We, humans, try to improve our environment, physical condition, the way we think and behave, in order to feel comfortable and to live a fulfilled life.

with specific goals, and continuously interacts with behavioral options and life circumstances.

However, any behavior used to modify the mood can turn into an addiction.

While a small percentage of the population starts using psychotropic substances (as prescribed medication) as early as childhood years, most individuals engage in abusive used of psychotropic substances during puberty or teenager years. Puberty is usually a difficult period characterised by tumultous, external and internal crises. However, when the youth's emotions and moods are unpredictably and unpleasant influenced by dysfunctional thoughts or social pressure,the interiour balance should be re-established through healthy strategies not with the help of psychotropic substances.

Alcohol is used either as aliment, or psychoactive substance. It is consumed in small amount by people that enjoy drinking in different social settings. Alcoholic beverages are available on the market and can be easily purchased. Most people drink in social context (in a group of friends or at parties). When consumed in limited amounts, the alcohol is associated with a pleasant effect. Warning:a harmless alcohol consumption can easily become abusive when it is used for its relaxing and pleasant effect.

As aliment, 1g of alcohol has a nutritional value of 29 kJ. Even if its nutrition value is pretty high (producing more energy than the body needs), the alcohol does not have a significant nutritional value for a healthy and balanced diet. For example, 1 litre of beer has a caloric value of 2,000kj reprezenting 20% of the daily energy needed by a man with a medium level of physical activity. The same caloric value is contained in 0,7 liters of win or 0,25 liters of strong alcoholic drinks.

As a psychoactive substance, the alcohol is a sedative such as barbiturates (such as Nembuthal, Secobarbital) and light tranquilizers (such as Meprobamat, Diazepam). A sedative is a substance that decreases the central nervous system's activity, altering the behavior, conscience state, and mental disposition.

Alcoholic beverages have a sedative effect on the central nervous system when are consumed (on purpose) to reach a relaxed mental state. In some cases, the alcohol sold as medication (various pain killers, tranquilizers) can be used as an universal panacea for different symptoms.

Unfortunately, the alcohol is perceived as an essential part of our life, culture and economy, and not as a drug.

Some people can drink alcohol bevarages in small amounts and avoid the negative consequences of getting intoxicated, but the majority unnoticeably slip into addiction, paying a higher price by damaging their health and even their life.

When the amount of alcohol ingested exceeds the maximum amount of 40 grams of pure alcohol per day, the risk of harmful effects are very high.