[Beneficial and deleterious effects of alcoholic beverages]

Prolonged and excessive intake of alcoholic beverages can lead to addiction, increased tolerance and physical dependence as in the case of other drugs. It is the cause of many deaths due to cirrhosis, cancer and accidents. It favours numerous symptoms and disorders that can be reversible on withdrawal of alcohol. Alcohol is not toxic. Taken in regular and moderate fashion (20 to 30 g of alcohol per day), alcoholic beverages play a psychosocial role that gives a certain pleasure. In addition, many concordant epidemiologic studies support the notion that overall morbidity and mortality are significantly less than in those who abstain. The benefit is particularly evident in mortality due to cardiovascular events, but also in senile dementia and osteoporosis. However, there are no data confirming a cause and effect relationship. Despite this potentially favourable role, it cannot be recommended to suggest the use of alcohol to those who abstain, given the possibility that some might subsequently develop alcohol dependence.