Can people with alcohol problems continue to drink socially?

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March 9, 2007

By Take The First Step , Dr. Michael Levy The Gloucester Daily Times Fri Mar 09, 2007, 02:59 PM EST

Q: I recently met up with a friend whom I hadn't seen in many years. He told me he had experienced a problem with alcohol but is now doing much better. What surprised me is that we had a drink together, and he told me that he now drinks socially. I thought that if a person had an alcohol problem, the only solution was stopping drinking altogether. What do you think about this?A: Without knowing your friend, let me say that alcohol problems are very complicated and complex, and they manifest differently in different people. It is clear, however, that for people who have had serious alcohol problems, refraining from drinking is probably the best approach if they want to stop alcohol from ruining their lives.However, there are people who have experienced less serious alcohol dependence problems who seem to be able to learn how to drink in ways that no longer cause them difficulties. A study of alcohol problems among Americans found that 18 percent of people who had experienced an alcohol dependence problem within one year of the study were able to continue to drink in safe, nonproblematic ways. They were classified as low-risk drinkers. While controversial, the research shows that this is a possible outcome for some people.It may be the case that your friend has gotten a handle on his drinking and is now able to drink in ways that no longer harm him. I do think that people who have shown a vulnerability to develop a problem with alcohol need to remain mindful of the possibility of safe drinking turning into unsafe drinking. Vigilance must be maintained to decrease the chances of this happening.Q: Have you heard of a drug called Acomplia being used to reduce the craving for alcohol?A: Acomplia, or the generic name rimonabant, is a medication that may soon be approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of overeating and possibly even for smoking, but not for alcohol.Research trials have shown that the medication may help reduce the craving for food and nicotine. It works by blocking cannabinoid receptors in the brain. In one study, smokers who took this medication had two times the success rate of quitting smoking and did not gain weight during the process.This medication is available in England and some European countries. It is anticipated that it may soon become available in the United States. * * * Taking the first step is the hardest part of all. Send questions about your or someone else's behavior that could be the result of addiction or related problems to: Take The First Step, c/o Essex County Newspapers, 32 Dunham Road, Beverly, MA 01915; or send e-mail to michael_levy@cabhealth.org. Questions will be answered in confidence by a clinical team led by Dr. Michael Levy, director of clinical treatment services at CAB Health & Recovery Services in Peabody.

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