Frequently Asked Questions About Alcohol.

Written by Matthew Tessena, DO

Why is alcohol so addictive?

Alcohol is a complex substance. Unlike other addictive substances, it doesn't have one primary receptor in the brain that is responsible for its effects. We are not exactly sure how it effects the brain. However, it is primarily a sedative and indirectly enhances dopamine activty likely through GABA and opioid receptors. It produces a calm sense of well-being like a sedative.

What is considered one drink of alcohol?

One drink of alcohol is equal to 12 oz beer = 4 oz wine = 1.5 oz hard liquor.

What is a safe amount of alcohol to consume?

At low doses, alcohol can have a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system and improve heart disease risk factors. For a male, a safe dose is 2-3 drinks daily. For a female, a safe dose is 1-2 drinks to day. In addition, women should not exceed 7 drinks a week and men should no exceed 14 drinks a week. Higher doses are classified as "at-risk" drinking by the NIAAA (National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism)

How do I know if I may have an alcohol problem?

If you exceed the above amounts you may have a problem. In addition, we use the CAGE screen in clinical practice. If you answer yes to any of the below questions you may have an alcohol problem:

• Have you felt you ought to cut down on your drinking?
• Have you been annoyed by people criticizing you drinking?
• Have you felt guilty about your drinking?
• Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or get rid of a hangover?

Are certain types of alcohol safer and less addicting then others e.g. wine vs. beer or liquor?

No alcoholic drink is completely safe. All of these drinks contain alcohol which is the addictive substance. When any of these are drank in excess they will cause health problems.

How much will one drink raise my alcohol level in my blood?

While there is variation according to body weight and sex, one drink will on average give you a BAL of 0.02.

How long does it take my body to metabolize alcohol?

On average, it takes 1 hour to metabolize one drink. Again, this varies by body weight and sex.

Why do I get a hangover when I drink too much?

Alcohol is metabolized to acetaldehyde and then to acetate. Acetaldehyde is the metabolism by-product that causes a hangover.

What is alcohol detox?

Alcohol detoxification is the process by which a heavy drinker is safely tapered off alcohol. Usually, sedatives such as diazepam (Valium) or lorazepam (Ativan) are used in decreasing doses over several days. This keeps the patient and guards against serious withdrawal symptoms such as seizures and delirium. It can be done as in inpatient or outpatient under the supervision of a physician

Are there pharmacological treatments for alcohol dependence?

Yes. There are several medications that are approved by the FDA for alcohol dependence. These medications can help reduce cravings and relapses. They include disulfiram (Antabuse), naltrexone (Revia, Vivitrol), and acamprosate (Campral). However, they all must be used in combination with psychosocial treatments to be effective.

What are the psychosocial treatments for alcohol dependence?

The therapies that have proven to be beneficial for treatmetn of alcohol dependence include group therapy, motivational interviewing, relapse prevention, and 12 step programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous.