The aim of this study is to compare the values of hematologic and hemorheo logic parameters in preclinic alcoholists, i.e. without or with limited liver da mage (moderate steatosis in 38% of the cases), in basal conditions and after alcohol withdrawal for 30 days. In 21 alcoholists whole blood viscosity (WBV), whole blood filtration total time (TT), hematologic and biochemi cal blood tests were studied. The results show in basal condition an increase in WBV, TT and mean cell volume (MCV). After the period of abstention from alcohol, WBV significantly decreased (P< 0.025), TT became shorter (P< 0.025), MCV significantly reduced (p< 0.025). The abnormalities ofhemorheologic parameters in these alcoholists may be attributable to the effect of alcohol itself, because in these subjects neither usual hemorheological risk factors nor chronic liver disease have been demonstrated and improvement of hemorheologic parameters appear after a period of alcohol abstention for 30 days without any medical treatment Copyright © 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd