at some point do alcoholics start to get drunk with less liquor than
normal? or do they continue to build higher and higher tolerances?
which way does this work?

Hello Jyyou,

According to an article at the University of Michigan Health System
Website an alcoholic has a higher tolerance to alcohol so he needs to
drink more to achieve the same effects.

“The alcoholic has developed a physical and psychological dependence
on the drug alcohol, lacks control over how much and what happens when
he drinks, and has a higher tolerance so he needs more to drink to
achieve the same effects. Furthermore, the alcoholic or severely
dependent person often drinks excessively, is preoccupied with finding
drinking opportunities, experiences many social problems as a result
of their drinking, and may experience alcohol withdrawal symptoms when
they stop drinking.”

University of Michigan Health System
http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/subabuse/alcohl11.htm

 “They have developed a tolerance for alcohol and have to drink more
to get the same effects that they used to get.”
http://www.continuingeducation.com/nursing/alcohol/description.html

“Tolerance levels change as a person drink more or less. Research
shows that every time a person gets drunk his or her tolerance level
for alcohol increases.”
http://wso.williams.edu:8000/orgs/peerh/drugs/alcohol/alcoism.html


In the article “Biological Impacts Of Alcohol Use: An Overview” by: 
Michaele P. Dunlap, Clinical Psychologist:

Although tolerance for alcohol does increase over time in order to
achieve the same effect, there is a reverse-tolerance of the liver.

“As people drink, their tolerance for alcohol may increase. They might
seem to be able to "handle" alcohol better and need more to achieve
the same effect as before. The liver does not become more tolerant,
and is damaged over the course of time, leading to poor liver function
and a noticeable decrease in tolerance, or "reverse-tolerance". A
heavy drinker's reverse-tolerance is a sign of late-stage alcoholism.”
http://www.oregoncounseling.org/ArticlesPapers/Documents/ETOHBIOFx.htm

Glossary

Alcohol tolerance (metabolic tolerance) - need to consume large
amounts in order to feel effects, which causes the liver to become
less efficient.

Reverse tolerance - one who needs less of the substance to feel the
effects.
http://www.hsc.wvu.edu/som/cmed/alcohol/glossary.htm


Search Criteria:
Alcohol tolerance level

I hope you find this helpful.

Best Regards,
Bobbie7-ga