Alcohol Alcohol is a widely used substance for both science and in technology. Its name comes from an Arabic word al-kuhl meaning " a powder for painting the eyes". The term was later applied to all compounds that contain alcoholic spirits. To most people alcohol is considerd a downer that reduces activity in the nervous system. Some of the things alcohol effects you is, the alcohol intoxicated person exhibits lose muscle tone, loss of fine moter coordination,and often has a staggering "drunken" gait. The eyes may appear somewhat "glossy" and pupils may be slow to respond to stimulus. At high doses pupils may become constricted. At intoxing doses, alcoho