The biologists in my lab study the effects of ethanol (alcohol) on the brain. To do this they have to come up with animal based experiments to model various alcohol based conditions. One of these models is known as the alcohol deprivation effect (ADE). What it models is the possible increase in alcohol craving or consumption after a period of withdrawal (deprivation).
One such experiment may expose mice to a volunteer intake of ethanol. Then after a measured amount of time (i.e. two weeks) the ethanol is taken away (i.e. another two weeks); this is known as the deprivation period. Once the deprivation period is over the mouse is reintroduced to choice bottle drinking of ethanol versus a plain solution. This gives the researcher a variety of things to study (i.e. average amount of ethanol consumed, ratio of ethanol versus plain solution consumed, etc).
I have heard the same thing with cigerettes. But I have also heard the other side of the argument that is aleady out of your system (excluding mental cravings) after two weeks. Informative article though, thouroughly enjoyed reading it.
This is true. David Sinclair has basically proven this, but the problem is that the AA Mafia is against this. They don’t want people with alcohol problems to get better, they want to prove their religously oriented worldview. After all, if science were to prove the ADE, then it wouldn’t be this ridiculousness about “disease” would it? And submitting yourself to flagellation by a higher power? Look at the Cure for Alcoholism for more information.
By the way, I might add that the ADE has some REAL implications for science. When people crave alcohol after some time off, it’s not because of some bizarre condition, it’s because of learning theory. I have a great deal of sympathy for individuals suffering from alcohol problems. It’s not that you are the problem, your brain has basically learned incorrectly. Get help, but don’t blame yourself.
Rubbus