What is it?
Alcohol (ethanol) is a depressant drug found in drinks such as beer, wine, cider and spirits. It is legal for adults in the UK and is socially normalised, which can make problems harder to recognise and harder to talk about.
Common forms
- Beer, lager and cider
- Wine and fortified wine
- Spirits
- Pre-mixed drinks
How it affects the body
Alcohol slows activity in the central nervous system, affecting coordination, judgement, memory and breathing. It is processed mainly by the liver and affects almost every organ system with sustained heavy use.
Short-term effects
- Relaxation and lowered inhibition
- Reduced coordination and slower reactions
- Impaired judgement and memory gaps
- Nausea and vomiting
- Loss of consciousness at higher levels
Long-term effects
- Liver disease
- Increased risk of several cancers
- Cardiovascular problems
- Effects on mood, sleep, memory and thinking
- Impacts on relationships, work and finances
Dependence and addiction
Dependence can develop when the body and brain adapt to regular use. It is not a moral failing or a lack of willpower. Signs people describe include needing more to get the same effect, difficulty cutting down, spending more time thinking about use, and continuing despite harm. Support is available at any stage — you do not need to have reached a crisis point. Alcohol dependence is common and treatable, and NHS and community services support people whether they want to reduce or stop.
Withdrawal
Alcohol withdrawal can be medically dangerous, including seizures and delirium in some people. Never stop suddenly after heavy, regular drinking without medical advice. Speak to a GP, a pharmacist or a local alcohol service about a safe plan.
Overdose risks
Alcohol poisoning is a medical emergency. Warning signs include confusion, vomiting while drowsy, slow or irregular breathing, cold or blue-tinged skin, and being unable to wake someone. Call 999 and place the person in the recovery position if they are breathing.
Mixing substances
Mixing alcohol with other depressants — including opioids, benzodiazepines, gabapentinoids and some prescribed medicines — increases the risk of stopped breathing. Alcohol also interacts with many medicines; ask a pharmacist.
Harm-reduction information
- Know the UK Chief Medical Officers' low-risk drinking guidelines (gov.uk)
- Avoid drinking alone if you are unwell or taking sedating medicines
- Eat and stay hydrated; space out drinks
- Never leave someone who is very drunk to 'sleep it off' alone
- Talk to a pharmacist about interactions with your medicines
When to seek urgent medical help
Call 999 if someone is unconscious or cannot be woken, is having difficulty breathing, has a seizure, has chest pain, becomes very confused or agitated, or you are worried they may have overdosed. For urgent advice that is not life-threatening, call NHS 111. You will not get someone into trouble by calling for medical help.
Treatment and recovery options
- Talking therapies and structured psychosocial support
- Community drug and alcohol services, including self-referral where available
- Medication-assisted treatment where clinically appropriate
- Medically supported withdrawal, arranged and monitored by clinicians
- Peer support and recovery communities
- Residential rehabilitation for some people, usually via assessment
- Support for related needs — mental health, housing, family and welfare
UK support resources
- NHS — health information and service finders (nhs.uk)
- Talk to FRANK — UK drug information service (talktofrank.com)
- Your local community drug and alcohol service — many accept self-referrals
- Local pharmacy teams, who can offer advice and signposting
Sources / references
This page is a plain-language summary written for education. For clinical or legal detail, use authoritative UK sources: NHS (nhs.uk), Talk to FRANK (talktofrank.com), NICE (nice.org.uk), UK Government and devolved government publications, and guidance from UK professional bodies. Each page on this site carries a review date, and we welcome corrections.