The Myths and Facts: What Type of Drug is Alcohol?
There are many myths about the question: what type of drug is alcohol? There are even arguments that alcohol is not even a drug, which could not be any further from the truth. Alcohol is indeed a drug. What type of drug is alcohol? Alcohol is known as a depressant. This depressant slows down vital functions of the body. When using this drug you may experience slurred speech, unbalanced movement, unrealistic perceptions, and you may not be able to react quickly to situations mentally or physically.
If there is a clear definition on what type of drug is alcohol, then why do so many people argue that alcohol is not a drug? There are various ways people explain their reasoning. One of the most common reasons people do not believe alcohol is not a drug is because it is legal to use it and is readily available in restaurants and other social settings. Just because it is legal if you are over 21 years old in the United States, does not make it any less dangerous or not a drug. When you take in this drug, it effects you mentally and physically. Alcohol is actually the number one killer of all drug, with prescription drugs coming up closely behind it. People think it is safe because it is legal and that is the wrong way to look at the situation.
Another reason people argue that alcohol is not a drug is because they only classify heroin, cocaine, and other “hard†drugs as actual drugs. This type of thinking comes from someone who has a skewed view on their reality and lifestyle. Almost nobody wants to admit that they are using drugs. Drugs have a bad stigma associated with them. Therefore, when people talking about abusing drugs, everyone pictures a crack addict shaking in a crack house. People that drink do not want that stereotype placed on them. They believe they are in control of the amount of alcohol they are drinking and are not irresponsible like crack addicts. While many people can control how much they drink, it does not make it any less of a drug. Even done in moderation, alcohol is still a drug.
I have heard countless people drunk out of their mind exclaim to me, “Alcohol is not drug!†or “Xanax is not a drug!†as they stumble through their words. People get very defensive, especially when they are in fact abusing drugs. People also have the misconception that since people often say alcohol and drugs, that alcohol is separate from the drug world. I am not really sure how that phrase was started, but it does lead people to believe that they are two separate items, when in reality, they are not.
So again, what kind of drug is alcohol? It is a depressant drug. Alcohol can alter your reality just like any other drug and get you into the same amount of danger as any other drug.
