The CArdiovasCulAr Diabetes & Ethanol (CASCADE) Trial

Inclusion Criteria: * Established diagnosis of type 2 diabetes * Male or female alcohol abstainers (not more than 1 drink/week) * Age between 40-75 yrs * Clinically stable, with no history of stroke or myocardial infarction or major surgery within the previous 3 months Exclusion Criteria: * The use of RI or short-acting analog insulin/ pump therapy. Patients on 1-2 injections per day of NPH or long-acting analogs will be eligible for inclusion * Triglycerides \> 500 mg/dL * HbA1c\<7 or \> 10% * Serum creatinine \> 2 mg/dl * Liver dysfunction (greater than 2-fold elevation of ALT or and 3-fold elevation of AST) * Evidence of severe diabetes complications (such as proliferative retinopathy or overt nephropathy) * Autonomic neuropathy manifested as postural hypotension or hypoglycemia unawareness * Patients with chronic hepatitis (C,B) * Use of drugs that might significantly interact with alcohol such as sedatives, antihistamines, and anti-coagulants * Presence of active cancer, or chemotherapy within the past 3 years * Major illness that may require hospitalization * A high potential of addictive behavior based on physician's assessment or personal or family history of addiction, alcoholism, or alcohol abuse * Pregnant or lactating woman * Participation in another trial with active intervention