It's not a question of whether only drinkers get Dups. We know nondrinkers do as well. The question is how much worse is any individuals' disease likely to become given a certain level of alcohol consumption. All we have now is a generalized correlation between heavy drinking and Dups. What about moderate drinking?

The AMA is now recommending up to two drinks per night (and red wine being the best choice) for men and one drink for women as a preventative for cardio vascular disease. This is *every* night. They really didn't want to be in a positing to recommend drinking so they say if you don't drink, don't start. However, the evidence of the benefits of moderate drinking is now so clear, they really had no choice. It is stressed that the benefits start to decline with more than 2 drinks.

On the other hand, the evidence of the danger of moderate drinking and Dups is sketchy at best. That being the case, I have decided to continue a practice of moderate wine consumption. Not a single CHS I have talked to disagrees with this decisions.

Cheers.

I continue to be a heavy drinker. I drink a quart of whiskey every other day. I am soon to celibrate my third year of a fine, straight pinky after NA. No bending at all so far.

To be quite honest, when I first began my home exercises I noticed that a glass or two of wine helped both with the pain and with the flexibility. Also, warm water for a few minutes before beginning. Actually you *want* a little swelling to help in the joint movement. That's why the PT will warm your hand before the torture begins :-)

I did not drink other than at night for the evening exercise. But that is when I *really* pushed myself.