Dear Dr. Levy: Have the rates of alcohol problems been increasing? With all the stress in the world, I would think alcohol problems are probably getting bigger and bigger.

A: You ask an interesting question. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, the organization in our country that researches alcohol problems, conducted a survey of alcohol problems in 1991-1992 and then again in 2001-2002. The researchers looked at alcohol abuse and dependence problems in our society among people 18 and older. Alcohol abuse is when the use of alcohol is interfering in a person's life and causing problems. Alcohol dependence is a more severe form of this problem, with the consumption of alcohol a central preoccupation in the afflicted person's life.

What the researchers found is that while alcohol dependence decreased slightly, from 4.4 percent to 3.8 percent of the population, alcohol abuse increased from about 3 percent to 4.65 percent of the population..They also found that rates of alcohol problems were greater among males as well as younger individuals..Overall, the number of people suffering from either alcohol abuse or dependence was recorded at 13.8 million in the 1991-92 survey, and 17.6 million in the 2001-2002 survey.

The researchers were not sure why rates of alcohol dependence had dropped, while rates of alcohol abuse had increased..However, they speculated it is possible that as social attitudes may have become more negative concerning very heavy drinking, this could also have led to increased interpersonal conflict about drinking. This could have played a role in the increased rates of alcohol abuse, as a cardinal feature of alcohol abuse problems is social or interpersonal problems caused by drinking.

Whatever is responsible, taking into account both alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence, rates of drinking problems have increased from about 7.4 percent to 8.45 percent..Obviously, problems related to the use of alcohol are a major public health issue.

Dear Dr. Levy: I have heard that the new drug Chantix that helps people quit smoking may cause suicidal thoughts..Is that true?

A: The Food and Drug Administration recently stated that it is "increasingly likely" that the drug Chantix, which is used to help people quit smoking, can cause depression, suicidal thoughts and other psychiatric problems..The FDA further stated that Chantix may cause a worsening of current psychiatric symptoms, even if they are currently under control. In addition, it may cause an old psychiatric illness to reoccur.

Anyone who is considering using this medication to stop smoking should speak with a physician about any current or past psychiatric problems.

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Send questions about addictions or related problems to: Take The First Step, c/o The Eagle-Tribune, 100 Turnpike St., North Andover, MA 01845; or send an e-mail to michael_levy@cabhealth.org. Questions will be answered in confidence by a clinical team led by Dr. Michael Levy, director of clinical treatment services at CAB Health & Recovery Services in Peabody and author of "Take Control of Your Drinking ... and You May Not Need to Quit."