If you're visiting the NCADD website to find out about alcohol, you are in the right place. We have chosen to have a separate section about alcohol because it is our most commonly used drug and it represents our number one drug problem. Ethanol, commonly known as alcohol, found in beer, wine and spirits (like whiskey, gin, scotch, vodka, etc.) is a psychoactive drug that has a depressant effect. Alcohol, consumed across cultures, often used to help and promote social interaction, is popular, generally accepted and legal.