What does increased tolerance to alcohol mean?

Increased tolerance to alcohol means that an individual requires more alcohol to achieve the same effects that they previously experienced with a smaller amount. This phenomenon occurs because the body becomes accustomed to the presence of alcohol, leading to physiological adaptations that diminish its effects over time. As a person continues to drink, their brain and body adjust to metabolizing the alcohol more efficiently, which results in them needing to consume higher quantities to feel intoxicated or experience the same level of impairment.

This process can be dangerous, as it may lead individuals to consume excessive amounts of alcohol, increasing the risk of physical health problems, addiction, and alcohol-related accidents. Increased tolerance is a significant factor in understanding substance use disorders, as it often indicates a developing dependence on the substance.

The other options present various misunderstandings about tolerance: needing less alcohol to feel effects suggests decreased tolerance, the notion that alcohol has no effect overlooks the reality of consumption, and going into shock implies an acute and severe reaction to alcohol rather than the gradual changes associated with tolerance.