Frequently Asked Questions
Here are a number of frequently asked questions about alcohol and drug abuse that may be of interest to you. If you have additional questions, please feel free to direct them to us via the Contact Us function.
|
Q1. |
For a 170 pound male, how many glasses of wine consumed within one hour are likely to result in a blood alcohol level which is above legal levels for driving a car? |
|
A1. |
One. |
|
Q2. |
Does the risk of relapse ever decrease with alcoholics once they have stopped drinking? |
|
A2. |
Yes. After 5 years of abstinence the risk of relapse drops to 20%, about that of other chronic diseases once they have been in remission for that length of time. |
|
Q3. |
How much alcohol must one drink to suffer from active alcoholism? |
|
A3. |
None. The symptoms of the disease, restlessness, irritability, and discontent, are relieved by the ingestion of alcohol and other mood altering substances. Compulsive use occurs as suffers attempt to treat the symptoms. |
|
Q4. |
Are alcoholics more likely to abuse drugs as compared to the general population? |
|
A4. |
Yes. They also have more suicide attempts and suffer depression more frequently as compared to the general population. |
|
Q5. |
Is binge drinking with beer less dangerous than binge drinking with white wine? |
|
A5. |
No. More then one average size serving is abuse. Switching types of alcohol to control drinking is an example of denial, a common pattern of rationalization among alcohol dependent individuals. |
|
Q6. |
Does Disulfiram (AntabuseŽ) decrease the need to drink alcohol? |
|
A6. |
No. It is an aversive therapy that makes an individual sick when drinking. |
|
Q7. |
Are any medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat alcohol dependence? |
|
A7. |
Yes. Naltrexone, to reduce craving and Disulfiram (AntibuseŽ) an aversive therapy. |
|
Q8. |
Which substance is responsible for the most deaths in the U.S.? |
|
A8. |
Alcohol. |
|
Q9. |
Are any special problems associated with the combined use of alcohol and cocaine? |
|
A9. |
Yes. When individuals use cocaine and drink alcohol at the same time, a very toxic metabolite of cocaine is formed. |
|
Q10. |
Which neurotransmitter is believed to play the most important role in drug addiction? |
|
A10. |
Dopamine, although the interaction is complex. Serotonin is the neurotransmitter most highly associated with recovery behavior. |
