Alcohol has very varied effects on neurotransmitters depending on the intake time and its drinking pattern. If alcohol consumption is short term, it will potentiate the inhibitory neurotransmitter action (inhibition of glutamatergic transmission, and activation of GABAergic neurons); On the other hand, long-term consumption produces tolerance, which tends to move these neurochemical alterations to normal values. On the other hand, if alcohol consumption is discontinuous or abruptly reduced, there is activation of glutamatergic neurotransmission and inhibition of GABAergic neurotransmission, among many other neurochemical alterations, which triggers withdrawal syndrome and consequent search behavior and unstoppable desire for to drink alcohol.
