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Over the years, the rate of increase in alcohol problems has been basically subject to the dose dependent effect. Current epidemiological data including a recent study by Welcome and colleagues (Pîrt Harcourt Med J 2008; 3: 120-129) showed that for approximately the same per session dose of alcohol used, the effect was greater for the problem drinkers, compared to the moderate drinkers as a result of the 1.8 times difference in frequency (p< 0.001). The results of our 4 year survey involving over 2000 participants confirmed that for almost the same per session dose of alcoholic beverages, the effects were significantly greater for the problem drinkers by 2.4-45 times. The frequency was higher for the problem drinkers by 3.2 times (p< 0.0001). This phenomenon of increase alcohol effects even for an equal per session dose, but different frequency of its use could be referred to as the “frequency response effect”. Our analysis of epidemiological and clinical data for the last six decades revealed that even for a little increase in frequency of alcohol use (even for almost the same per session dose) the resultant effect was enormously huge. The frequency response effect of alcohol use should therefore be greatly considered in any case of alcohol involvements. Finally, it is however pertinent to note that while most acute cases of alcohol involvements are caused by binging, the frequency response effect might only be blamed, in most cases, for chronic alcohol problems.

To date, a safe dose of alcohol still remains a matter of discussion in the scientific community. Although 1-2 standard drinks per day (with 1-2 free alcohol days) have been recommended (especially for adults as a prophylactic measure for ischemic heart diseases), there is a dearth of data concerning the dose time-response effect of alcohol on psycho-physiological functions. The early effects of alcohol use are usually exerted on the nervous system. The IRISA syndrome of alcohol is one of the early effects of alcohol use caused by dysfunctions of the nervous system. Considering the benefits of alcohol use to the heart and circulatory system, and since, in most cases, the effects of alcohol use are rather than harmful, there is necessity to determining a safe dose of alcoholic beverages. On the basis of latest epidemiological data for the last decades, there is necessity of normalizing, not only the daily intake of alcoholic beverages, but also the monthly total dose. We therefore, formulate the concept of relatively safe per session and monthly dose of alcoholic beverages (especially for young adults), which must not exceed 27ml and 40 ml for males respectively and not more than 24 ml and 31 ml respectively for females (all doses are in values of pure ethanol). This recommendation was based on recent epidemiological data on the psycho-physiological functions of undergraduates over a three year period of study.

ObjectivesAlcohol use by students is a major public health problem, leading to the Secondhand Effects - decrease in academic performance, injuries, blackouts etc.AimTo determine the extent of alcohol use on academic performance of university students.MethodsParticipants (n=46, mean age - 21 yrs) received the AUDIT questionnaire and other alcohol related questions. Grade Point Average and the effectiveness to sit for examinations of all participants from the 1st to 6th semesters of university education were used as objective criteria for problems related with alcohol use. The Pearson χ2 and Student's t-tests were employed for analysis of results. The probability value for significance was set at p< 0.05.ResultsAlcohol and non-alcohol users were 41.3% and 58.7% respectively. Among alcohol users, the average quantity of alcohol used by one person per month was 37ml of absolute ethanol. A 10.9 - 11.4% higher rate of academic performance was noted among the non-alcohol users only in the 3rd, 4th and 5th, 6th semesters. The cases of injuries and blackouts were higher among the alcohol users by approximately 35 times. About 75% of all drinkers reported alcohol use only during their university education. The dose-time response effect of alcohol use on cademic performance was also proven.