[Pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic parameters of the effect of the effect of ethyl alcohol at different stages of alcohol dependence].

The pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic parameters of the effect of ethyl alcohol were studied and compared in groups of chronic alcoholics (n-44), persons with everyday hard drinking (n-19) and healthy persons (n-15). In order to evaluate objectively the psychotropic effects of alcohol, use was made of the data obtained on computerized analysis of the EEG dynamics. The studies were performed after the administration of placebo and 0.5 g/kg of ethyl alcohol during 6 hours. The data obtained point to a decrease of alcohol bioavailability as chronic alcoholism progresses, which leads to a reduction of the power of the pharmacodynamic effect of ethyl alcohol. At the same time the psychotropic effect of ethanol was found to be different in the test subjects, which may be accounted for by the nonidentity of the appropriate physiological mechanism mediating the action of alcohol, Particularly, the action of alcohol on the healthy test subjects manifests itself by the encephalographic correlates of the sedative effect. The changes in the EEG seen at the initial stages of alcoholism can be regarded as an equivalent of the stimulating effect, whereas in stage II disease as that of the anxogenous and psychotomimetic effect.