ABSTRACT
Alcohol is a social drink enjoyed during cultural, festive and social settings, but it is also a powerful poison if consumed in large quantities. Alcohol is a psychoactive substance with dependence-producing properties that, at moderate consumption levels, can be beneficial to health but is harmful at higher levels. For a liquid to be classified as an alcoholic beverage it should typically contain between 3 per cent and 60 per cent ethanol, commonly known as ethyl alcohol or simply alcohol. Traditionally, alcoholic beverages are divided into three drink classes: beers, wines and spirits. Harmful effects caused by alcohol consumption include toxic effects on organs and tissues, intoxication leading to impairment of physical coordination, consciousness, cognition and perception, and behavioural changes. In addition to physical and mental harm, alcohol consumption can also have socio-economic consequences. Humans have consumed alcoholic beverages since prehistoric times for a variety of hygienic, dietary, medicinal, religious and recreational reasons.
