Millions of Americans suffer from alcohol abuse, alcohol addiction and alcoholism. Alcohol addiction is considered chronic because it will have a long-standing effect on the individual that, even with treatment and recovery, will always be in the background. It is estimated that 70% of all people who develop alcohol dependence will have a single episode of this addiction that will last for a period of 3-4 years. For the remaining 30% of alcohol abusers, a lifetime of dependence and problems are likely to occur.