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The 27 Club: A Life Cut Short

Psych Basics

Alcohol

Beer, wine, and spirits conjure up thoughts of tasty flavors, social gatherings, and tipsy fun. But alcohol, a depressant, is also associated with the emotional pain and physical ruin of addiction. Experts debate the benefits and risks of drinking and passionately argue over whether moderation or abstinence is the best option for alcoholics.



effects of drinking

Effects of Drinking

Drink to Your Health

Red wine as a cure all.

What Does Alcohol Do to Your Brain?

A review of how alcohol may affect brain functioning.

Drunk and Drifting: How Alcohol Affects Mind Wandering

You're the last to know when you're impaired.

Fieldwork: The Psychological Cocktail

Research shakes up bar behavior.

See Also

Dependence and Addiction

Stress About Alcohol? Heavy Drinking Versus Alcoholism

Drinking a lot can create stress and tax your stress system

Social Drinkers, Problem Drinkers and High-Functioning Alcoholics

Differences and warning signs.

Potential Treatments for Alcoholism and Drug Addiction

An introduction to new treatments.

Is AA Necessary for the Alcoholic?

Thoughts on 12 step programs.

The New Quitter

Relapse is the best teacher on the road to recovery.

See Also

Responsible Consumption

Separating Sensible and Binge Drinking on College Campuses

What we need to teach students.

"Dad, Mom, MUST You Drink That Wine to Feel Good?"

Talking to kids and teens about drinking.

Cheers

Time to take a rational look at alcohol.

See Also

Addiction?
Find a nearby professional for face-to-face help

Addiction Blogs

  • Brenda Iliff

    A Remarkable Recovery

    The battle of addiction.
    By Brenda Iliff
  • Marc Lewis, Ph.D.

    Addicted Brains

    A neuroscientist examines life on drugs.
    By Marc Lewis, Ph.D.
  • Stanton Peele, Ph.D., J.D.

    Addiction in Society

    Addiction—the thematic malady for our society—entails every type of psychological and societal problem.
    By Stanton Peele, Ph.D., J.D.
  • Adi Jaffe, Ph.D.

    All About Addiction

    Helping addicts get their lives back.
    By Adi Jaffe, Ph.D.
  • Ingrid Mathieu, Ph.D.

    Emotional Sobriety

    Recovering from substance addiction—without becoming addicted to spirituality.
    By Ingrid Mathieu, Ph.D.
  • McWelling Todman, Ph.D.

    Seeking Equilibrium

    Social dysregulation, psychopathology and self-medication.
    By McWelling Todman, Ph.D.
  • Joseph Nowinski, Ph.D.

    The Almost Effect

    Helping the nearly alcoholic.
    By Joseph Nowinski, Ph.D.
  • Lance Dodes, M.D.

    The Heart of Addiction

    How psychology drives addictive behavior.
    By Lance Dodes, M.D.

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