A Doctor Sees a Patient Who Is Asking for a Prescription

A doctor sees a patient who is asking for a prescription for pain killers. The patient explains that they used to cope with the pain by drinking three beers each evening but that they don't notice the same euphoric feeling anymore. The doctor can smell alcohol on the patient's breath and suspects that the patient often abuses alcohol. The doctor refuses to give the patient a prescription for pain killers. What can the doctor say to explain why the patient does not feel an effect after consuming 3 beers any longer. Is the doctor's decision to refuse pain killers correct? Explain why or why not. Include information on how alcohol is metabolized in your response.