Advances in Alcoholism Treatment

Researchers are working on numerous and varied approaches to improving the accessibility, quality, effectiveness, and costeffectiveness of treatment for alcohol use disorders (AUDs). This overview article summarizes the approaches reviewed in this issue, including potential future developments for alcoholism treatment, such as medications development, behavioral therapy, advances in technology that are being used to improve treatment, integrated care of patients with AUDs and cooccurring disorders, the role of 12step programs in the broader realm of treatment, treating patients with recurring and chronic alcohol dependence, strategies to close the gap between treatment need and treatment utilization, and how changes in the health care system may affect the delivery of treatment. This research will not only reveal new medications and behavioral therapies but also will contribute to new ways of approaching current treatment problems. KEY WORDS: Alcohol use disorders; alcohol dependence; alcoholism; treatment; treatment models; treatment research; treatment issues; costeffectiveness; pharmacotherapy; medication therapy; behavior therapy; emerging technologies; cotreatment; 12stepmodel; continuing care; health care delivery Alcoholism treatment, as it exists today, rests on decades of research exploring the most effective ways to help people reduce their alcohol us