Fact: One 12-ounce can of beer, one 4-ounce glass of wine or one normal mixed drink or cocktail are all equally intoxicating.

Fact: Mixing types of drinks may make an individual feel sicker, but not more intoxicated. Alcohol is alcohol.

Fact: Drinking on a full stomach will only delay the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream, not prevent it. Eating before drinking is not a defense against becoming intoxicated.

Fact: A penny in the mouth or under the tongue will not change the level of intoxication or fool a quality breathalyzer. Pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, etc. do not absorb alcohol.

Fact: Many factors that affect a person's reaction to alcohol — body weight, metabolism, gender, body chemistry, altitude, other medications, and many others.

Fact: Women are sometimes affected more rapidly because they tend to have a slightly higher proportion of fat to lean muscle tissue, thus concentrating alcohol a little more easily in their lower percentage of body water. They also have less of an enzyme (dehydrogenase) that metabolizes or breaks down alcohol.

Fact: One in three 18- to 24-year olds admitted to emergency rooms for serious injuries is intoxicated. And alcohol is associated with homicides, suicides, and drowning's.

Fact: It takes about 3 hours to eliminate the alcohol content of two drinks, depending on an individual's weight. Nothing can speed up this process – not even coffee or cold showers.

Fact: Alcohol increases the risk for many deadly diseases, such as cancer. Drinking too much alcohol too quickly can lead to alcohol poisoning, which can kill. In some instances, alcohol brings on highly aggressive and belligerent behavior, which is especially dangerous and contributes to all manner of injury to the drinker as well as those around them.