• Afflicts 15 to 20 million Americans and affects 3 to 4 times as many family members, coworkers, and friends.
• Is involved in half of all fatal automobile accidents and is responsible for more than 100,000 deaths annually, representing about 5% of all deaths in the United States.
• Through Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, is the third leading cause of birth defects with accompanying mental retardation.

PROGRESS IN MEDICAL RESEARCH

Alcohol is the most widely used drug in the United States. Unlike most other drugs, alcohol carries the potential to damage many organs of the body; including the heart, brain, liver, and digestive system. Although the causes of alcoholism are not completely understood, researchers have made significant strides in understanding this major health-care problem. Scientists have found that alcoholism is the result of a combination of biological and behavioral components. In some individuals it is now possible to identify genetic factors, in addition to environmental, that account for some people's susceptibility to become alcoholic. Current estimates of the number of people affected by alcoholism are probably low, due to the millions of people who never seek treatment. Since tolerance to alcohol is in part a learned phenomenon, some alcoholics achieve higher dosing without medical complications or withdrawal symptoms. These "hidden" alcoholics may appear generally sober even though judgment in other higher mental faculties is prominently impaired.

What has animal research shown about alcoholism?

Essential information about alcoholism has come from studies with animals showing sensitivities and responses to alcohol similar to those of humans. Research with monkeys has shown that prolonged periods of drinking produces specific brain damage, revealing important clues to the causes of blackouts, disorientation, and loss of memory. Studies with rats suggest a connection between alcohol and stressors contributing to heart disease. Additional studies with rats are exploring the processes of alcohol craving, dependency, and tolerance; and the genetic basis for these phenomena. Contributing to the study of withdrawal is a rat strain sensitive to low doses of alcohol. Nutritional studies with pigs may lead to specific dietary recommendations which can prevent malnutrition and liver disease from chronic alcoholism.

Is animal research on alcoholism still needed?

Although animal models have revealed important information on possible causes of alcoholism, more research is crucial. One unanswered question is how alcohol interacts with the central nervous system and what the specific neurotransmitter systems are. Research using animals plays an essential role in mapping these processes. Animal research is also necessary for learning how alcohol and other drugs interact because in many instances they are combined.

What's ahead for research on alcoholism?

Finding the causes of alcoholism and developing effective treatments are high research priorities. In addition to revealing more about the effects and causes of alcoholism, a long tradition of animal research by psychologists, pharmacologists, neuroscientists, physiologists, and physicians continues to play an important role in establishing effective treatment programs for humans. Because animals have many of the same biological and behavioral reactions to alcohol as humans, animal research remains vital in leading us both to the treatment of alcoholism and its prevention.

MISMR members strongly support humane animal study in research. We hope that likeminded citizens will join us in working for rational public policy that assures the continued appropriate use of animals in the course of good science.