This section looks at what alcohol is, what happens when you drink alcohol, blood alcohol levels, and interactions with other drugs.
Alcohol (ethanol or ethyl alcohol) is the ingredient found in beer, wine and spirits that causes intoxication. It also contributes energy (kilojoules or Calories) in to our diets. Find out more.
After a drink is swallowed, the alcohol is rapidly absorbed into your blood. Find out what happens next and what affects how fast alcohol is broken down in your body.
Have a look at the table of the symptoms of effects of alcohol at different levels of blood alcohol concentration (BAC).
Find out how alcohol interacts with many drugs, including prescribed and over-the-counter medicines, herbal medicines and illegal drugs.