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Is alcohol addictive?

April 26, 2017addictive alcohol

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Is alcohol addictive?

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Yes. Traditionally, a drug is addictive if (1) given the choice, animals will self-administer it and (2) in the absence of the drug after chronic administration, animals show signs of both tolerance and withdrawal. Alcohol meets both of these criteria. We know that some individuals are prone to strong cravings for alcohol, but interestingly, almost all users of alcohol have experienced tolerance (needing more alcohol to reach the same level of intoxication) and withdrawal (commonly felt as a hangover – this is why drinking more alcohol is the most effective remedy). These properties do not require large doses or long treatment regimens to emerge – they can occur within a few drinks.