In 2004, acamprosate was approved in the U.S. for abstinence maintenance, by decreasing
craving, in alcoholic patients who have undergone detoxification. while a new anti-craving
drug was encouraging, only 36.1% of the subjects treated with acamprosate remained abstinent
for 6 months. Having the ability to identify treatment responsive individuals would have a
major impact on the use of acamprosate.