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Ask An Expert

Alcohol Consumption and Addiction

Toni J. Brayer

Toni J. Brayer, M.D.

California Pacific Medical Center

Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation

Question:

Is drinking hard alcohol more likely to contribute to addiction than wine or beer?

Answer:

The way your body metabolizes alcohol does not change if it is wine, beer or hard spirits.

Addiction depends upon the quantity of alcohol that is consumed, not the type. A 12-oz beer has the same alcohol content as 5 oz of wine or 1.5 oz liquor. Although the alcohol content is less in wine and beer, addiction can develop if a person drinks too much or too often.

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