alcohol | en

In chemistry, an alcohol is any organic compound in which a hydroxyl group (-OH) is bound to a carbon atom of an alkyl or substituted alkyl group. In common terms, the word alcohol refers to ethanol, the type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages. Ethanol is a psychoactive drug that has a depressant effect and engenders behaviour typical of 'drunkeness'. Alcoholic beverages can be addictive, and the state of addiction to alcohol is known as alcoholism. As in the population at large, many musicians are regular drinkers and many have developed alcoholism or other drinking problems. Several odes to alcohol (and "drinking songs") as well as songs warning of the ravages of excessive drinking are to be found in the popular songbook. .