In this video, we look at alcohol, one of the most widely used drugs in the world. Alcohol belongs to the depressant class of drugs and is the most commonly used recreational drug in Australia. It is often mistakenly believed to be a stimulant because drinking a small amount may initially reduce tension or inhibitions, making a person feel more relaxed or excited. However, as you will see in this video, alcohol is a depressant of the central nervous system that works to slow down messages travelling between the brain and body.

‘Drugs and the Body’ is a nine-part video series being released in 2023 by NDARC featuring Professor Shane Darke. The video series will be covering material found in the following books The Clinician‘s Guide to Illicit Drugs and Health  and The Pocket Guide to Drugs and Health, Co-Authored by NDARC’s Director, Professor Michael Farrell, Professor Shane Darke, and Associate Professor Julia Lappin.