People use alcohol in excess usually because they are usually bombarded with the stress hormones (adrenaline) for which alcohol is an antidote. Thus if we want to treat alcoholism we need to treat the internal biochemical mechanism that produces too much adrenaline.

Adrenaline is not only a hormone that helps us to take drastic action in case of an emergency, but it is also a hormone that increases the blood sugar supply to the brain, when it senses an energy starvation.

The brain is very sensitive to and dependent on glucose as its only source of Biological Energy called (ATP). Without it even for short periods and the brain will die. This energy is also essential in the manufacture of serotonin from Tryptophan.

Please read:

Alcoholism is a Treatable Disease

Why alcoholics drink?