Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2010, 7 8. Conclusions 1885 Ethanol consumption is widely accepted worldwide and it is sometimes traduced into substance abuse. It causes global public health problems, covering social aspects as well as psychological, economical and family ones, among others. When alcohol consumption affects an individual´s health, molecular mechanisms inducing liver damage begin to occur. These processes have been described broadly and therapies developed for these diseases are focused on avoiding alcohol abuse and improvement of liver function, once a diagnosis of ALD has been made. Nevertheless, there are genetic factors that could predispose to the development of alcoholism or ALD. The identification of certain polymorphisms associated to these entities has been possible. Currently, there is a lengthy list of treatment strategies. Both conditions have multifactorial origin, so each factor involved is a target for the development of new therapies. New drug research is needed since currently available treatments are not as effective as expected, for after a year of alcohol consumption cessation, pathological drinking patterns tend to reappear. References 1. Global Status Report on Alcohol 2004; World Health Organization, Dept. of Mental Health and Substance Abuse: Geneva, Switzerland, 2004; p. 88. 2. Alcohol and Injury in Emergency Departments. Summary of the Report From the WHO Collaborative on Alcohol and Injuries; World Health Organization, Dept. Of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Dept. of Injuries and Violence Prevention.: Geneva, Switzerland, 2007; p. 13. 3. Mann, R.E.; Smart, R.G.; Govoni, R. The epidemiology of alcoholic liver disease. Alcohol. Res. Health 2003, 27, 209–219. 4. Malhi, H.; Gores, G.J. Cellular and molecular mechanisms of liver injury. Gastroenterology 2008, 134, 1641–1654. 5. Song, B.J.; Moon, K.H.; Olsson, N.U.; Salem, N., Jr. Prevention of alcoholic fatty liver and mitochondrial dysfunction in the rat by long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. J. Hepatol. 2008, 49, 262–273. 6. Lucey, M.R.; Mathurin, P.; Morgan, T.R. Alcoholic hepatitis. N. Engl. J. Med. 2009, 360, 2758–2769. 7. Siu, L.; Foont, J.; Wands, J.R. Hepatitis C virus and alcohol. Semin. Liver. Dis. 2009, 29, 188–199. 8. Mayfield, R.D.; Harris, R.A.; Schuckit, M.A. Genetic factors influencing alcohol dependence. Br. J. Pharmacol. 2008, 154, 275–287. 9. Day, C.P.; Bassendine, M.F. Genetic predisposition to alcoholic liver disease. Gut. 1992, 33, 1444–1447. 10. Ducci, F.; Goldman, D. Genetic approaches to addiction: Genes and alcohol. Addiction 2008, 103, 1414–1428. 11. Michitaka, K.; Nishiguchi, S.; Aoyagi, Y.; Hiasa, Y.; Tokumoto, Y.; Onji, M. Etiology of liver cirrhosis in Japan: A nationwide survey. J. Gastroenterol. 2010, 45, 86–94.