What does alcohol primarily affect in a person?

Alcohol primarily affects judgment and reasoning by impairing a person's ability to think clearly and make rational decisions. When someone consumes alcohol, it influences the central nervous system and disrupts the brain's communication pathways. This can lead to poor decision-making, overconfidence, and a lack of insight into one's own level of impairment.

Although alcohol does have effects on motor skills, coordination, and vision, its most significant initial impact is on cognitive functions. This impairment can manifest as difficulty in assessing situations, underestimating risks, or making hasty decisions, all vital aspects of safe driving and everyday behavior. In a driving context, impaired judgment can lead to dangerous situations, as individuals may fail to recognize unsafe conditions or behave recklessly.