What are the possible mechanisms involved in the occurrence of tolerance to chronic alcohol intake?

- The more you drink alcohol the more MEOS activity increases. You gain a tolerance since there is more metabolism of alcohol and you need to drink more to gain an CNS effect. Another way how tolerance is achieved is by receptor subsensitivity, which causes the receptors to be less sensitive for alcohol molecules.

What are the toxic effects of chronic alcohol consumption on the liver and hepatic metabolism?

Chronic alcohol consumption lowers the liver function and can cause: hepatitis and liver cirrhosis. Alcohol consumption can also cause the liver to be unable to perform its many important functions as effectively.  Gluconeogenesis processes are being delayed and leads to hypoglycaemia (<3.9 mmol/L).

What is Wernicke-Korsakoff-syndrome and how is it treated?

Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is a type of brain disorder caused by lack of Vit-B or Thiamine. This is due to alcohol misuse. It is commonly treated by giving a patient oral thiamine or vitamin B.

Fully explain the foetal alcohol syndrome.

Foetal alcohol syndrome is when a pregnant mother misuse alcohol. Alcohol has a teratogenic affect. It causes mental retardation where the brain does not grow as it should There is a growth deficiency and causes atrophy.

How do the pharmacokinetic interactions of acute alcohol consumption differ from that of chronic alcohol consumption?

Chronic alcohol consumption increases metabolic transformation of other drugs.  Where acute alcohol consumption lowers metabolism of drugs.

Name 4 drug interactions with alcohol where the pharmacological effects of the other drugs are potentiated by alcohol.

Phenothiazines, Anti-Depressent drugs, sedative hypnotic drugs and aspirin. It also can have an effect on paracetamol where more NAPQI is being produced that could cause liver toxicity.