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Alcohol

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  • First Online:
Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science

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Synonyms

Ethanol

Definition

Alcohol is a by-product of fermentation of sugar.

Introduction

When alcohol is discussed in the context of health, often it refers to consumable forms of alcohols. In this regard, ethanol is often taken up for discussion or debate. Less often methanol is also discussed in the context of health due to its toxic effects. Worldwide, ethanol is used as alcoholic beverages in social gatherings (World Health Organization 2018). When alcohol is used in harmful pattern, it results in significant health hazards. Harmful use of alcohol increases the vulnerability for many noncommunicable as well as infectious diseases. Alcohol has negative impact on maternal and child health. Alcohol attributes to many psychiatric disorders and accidents. Hence, it stands as an obstacle before the Sustainable Development Goals (World Health Organization 2018). This entry aims at giving a brief over view of alcohol with special emphasis on health and sociocultural aspects of ethanol.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, King George’s Medical University, Lucknow, UP, India

    Sujita Kumar Kar

Authors
  1. Sujita Kumar Kar
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sujita Kumar Kar .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, USA

    Todd K. Shackelford

  2. Rochester, MI, USA

    Viviana A. Weekes-Shackelford

Section Editor information

  1. Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Nipissing University, North Bay, ON, Canada

    Steven Arnocky

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Kar, S.K. (2020). Alcohol. In: Shackelford, T., Weekes-Shackelford, V. (eds) Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16999-6_782-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16999-6_782-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-16999-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-16999-6

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference Behavioral Science and PsychologyReference Module Humanities and Social SciencesReference Module Business, Economics and Social Sciences

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