Biologic Concomitants of Alcoholism

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Abstract
DependenceThe occurrence of withdrawal signs and symptoms upon cessation of drinking is evidence of physiologic dependence. Dependence is the second major pharmacologic criterion of alcohol addiction. At one time it was thought that the withdrawal syndrome reflected intercurrent illness or vitamin and nutritional deficiency rather than the effects of cessation of drinking. This interpretation of withdrawal phenomena was challenged by the clinical observations of Victor and Adams94 and the studies of Isbell et al.13 Subsequently, it was demonstrated experimentally that withdrawal signs and symptoms occur in alcoholics as a function of cessation of drinking and cannot be accounted for . . .