Habituation Psychological, in contrast to physiological, dependence. Characterised by a desire rather than a craving for drug use based on a feeling of well-being associated with such use. Does not involve tolerance or serious medical complications upon withdrawal. Deleterious effects mainly involve the individual rather than society. The term is now rarely used because of the difficulty in distinguishing it from dependence.

Hair of the Dog that Bit You Slang term for alcohol taken as a remedy for a hangover the morning after a drinking spree.

Halfway House Care facility for homeless alcoholics serving as interim home between detoxification and independence.

Hangover Distress experienced after drinking alcohol the day before. Usually consists of splitting headache made worse by loud noises and bright light, dizziness, malaise, heartburn, loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting.

Happy Hour Unspecified time after work when drinks are served at a reduced price. Hard drinker One who drinks a lot.

Head Frothy, foamy top to a glass of beer.

Heather, Nick Co- Author of the book "Problem Drinking"

Heavy drinking 1. Drinking more than some social norm. 2. Consumption of some specific amount as designated by some arbitrary criterion, e.g., two or more drinks a day.

Heeby Jeebies Slang term for delirium tremens.

Hepatitis Liver disease - in some cases related to heavy alcohol use. Other causes include viral infection..

High Wines Purer alcoholic distillation resulting from distilling whiskey twice. Usually containing about 70 to 80 percent pure alcohol.

Highball Mixed drink served in a tall glass.

Higher Alcohols Relatively toxic types of alcohol (inc. amyl, isobutyl and propyl) also known as fusel oils.

Hip Flask Small flask of liquor that fits into a hip pocket.

Hippocras Mixture of wine and honey, popular in England during 1500s-1600s.

Hit the Bottle Drinking heavily on a regular basis to the point of intoxication.

Hit the Hooch Same as Hit the Bottle.

Hogshead Barrel for storing wine or beer.

Homebrew Alcoholic beverage made in the home.

Homer Hebrew term for young unmixed wine.

Honky-tonk Saloon with a low class clientele.

Hootch 1. Slang term for alcohol. 2. Bootleg whiskey.

Hops Dried flowers of the hops plant which are added to beer to give it a characteristic bitter taste.

Horrors Slang term for delirium tremens.

Hotel Licensed or unlicensed premises offering food and accommodation.

Hot Toddy Cocktail made from spirits, sugar, lemon and boiling water.

Hour of the Wolf Russian slang term for opening time.

Hydrometer Instrument for measuring the density of alcohol or amount of sugar in wine, beer, spirits or must.

Hypertension Raised blood pressure - often related to heavy drinking.

Hypoglycaemia Low blood sugar - sometimes due to excessive alcohol consumption.