The contributions to this volume clearly indicate the momentum, quality, liveliness and diversity of the research effort being di rected toward deepening our understanding of tqe alcohol withdrawal syndrome. This area of study has gained increasing interest and attention to the point where it seemed reasonable to devote a spe cial section to it at the 30th International Congress for Alcoholism and Drug Dependence in Amsterdam in September, 1972. Our goal was to share our most recent findings and stimulate others to join in the effort. With few exceptions, the papers in this publication present new data. It had been hoped that the volume would appear by the end of 1972. However, the eagerness of many of the contributors to extend their investigations made this target date impossible. Several of the papers were not presented in the section but were presented elsewhere in the Congress. However, because of their particular relevance to the topic they have been included with the generous consent of the authors.

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Section I. Basic Mechanisms of Tolerance and Physical Dependence.- 1. Biological Models of Alcohol Tolerance and Physical Dependence.- 2. Neurochemical Aspects of Tolerance to and Dependence on Ethanol.- 3. A Role for Tetrahydroisoquinoline Alkaloids as False Adrenergic Neurotransmitters in Alcoholism.- 4. Addiction to Barbiturates and Ethanol: Possible Biochemical Mechanisms.- Section II. Biochemical Aspects.- 1. Possible Role of Microsomal Changes Induced by Ethanol Intake in the Development of Tolerance and Dependence.- 2. Effects of Ethanol on Liver Metabolism.- 3. Tryptophan Pyrrolase in Ethanol Administration and Withdrawal.- 4. The Metabolic Basis of Ethanol Toxicity.- 5. Biochemical Changes in Mitochondria as a Mechanism in Metabolic Tolerance to Ethanol.- 6. Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Function in Chronic Alcoholics.- 7. Influence of Two Tetrahydrocannabinols (THC's) on the Activity of Biotransformation Enzymes.- Section III. Experimental Studies in Animals.- 1. Chronic Ingestion Techniques for the Production of Physical Dependence of Ethanol.- 2. Alcohol Oral Self-Administration in Rats: Attempts to Elicit Excessive Intake and Dependence.- 3. Evaluation of a Polydipsia Technique to Induce Alcohol Consumption in Monkeys.- 4. Effects of Electrical Stimulation of the Lateral Hypothalamus on Ethanol Consumption.- Section IV. Experimental Studies of Sleep.- 1. Chronic Alcoholism, Alcohol and Sleep.- 2. Correlation of Urinary Biogenic Amines with Sleep Stages in Chronic Alcoholization and Withdrawal.- 3. Sleep Changes Induced by 4 and 6 Days of Experimental Alcoholization and Withdrawal in Humans.- 4. Hallucinations During Experimental Intoxication.- 5. Sensory Superactivity, A Preliminary Report on an Hypothetical Model for an Hallucinogenic Mechanism inAlcohol Withdrawal.- Section V. Human Experimental Studies (Excluding Sleep).- 1. Short-Term Memory Function in Alcohol Addicts During Intoxication.- 2. The Effects of Alcohol on the Somatosensory Evoked Potentials in Man.- 3. Affective Changes During 6 Days of Experimental Alcoholism and Subsequent Withdrawal.- 4. An Improved Quantitative System for Assessing the Acute Alcoholic Psychoses and Related States (TSA and SSA).- 5. Observations on the Prevalence of the Signs and Symptoms Associated with Withdrawal During Continuous Observation of Experimental Intoxication and Withdrawal in Humans.- 6. Recovery Function and Clinical Symptomatology in Acute Alcoholization and Withdrawal.