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Raise a toast to drugs that could replace alcohol - health - 31 December 2014 - New Scientist@import "/css/gridmain.css"; @import "/css/article.css";@import "/css/comlist.css";@import "/data/images/ns/haas/haas.css";/* specific to this article view */#maincol {border-top:solid #A7A7A7 1px; padding-top:15px;}/* Basic commenting CSS*/.combx {margin:10px 0 0 0;padding:10px 20px 10px 10px;}#compnl {border-top:solid #A7A7A7 1px;}/* comment styles for article page only *//* form styles */#comform {margin:20px 50px 20px 10px;}#comform label{width: 90px;text-align: right;}#comform div.userhelp {margin:0 0 2px 115px;}#comform input.textinput, #comform textarea {width:300px;}#comform div.floatclear, #comformlogin div.floatclear {margin-bottom:10px;}#comform input#comcancel{margin:0 10px 0 0;}#comform input#compreview{margin:0 10px 0 0;}#comform textarea {height:95px;}#comformlogin {margin:20px 100px 20px 100px;}#comformlogin label{width: 120px;}#comformlogin input.textinput {width:150px;}#snv_health a {background: url('/img/bg/snv_health.jpg') no-repeat; color:#fff;}/* article social media */#sharebtns {width:440px; margin-left:10px; margin-bottom:20px; padding:15px 10px 15px 10px; background:#F2F2F2;}#sharebtns div.floatleft {margin-right:10px;}#sharebtns .stumble {margin-top:1px;}.grpTools img {margin-right:8px; margin-top:9px;}#fblike {margin-top:41px;}
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Raise a toast to drugs that could replace alcohol31 December 2014Magazine issue 3002. Subscribe and saveFor similar stories, visit theLeaders, Mental Healthand Drugs and AlcoholTopic GuidesDrugs that are taken instead of alcohol, or which reduce the urge to consume it, should be treated carefully, but if they reduce harm, they must be allowed
(Image: Gordon Munro/PYMCA) 'TIS the season to be sober. At this time of year, many people decide to stop drinking alcohol for a while, often to atone for an overindulgent festive season. As we reported this time last year, a dry January seems to pay dividends for both physical and mental health (New Scientist, 4 January 2014, p 6). But perhaps in new years to come there will be another option for the penitent overindulger: drugs that are taken as a substitute for alcohol, or which reduce the urge to drink it. The prospect of such drugs has long been discussed (New Scientist, 15 July 2006, p 30). Now they are becoming a reality (see "High and dry? Party drug could target excess drinking"). Not coincidentally, January is also traditionally the time of year that smokers try to quit. Doubtless many are relying on a safer substitute either as a crutch or a permanent replacement – e-cigarettes. The parallels between the two products are not entirely coincidental: the success of e-cigarettes as a smoking substitute has shown advocates of alcohol replacements that even the most deeply ingrained habits can be altered. But there are some big differences. Vaping delivers nicotine – the largely harmless drug that people crave – while eliminating most of the dangerous chemicals that arise as a by-product of burning tobacco. The act of vaping also closely mimics smoking and allows nicotine addicts to puff away, circumventing indoor bans and other restrictions on their habit. When it comes to alcohol, the drug itself is the hazard. And popping a pill is no substitute for the social ritual of drinking or the pleasurable taste of a fine wine or cold beer. So to emulate the success of e-cigarettes, alcohol substitutes will probably have to mimic booze and boozing as closely as vaping mimics smoking. There is another important parallel: just like e-cigarettes, alcohol mimics will raise moral hackles. To this there is a very straightforward response. If they reduce harm, they must be allowed. To your good health. This article appeared in print under the headline "A twist on dry January" 
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