What it does

Alcohol depresses the central nervous system. It slows reflexes, impairs judgment, and — at high enough doses — suppresses breathing. It is the most widely used depressant and one of the most dangerous when combined with others.

Safer-use principles

• —Pace to one standard drink per hour. Alternate with water.
• —Eat before and during. Food slows absorption and reduces the peak.
• —Never drink and drive. Even below the legal limit, reaction time drops.
• —Blackouts are not just 'a lot to drink' — they are memory-formation failure and a sign of dangerous levels.

Dangerous combinations

Alcohol + opioids, benzodiazepines, or GHB is the leading pattern in depressant overdose deaths. Alcohol + cocaine forms cocaethylene, which is more cardiotoxic than either alone.

If something goes wrong

Slow or irregular breathing, blue lips, vomiting while unresponsive, unable to wake — call 911. Turn them on their side (recovery position). Do not leave them alone.