Alcohol Dependence

Alcohol dependence (alcoholism) is a physical or mental dependence on alcohol. Alcohol dependence can lead to health and social problems, and difficulty maintaining responsibilities. Symptoms of alcohol dependence include drinking alone, becoming violent when drinking, missing work or school, hiding alcohol use, and shaking after periods of not drinking.

A common treatment for alcohol addiction is abstinence. There are support programs available for long-term treatment. Medications can also be used to maintain abstinence or ease withdrawal symptoms. Common drug treatments include alcohol antagonists (Antabuse), central alpha agonists (clonidine), benzodiazepines, and GABA analogues (Campral).