Alcohol, for the purposes of consumption, is ethanol. Alcoholic beverages come in numerous forms including beer, wine and hard liquor. Alcohol is produced by fermentation and/or distillation. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, or sedative. It slows brain functions, affects physical coordination and reaction time. Alcohol use is associated with numerous health problems including certain cancers and diabetes. High doses of alcohol can be fatal, and numerous physiological and social problems stem from alcohol use.