In recent years, several approaches have been investigated to help alcoholic patients to control not only alcohol drinking but also alcohol craving and relapse (Monti et al., 1993; O’Brien, 1997; Volpicelli et al., 1992). Medications tested for their potential therapeutic effect on alcohol abuse (i.e., naltrexone, acamprosate, ondansetron, disulfiram, gamma-hydroxybutyrate, topiramate) belong to several classes (Monti et al., 1993; O’Brien, 1997; Volpicelli et al., 1992). Despite some promising results, though, none of these medications is sufficiently effective in alcoholism and prognosis remains poor. Understanding the neurobiology of alcoholism will strongly contribute to the development of effective new pharmacotherapies for alcoholism.
