Alcohol addiction treatment can take many forms and is not simply about taking a patient's mind off their cravings for another drink.
Some research suggests that certain people are more prone to suffer from alcohol addiction than others, with the implication being that if scientists could just make some simple changes to the molecules in people's brains, they could be cured of their alcoholism and never need any more alcohol addiction treatment.
While there may be some truth to this, the problems for many people lie much deeper than a simple molecular pattern in the brain.
People who check into a rehab clinic seeking alcohol addiction treatment often have a number of underlying causes for their problems, with the need to drink simply a manifestation of other issues in their lives.
Rehab centres will often concentrate on getting to the bottom of these issues as part of an alcohol addiction treatment programme, through group therapy and individual sessions.
Talking out issues of family problems and work stresses can provide the patient with a real insight into why they became hooked in the first place, while the professionals can help develop strategies for alcoholics to make them realise that they no longer need to rely on drink to fill whatever perceived void exists.
As a result, patients who are ready to leave a rehab clinic will often have a much clearer perspective of their lives and recognise that alcohol no longer needs to be a part of their daily routine.