[Current aspects of pharmacotherapy of alcoholism]

There is increasing evidence that "anticraving" drugs are promising agents in the treatment of alcoholics. Clinical studies indicate favorable effects of drugs with different pharmacological profiles (e.g., dopaminergic, serotonergic, anti-opioidergic, antiglutamatergic) on abnormal drinking behavior and relapse tendencies. Interactions with the limbic reward system seem to be involved. As several drugs will probably be registered in Germany, the need for integrating these drugs in a complex rehabilitation program is emphasized. Many clinical issues regarding the practical use of these drugs await further clarification.