A comment on critical flicker fusion as an objective measure of alcohol tolerance by alcoholics.

A previous paper reported that for alcoholics the threshold for critical flicker fusion is relatively unchanged by the ingestion of alcohol and concluded therefore that the technique could be used to indicate tolerance to alcohol. The present paper urges caution in this respect owing to the evidence that clinical subjects frequently adopt more cautious response strategies than normals with psychophysical procedures. Reports are also reviewed which indicate that alcoholics consume more tobacco than normals and that the stimulant effect of nicotine could antagonize the depressant effect of alcohol on CFF.