The myth of "the average alcohol response"

The human alcohol response literature often states or implies that there is little variation among normal individuals in their responses to a standard dose. To test this assumption, a wide variety of alcohol responses was reviewed in studies where the original, individual responses were available. All such responses showed variability among individuals. Seven alcohol responses (individual changes from pre-alcohol baseline in heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, automobile driving ability, and three tests for intoxication) in normal males are analyzed in detail. Each response shows marked, significant individual variability. Genetic differences among individuals (in addition to environmental differences) are probably important in producing this variability. Since normal persons can vary greatly in their alcohol responses, it is not only incomplete but misleading to give only the mean value. Information on the range and frequency distribution of responses is also needed.