Category: Addiction medicine

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared in 2023 that there is no safe amount of alcohol consumption that does not affect health. This statement fundamentally shifts the conversation around the 'safest' way to drink, moving it from a search for a 'healthy' beverage to a focus on mitigating inherent risks associated with all ethanol-containing products.

In a 2014 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, participants using cytisine combined with behavioral support were more successful at quitting smoking at one and six months compared to those using nicotine-replacement therapy. Taking cytisine correctly, which is a plant-based medication used for smoking cessation, involves following a precise tapering schedule over a specific period to manage nicotine cravings and withdrawal symptoms effectively.

Studies have shown that over 25% of hospitalized alcohol abusers have hypovitaminosis B12, a condition rooted in several physiological and lifestyle factors. Understanding why alcoholics have B12 deficiency requires examining the multi-layered impact of chronic alcohol consumption on the body's digestive and metabolic systems.

Reports indicate that up to 80% of individuals with chronic alcoholism may develop a thiamine deficiency. This severe lack of thiamine, also known as Vitamin B1, is an extremely common nutrient deficiency among alcoholics, highlighting the significant impact alcohol has on nutritional health.

Chronic alcoholism is often accompanied by malnutrition, with studies showing that up to 80% of individuals with alcohol addiction develop a deficiency in thiamine (vitamin B1). Understanding what deficiency is associated with alcoholism is crucial for both prevention and treatment, as nutrient depletion has severe health consequences, particularly for brain function.