[Alcoholism: from the molecular to public health].

The current knowledge on the interactions between alcohol and the central nervous system moves very quickly. Moreover the scientific advances follow the three axes of our understanding, biological, psychological and sociological, but this implies some dispersion. The present paper focuses on recent advances in neurobiology of alcoholism and shows new perspectives in pharmacological interventions, with new drugs. In the same time, the psychodynamic and systemic understandings are evoked, in a purpose of integration and of public health policy.