Alcohol enters the bloodstream through your stomach and small intestine, and from there it travels to the brain. Because alcohol is a depressant, it slows down the functions of your body. The effects of alcohol on your body include slower reaction time, less coordination, and impaired vision. Alcohol also makes it harder to think clearly and make good decisions.

Getting “drunk” is your body’s reaction to drinking too much alcohol. When you’re drunk, your brain function is impaired and your blood vessels dilate (meaning that you feel warmer, but your body is actually losing heat). Your risk of getting into a car crash, a physical fight, or sustaining an injury is also increased.