Alcohol abuse and alcoholism are significant global public health problems. In the USA, alcoholism affects approximately 14 million people at a healthcare cost of $184 billion per year. Excessive alcohol consumption is associated with violent crime, aggression and increased risk of accidents, injury and death. The term 'alcoholism' was first coined by Magnus Huss to describe the persistence of drinking despite adverse health effects. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders classifies alcoholism as an addictive disorder [1]. It is a complex disorder affected by genetic, epigenetic and environmental etiologic factors.
