Alcohol Consumption and Addiction
- Toni J Brayer, M.D.
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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