Alcohols are a family of chemical compounds that contain a hydrogen atom attached to an oxygen atom, which is attached to a carbon atom. These include ethanol, which is often used as a gasoline additive, and isopropanol, which is used to disinfect your skin at the doctor's office before you get a shot, so that germs on your skin don't get into your bloodstream.

In conversation, alcohol usually refers to a category of drinks that contain ethanol, like beer, wine, and liquor. When adults drink alcoholic beverages, the alcohol enters their bloodstream and affects how their brain works, making it harder to think clearly, move carefully, or make good decisions. This is why it's illegal for children and teenagers to drink alcohol: their developing brains are especially vulnerable to harm, and alcohol can also make risky situations more dangerous.