Biochemical and hematological consequences of posttreatment drinking behavior in male alcoholics

A prospective study was designed to determine the effects of posttreatment alcohol consumption by alcoholics on 25 commonly ordered clinical laboratory tests. Laboratory values were determined on 56 male alcoholics on admission to an alcoholism treatment program and again some 7 months later. Although there was a significant decrease in posttreatment alcohol consumption, frequency of drinking and quantity per occasion were predictive of approximately half of the laboratory tests. Increased frequency or quantity per occasion predicted more impaired hepatic and hematologic functioning. Additional analyses revealed that abstainers showed significant improvement in hepatic and hematologic parameters, whereas drinkers had levels similar to those observed at admission. Continued alcohol consumption by alcoholics increases the risk of adverse medical consequences as measured by clinical laboratory tests.