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Addiction: Alcohol

Why does it affect behaviour?

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The effect of increasing doses of alcohol works a bit like a general anaesthetic: the faculties to be acquired last in life – conduct and behaviour – are the first to go and vice versa. Behaviour is quickly altered as anyone visiting a busy bar on a Friday night will know: it's called 'letting your hair down' in British culture but antics are often more extreme than the phrase suggests. The loss of inhibitions may feel pleasant at first but can get people into a lot of trouble, such as violence and accidents.

EthanolHopsOld ale houseWedding scene
Monkey eating fruitHappy drinkersPacked barDrunk
Scans of the brainBlurred image of road aheadOffice worker at their deskPerson under anaesthetic
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