Doubts raised about health benefits of moderate drinking Fifty-four studies were recently analyzed by an international team of researchers who concluded that the proposed cardiovascular health benefits of light to moderate drinking may be based on nothing but a common methodological error. University of California Mar 2006

The fact remains that increased consumption of alcohol brings other health dangers, such as alcoholism, high blood pressure, obesity, liver disease, stroke, cancer, suicide, etc. Given these and other risks, the American Heart Association cautions people against increasing their alcohol intake or starting to drink if they don't already do so. Consult your doctor for advice on consuming alcohol.

Young alcohol abusers show smaller brain areas
Duke researchers used magnetic resonance imaging to measure prefrontal cortex, thalamic, and cerebellar volumes in 14 young participants with alcohol-use disorders and in 28 matched controls. Young problem drinkers were found to have significantly smaller prefrontal cortexes, an area of the brain associated with complex thinking, planning, inhibition, and emotional regulation, than their healthy matched controls. The size of the prefrontal cortex strongly correlated with the average number of drinks an individual consumed per drinking episode. This study does not determine whether differing brain morphology is a consequence of, or may indicate a predisposition to, alcohol abuse. However, with nearly one in three high school seniors binge drinking at least once per month, it is a preliminary study that will help to understand precisely how drinking affects the brain of these young people. Dr. De Bellis et al, Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research, Sept 2005 Reported in MedPageToday, Sept 2005

• Alcohol Community Treatment Services, Inc. (727) 942-4181
  Long-term residential alcohol rehab program
• Alcoholics Anonymous Central Hotline (727)530-0415
  A fellowship of men and women who share their experiences, strengths and hopes with each other in order to solve their common problems and help each other to recover from alcoholism.
• BayCare Life Management--Clearwater (727) 461-8282
  Adult intensive outpatient chemical dependency services. A program for individuals who are experiencing difficulties with alcohol or drugs.
• Operation Par --Clearwater Call Center: (888) PAR NEXT
  Provides a central point of access for individuals seeking services or information about substance abuse and mental health services.
• Town & Country Detox (813) 884-1904
• Turning Point of Tampa 1-800-397-3006
• Turning Point Inebriate Intervention Center--St. Petersburg (727) 823-7811 (state funded)
  Facility for homeless indigents who are currently using drugs and/or alcohol. This is not a medical facility or homeless shelter.
• W.I.N. Team 1-888-834-2946

Alcohol, Potion or Poison? from Bay Area Medical Information (www.BAMI.us)
Alcoholism from the U.S. Nat'l Library of Medicine & Nat'l Institute of Health This site provides extensive information and links. Alcohol & Youth from the U.S. Nat'l Library of Medicine & Nat'l Institute of Health
Alcohol Consumption from the U.S. Nat'l Library of Medicine & Nat'l Institute of Health
A Quick Guide to Finding Effective Alcohol and Drug Addiction Treatment from the The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) provides a toll-free, 24-hour treatment referral service to help you locate treatment options near you. For a referral to a treatment center or support group in your area, call: 1-800-487-4889 (TDD) • 1-877-767-8432 (Spanish)