These observations have stimulated many studies on dopamine’s role in alcohol abuse and dependence, also with the intent of finding new pharmacological approaches to alcoholism treatment. This review summarizes some of the characteristics of dopaminergic signal transmission as well as dopamine’s potential role in alcohol reinforcement. There has been a great deal of activity in recent years in the study of the direct effects of ethanol on the dopamine reward system originating in the ventral tegmental area (VTA). In addition, recent evidence suggests that acetaldehyde formed from ethanol in the brain or periphery may be a crucial factor in the central effects of ethanol. Therapy sessions will teach you coping techniques to deal with the triggers that fuel drinking. The 9 base pair repeat is…