AlcoholEthanol, more commonly known as alcohol, is produced by a process called fermentation or distillation. This class of substances called alcohol is made up of hundreds of organic compounds. Alcohol is classified into two categories: undistilled/fermented or distilled. Examples of non-distilled alcohol include: beer and wine. Some examples of distilled alcohol include: vodka, rum, gin and whiskey. Just as there are different types of alcoholic beverages, there are different types of alcohol consumers. Alcohol users are classified according to their alcohol consumption into current consumers, heavy drinkers and heavy drinkers. Alcohol is one of the most commonly abused drugs, it is considered a psychoactive drug and is second only to caffeine in terms of consumption. (Pociluyko 2003) Alcohol falls into the category of depressants. Alcohol Chemistry Alcohols are characterized by a hydroxyl group (OH) bonded to a carbon atom. (Universal Encyclopedia Glossary). O represents part oxygen and H represents part hydrogen atom. There are many types of alcohol, but one common factor that ties them together is that they all contain the same psychoactive agents. Alcohol can be classified as primary, secondary or tertiary depending on which carbon of the alkyl group is attached to the hydroxyl group. Most alcohols are colorless liquids or solids at room temperature. Root of Administration The most common method by which alcohol is consumed in the body is through oral ingestion in liquid form. However, there are other ways in which a person can ingest alcohol, intravenously or inhaling alcohol in vapor form. Stages of Addiction It is important to understand that there is no set time frame for how long it takes to go through them. ..... middle of paper ...... Walkup, Bilder, Crystal, 2009; Agabio, Marras, Gessa and Carpiniello, 2007)Alcohol consumption not only impacts the user, but also the community. In some parts of the world, excessive alcohol consumption has played a major role in increasing incidents of violence and crime. “Family units are often affected if one member of the family is a heavy drinker (Butcher, Mineka & Hooley, 2005). Family problems such as marital breakdown, domestic violence and spousal abuse are closely linked to high alcohol consumption. (Skrtic, Karlovic, Kruljac, 2008; Ogborne, 2000). Likewise, risky practices such as drunk driving and unacceptable sex are linked to alcohol consumption. “Alcohol is also considered a causal factor in most road accidents. Financial problems and job loss are also associated with high-risk alcohol use. (Shand, Gates, Fawcett and Mattick, 2003)