This review categorizes five main uses of pharmacologic agents in the treatment of alcoholism: reversing the active pharmacologic effects of alcohol; controlling withdrawal symptoms; blocking the desire for alcohol use; treating psychiatric symptoms induced by alcohol and other drugs; and treating independent, but concurrent, psychopathologic conditions. No medication, including stimulants such as caffeine, has been found to actually reverse the action of alcohol. Because of their cross-tolerance and dependence with alcohol, benzodiazepines--especially intermediate acting preparations such as chlordiazepoxide and diazepam--are the mainstay in treating alcohol withdrawal, including convulsions and delirium tremens