Pharmacological treatment of alcoholism

This paper presents an overview on pharmacologic treatment of alcoholism. A wide range of drugs have been tested over the years, some showing a reduction of alcohol drinking in alcoholics. However, at present, there is little evidence that phnrmacotherapy is effective in the rehabilitation of alcoholics. Although research in this area still has several methodological problems and much needs to be done, a greater understanding of the neuropharmacoiogy and neurobiology of alcohol use and abuse will certainly open new avenues for investigation and drug development. Patient-treatment matching and the combination of two or more modalities of intervention may also help increase overall effectiveness of alcohol treatment. (Aust NZ J Med 1992; 22: 220–223.)