No, alcoholism cannot be cured at this time. Even if an alcoholic hasn't been drinking for a long time, he or she can still suffer a relapse. Not drinking is the safest course for most people with alcoholism.

Alcohol dependence (alcoholism) can be treated. Alcohol dependence treatment programs use both counseling and medications to help a person stop drinking. Treatment has helped many people stop drinking and rebuild their lives.1 Alcohol dependence treatment works for many people. But like other chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and asthma, there are varying levels of success when it comes to treatment. Some people stop drinking and remain abstinent.

Alcoholism, also known as alcohol dependence, is a disease that includes the following four symptoms: Physical dependence--Withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety after stopping drinking. For clinical and research purposes, formal diagnostic criteria for alcoholism also have been developed.

Alcoholism, also known as "alcohol dependence," is a condition that includes craving and continued alcohol abuse despite repeated drinking-related problems, such as losing a job or getting into trouble with the law. It includes four symptoms: Physical dependence: Withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety, when alcohol use is stopped after a period of heavy drinking.

There are many factors that can influence the development of alcoholism. Genetics is one of these, and it is true that alcoholism tends to run in families. Some of the other factors that can influence a person to abuse alcohol are: There are no "rules" when it comes to alcohol abuse. A person with absolutely no family history of alcoholism can still become alcohol dependent. Or a person who has a family where every family member drinks may never develop alcoholism.

This is a subject of hot debate among treatment professionals. While there is some evidence that alcoholism has a biochemical component, the most successful treatment philosophies treat alcoholism as a mental or spiritual problem. There is no pill or medication currently available that can remove the desire to drink.

Alcohol creates a physical dependence in the drinker, and withdrawal can be life-threatening. So when an alcoholic is being withdrawn from alcohol, medication may be necessary. In the long term, however, there is no medication that has been shown to be effective in "curing" alcoholism. This depends on the type of treatment. In general terms, the longer the treatment the better. Not all types of treatment are equally effective.

Yes, alcoholism can be treated. Alcoholism treatment programs use both counseling and medications to help a person stop drinking. Treatment has helped many people stop drinking and rebuild their lives. (See also "Publication," Alcohol Alert No. 49: New Advances in Alcoholism Treatment.)