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Cross-tolerance is a phenomenon that occurs when tolerance to the effects of a certain drug produces tolerance to another drug. It often happens between two drugs with similar functions or effects—for example, acting on the same cell receptor or affecting the transmission of certain neurotransmitters .
Alcohol tolerance is increased by regular drinking. [1] This reduced sensitivity to the physical effects of alcohol consumption requires that higher quantities of alcohol be consumed in order to achieve the same effects as before tolerance was established. Alcohol tolerance may lead to (or be a sign of) alcohol dependence. [1]
With abstinence from alcohol and cross-tolerant drugs these changes in neurochemistry may gradually return towards normal. [ 22 ] [ 23 ] Adaptations to the NMDA system also occur as a result of repeated alcohol intoxication and are involved in the hyper-excitability of the central nervous system during the alcohol withdrawal syndrome.
Alcohol dependence refers to an entity in which only alcohol is the involved addictive agent. Alcoholism refers to an entity in which alcohol or any cross-tolerant addictive agent is involved. In alcohol dependence, reduction of alcohol, as defined within DSM-IV, can be attained by learning to control the use of alcohol.
There are a number of things that begin to change between our bodies and the effects of alcohol starting around age 50.
Remarkably, inhaled isopropyl alcohol can be used to provide nausea and vomiting relief. [39] [40] Alcohol intolerance and alcohol allergy, while often confused due to their overlapping symptoms, have distinct biological mechanisms. Alcohol intolerance is mainly due to genetic variations that affect the enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2). [24]
There is cross tolerance between alcohol, the benzodiazepines, the barbiturates, the nonbenzodiazepine drugs, and corticosteroids, which all act by enhancing the GABA A receptor's function via modulating the chloride ion channel function of the GABA A receptor.
One may also develop drug tolerance to side effects, [7] in which case tolerance is a desirable characteristic. A medical intervention that has an objective to increase tolerance (e.g., allergen immunotherapy, in which one is exposed to larger and larger amounts of allergen to decrease one's allergic reactions) is called drug desensitization. [8]