ALCOHOL

So many warnings tell you not to drink -- but do they really tell you why? Alcohol affects the body and mind in many different ways.

When someone drinks a lot, you can actually see changes in him or her. Why? In your brain lies the cerebral cortex, which controls your use of reason and judgment. The nerves in these parts of the brain talk to each other by using impulses that travel through neurotransmitters. One of the most common neurotransmitters, gamma-amino butyl acid (GABA) is inhibited when someone drinks alcohol. What this really means is that your brain cannot think as fast. And if this happens, someone could do things that they normally do not do because the alcohol affects the brain's logical thinking.

Alcohol acts like a sedative, which means you feel soothing and relaxing effects. This could make someone feel more relaxed, and end up making fools of themselves and doing things that they later regret.

Alcohol blocks the messages going to your brain, and alters your perceptions and emotions, vision, hearing, and coordination.

Alcoholism is a disease -- just like diabetes or high blood pressure. But having the disease is nothing to be ashamed of. Many people have admitted they are alcoholics and are getting help through Alcoholics Anonymous.