Uncovering the Link Between Alcohol and Health: A Comprehensive Guide to Drinking Responsibly

Basil Rathbone: Good

United Kingdom on Oct 08, 2023

Richardiifan: Mailer the book is great for information about the dangers of alcohol, I find it slightly odd that he owns a wine bar. He also doesn't mention the failure that was prohibition in America. All in all however it was a good informative read.

United Kingdom on Aug 15, 2023

J: Great

United Kingdom on Jul 28, 2023

Linda M Gladnick: Well written and to the point. Author doesn't guilt trip, moralize, or lecture. He presents the science behind alcohol consumption. My only warning is that after reading the book you may never want to drink again, or, if you do, you'll feel really bad about yourself afterwards.

United States on Jun 16, 2023

REBECCA cooper: The author outlines exactly how alcohol affects our health. Additionally, he offers sensible guidelines on how to reduce alcohol intake.

United States on Feb 03, 2023

linda jinkens: This is a 5-star book, easily. And I'm a teetotaler.
I was curious as to what David Nutt had to say, as I had heard of him causing controversy by advocating for other drugs, but not alcohol.
I think it's important for people to know the facts if they are going to drink. But I see by looking at the reviews on this book that even a scary, fact-filled book like this will not change fervent drinkers' minds.
And it is a very scary book. I thought I knew most facts about the dangers, but Nutt goes into great detail about how alcohol affects every part of the body, what's involved in hangovers, fetal alcohol syndrome, and the types of cancers related to its use. He explains the drugs used for treatment of alcoholics.
I am tired of people telling me a little red wine is good for the heart. Nutt makes sense in saying not enough study has been done on that (it may be lifestyle, instead) and if alcohol hurts all other organs, what good is it if it helps the heart? That made total sense.
He has plenty of insightful examples, which makes the book a fast and interesting read. It's not dry and dull. His expertise is obvious. His credentials are impressive.
I do take issue with...

United States on May 08, 2022

Paul Froehlich: We have a huge blind spot for the steep social costs of our most harmful drug. It's not just alcoholics whose health is at risk. Moderate drinking also entails risks of cancer, high blood pressure and strokes. Intoxication also harms others. Domestic violence and date rape are just two of the violent crimes that are typically alcohol- related. Drinking and driving accounts for about one in three traffic fatalities.

The reason we tolerate the harm is because alcohol use also has benefits. Professor David Nutt is a leading global authority on alcohol abuse. No prohibitionist, Nutt writes that alcohol is a social drug for a social animal; it "lubricates our interactions with others... is a major part of how we bond...our celebration rituals revolve around alcohol." There is some evidence that drinking can enhance creativity.
That's why he concludes that alcohol is both the drug with the most benefits and
the most harmful addictive substance to society.

The main reason alcohol is the most harmful drug is that so many people use it: about four out of five in western countries. Between one to two in 10 are problem drinkers. The top 10 percent of American drinkers...

United States on Jan 07, 2022

Ed: Dr Nutt is a true gem, and I wanted to read this book more for him than the content. The science of alcohol was interesting, I found some of it to be common sense, but other parts were elucidating. He takes a balanced approach, and it realistic - he himself drinks. Towards the end it got a bit repetitive for me, as he lists many suggestions for different types of people. I suppose, this is helpful and maybe I didn't need to read that part!

United Kingdom on Aug 18, 2021

Ken Kardash: I wish I could have read this before taking my first drink. If everyone did, it could spare incalculable suffering. The author, who both owns a wine bar and is a physician who studies the effects of alcohol, is perfectly qualified to provide an objective appraisal of this ubiquitous drug. As he makes very clear, it is indeed a drug, and should be used with appropriate caution. In his efforts to avoid sounding too preachy, he even includes a chapter on its social benefits. But this is positioned near the end. That and the implied question of why a drug is necessary for socializing in the first place square with his unmistakeable, two-fisted message: we are conditioned to enjoy alcohol by tradition and setting, but must learn to respect it. The explanation of the clinical effects of increasing blood levels is central and sufficient to justify reading this. I finally have an explanation for those flashes of light while trying to sleep after one too many drinks! If you care about your body and especially if you have children to raise, get this clear-headed book about how drinking really affects you.

United States on Apr 08, 2021

Hillsie: I worried this book would read like a medical text book or lecture on the evils of drink. Its does neither. You'll understand how your body & brain reacts to alcohol scientifically, & knowing that enables you to understand your subconscious behaviours & take control.

The key insight for me is how dopamine creates a 'pleasure track' in your brain. Knowing this, means I can break the bad habits, drink less, lose weight and be healthier.

If you are drinking less than 14 units (ale is about 2.6 units per pint btw) per week spread out and taking two consecutive days off a week you may be ok, if you are not (which seems to be an awful lot of us) then I recommend reading this if only to be aware of the risks you are taking and make a call. I always do a month off the booze every six months to press the reset button, but in between times I struggle to not nip down the pub for a quick pint a bit too often, this book helped me understand why (dopamine & my social life revolving around the pub) and highlight the risks as well as why sometimes I wonder why I go down on a Monday night when I already knew it would be dead!

This book also has useful insight...

United Kingdom on Sep 06, 2020