The use of alcohol (ethanol) is age-old and the many pharmacological and pathological effects of this substance in animals and humans are well known and documented. Numerous studies have tried to elucidate the mode of action by which these effects are produced. Although still somewhat speculative, alcohol and its major metabolite acetaldehyde have been found to affect cellular membrane fluidity, several neurotransmitter systems in the brain, certain cellular processes in specific organ systems, and a wide variety of hormones and biochemicals.1-4