In 2015, among Americans, 11% of adults had consumed alcoholic drink at some point.
An alcoholic drink , or alcoholic beverage , is a drink that contains a substantial amount of ethanol -LRB- informally called alcohol -RRB- , a depressant which in low doses causes euphoria , reduced anxiety , and sociability and in higher doses causes intoxication -LRB- drunkenness -RRB- , stupor and unconsciousness .. drink. drink. ethanol. ethanol. depressant. depressant. euphoria. euphoria. intoxication. Alcohol intoxication. stupor. stupor. unconsciousness. unconsciousness. Long-term use can lead to alcohol abuse , physical dependence , and alcoholism .. alcohol abuse. alcohol abuse. physical dependence. physical dependence. alcoholism. alcoholism. Drinking alcohol plays an important social role in many cultures .. social role. Drinking culture. Most countries have laws regulating their production , sale , and consumption ;. laws. Alcohol law. some countries ban such activities entirely .. some countries. List of countries with alcohol prohibition. ban such activities entirely. prohibition. However , alcoholic drinks are legal in most parts of the world .. The global alcoholic drink industry exceeded $ 1 trillion in 2014 .. drink. drink. alcoholic drink industry. alcohol industry. Alcohol is one of the most widely used recreational drugs in the world .. recreational drugs. recreational drugs. For instance , in 2015 , among Americans , 89 % of adults had consumed alcohol at some point , 70 % had drunk it in the last year , and 56 % in the last month .. Alcoholic drinks are typically divided into three classes -- beers , wines , and spirits -- and typically contain between 3 % and 40 % alcohol by volume .. spirits. Distilled beverage. alcohol by volume. alcohol by volume. Discovery of late Stone Age jugs suggest that intentionally fermented drinks existed at least as early as the Neolithic period -LRB- cir .. Stone Age. Stone Age. Neolithic. Neolithic. 10,000 BC -RRB- .. Many nonhuman animals also consume alcohol when given the opportunity and are affected in much the same way as humans , although humans are the only species known to produce alcoholic drinks intentionally .