Abstract
Alcohol dependence is a chronic relapsing disease with high prevalence rates. At its inception, involve a number of factors (genetic , environmental) , and in particular hazardous drinking - consumption of high doses of alcohol.
In the treatment of alcohol dependence are applied mainly various forms of psychotherapy , pharmacological treatment is limited to only a limited number of suitable drugs. Most of these drugs are used only to support complete abstinence.
A different method of treatment that seeks to reduce the dose of alcohol was not used rarely as missing pharmacological support. Nalmefene is a modulator of opioid receptors , which can be used in a new treatment strategies aimed at reducing harmful drinking and use as needed ( " as needed" ).
Nalmefene shown to reduce overall consumption and risky forms of alcohol (a single drink large doses). His use is especially important for people with alcohol dependence who are aware of their harmfulness of drinking and the problems that it brings , would like to change their situation , but still have not decided to abstain.