) - [[Edgar Degas]]]] | ||
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- | An '''alcoholic beverage''' is a [[drink]] containing [[ethanol]], commonly known as '''alcohol''', although there are other types of [[alcohol]]. | ||
- | Although it is very popular, [[ethanol]] is a ''very'' strong [[psychoactive drug]] with a [[depressant]] effect, and many societies regulate or restrict its sale and consumption. The drug is often overlooked in its potency. A mere .08% [[blood alcohol content]] is often considered legal [[drunkenness]]. Countries place various legal [[Legal drinking age|restriction]]s on the sale of alcoholic drinks to young people. The manufacture and consumption of alcohol is found to some degree in most cultures and societies around the world, from [[hunter-gatherer]] tribes to organized [[nation state]]s. The consumption of alcohol is often important at social events in such societies and may be an important aspect of a community's [[culture]]. | + | An '''alcoholic drink''', or '''alcoholic beverage''', is a [[drink]] that contains a substantial amount of [[ethanol]] (informally called ''alcohol''), a [[depressant]] which in low doses causes [[euphoria]], reduced anxiety, and sociability and in higher doses causes [[Alcohol intoxication|intoxication]] (drunkenness), [[stupor]] and [[unconsciousness]]. Long-term use can lead to [[alcohol abuse]], [[physical dependence]], and [[alcoholism]]. |
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+ | Drinking alcohol plays an important [[Drinking culture|social role]] in many cultures. Most countries have [[Alcohol law|laws]] regulating the production, sale, and consumption of alcoholic beverages; | ||
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+ | [[List of countries with alcohol prohibition|some countries]] [[prohibition|ban such activities entirely]]. However, alcoholic drinks are legal in most parts of the world. The global [[alcohol industry|alcoholic drink industry]] exceeded $1 trillion in 2014. | ||
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+ | Alcohol is one of the most widely used [[recreational drugs]] in the world. For instance, in 2015, among Americans, 89% of adults had consumed alcohol at some point, 70% had drunk it in the last year, and 56% in the last month. Alcoholic drinks are typically divided into three classes—[[beer]]s, [[wine]]s, and [[Distilled beverage|spirits]]—and typically contain between 3% and 40% [[alcohol by volume]]. | ||
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+ | Discovery of late [[Stone Age]] jugs suggest that intentionally fermented drinks existed at least as early as the [[Neolithic]] period (cir. 10,000 BC). Many nonhuman animals also consume alcohol when given the opportunity and are affected in much the same way as humans, although humans are the only species known to produce alcoholic drinks intentionally. | ||
- | Alcoholic beverages are addictive when consumed in high doses and the state of [[addiction]] to ethanol is known as [[alcoholism]]. | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
The purposeful production of [[alcoholic beverages]] is common in many cultures and often reflects their cultural and religious peculiarities as much as their geographical and sociological conditions. | The purposeful production of [[alcoholic beverages]] is common in many cultures and often reflects their cultural and religious peculiarities as much as their geographical and sociological conditions. |
Revision as of 10:37, 3 September 2017
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An alcoholic drink, or alcoholic beverage, is a drink that contains a substantial amount of ethanol (informally called alcohol), a depressant which in low doses causes euphoria, reduced anxiety, and sociability and in higher doses causes intoxication (drunkenness), stupor and unconsciousness. Long-term use can lead to alcohol abuse, physical dependence, and alcoholism.
Drinking alcohol plays an important social role in many cultures. Most countries have laws regulating the production, sale, and consumption of alcoholic beverages;
some countries ban such activities entirely. However, alcoholic drinks are legal in most parts of the world. The global alcoholic drink industry exceeded $1 trillion in 2014.
Alcohol is one of the most widely used recreational drugs in the world. For instance, in 2015, among Americans, 89% of adults had consumed alcohol at some point, 70% had drunk it in the last year, and 56% in the last month. Alcoholic drinks are typically divided into three classes—beers, wines, and spirits—and typically contain between 3% and 40% alcohol by volume.
Discovery of late Stone Age jugs suggest that intentionally fermented drinks existed at least as early as the Neolithic period (cir. 10,000 BC). Many nonhuman animals also consume alcohol when given the opportunity and are affected in much the same way as humans, although humans are the only species known to produce alcoholic drinks intentionally.
Contents |
History
The purposeful production of alcoholic beverages is common in many cultures and often reflects their cultural and religious peculiarities as much as their geographical and sociological conditions.
The discovery of late Stone Age beer jugs has established the fact that purposely fermented beverages existed at least as early as c. 10,000 BC. It has been suggested that beer may have preceded bread as a staple.
Alcohol and animals
It is widely believed that some animals eat rotting fruit (from the marula tree, as purported in the documentary Animals Are Beautiful People) for this to ferment and make them drunk, however, this has been refuted in the case of at least elephants.
In art
See also
- Alcoholism
- Wine, women and song
- Sex, drugs and rock 'n roll
- Drugs
- History of drugs
- Wine, women and song