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Previous Volume 340:1482-1490 May 13, 1999 Number 19 Next

	Since this article has no abstract, we have provided an extract of the first 100 words of the full text and any section headings.

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Alcohol dependence is a chronic disorder that results from a variety of genetic, psychosocial, and environmental factors.¹ As defined by the American Psychiatric Association in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, it is characterized by increased tolerance of the effects of alcohol, impaired control over drinking, and continued drinking despite adverse consequences (Table 1).² Alcohol dependence affects nearly 10 percent of the population and results in social problems, considerable morbidity and mortality, and high health care costs.^3,4

View this table: [in this window] [in a new window]   Table 1. Criteria for Alcohol Dependence.

 
Alcohol dependence is treated by medical, psychological, and social interventions that reduce or eliminate the . . . [Full Text of this Article]

The Neurobehavioral Aspects of Alcohol Dependence

Drug Treatment for Alcohol Dependence

Aversive Drugs

Opioid Antagonists

Acamprosate

Dopaminergic Drugs

Other Drugs

            Mood Stabilizers

            Sedative Drugs

            Serotonergic Drugs

Patients with Psychiatric Disorders

Recommendations

Conclusions

Source Information

From the Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies and the Department of Psychiatry, Brown University Medical School and the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Providence, R.I.

Address reprint requests to Dr. Swift at ACOS for Research and Education, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 830 Chalkstone Ave., Providence, RI 02908, or at robert_swift@brown.edu.

References

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