hi.. thanks for writing.. i have understood your concerns.. the alcohol addiction is defined more precisely, by the presence of tolerance and withdrawal effects to it..there are other symptoms also.. if your brother is taking for so long and u feel that he shud cut down because of impairment in social, occupational and interpersonal functioning then us shud take him to psychiatrist or deaddiction specialist.. the treatment for alcohol addiction can not be done on out patient basis, he has to be admitted to psychiatric hospital and has to go proper treatment and counselling.. there are no drugs which removes the craving of alcohol..drugs are there to decrease the withdrawal symptoms of alcohol... so. the strategy would be -motivational interviewing -complete stoppage of the alcohol -preventing the withdrawal symptoms -investigating for any physical complications for alcohol use -starting the patient on the so called anticraving drugs the patient can be given drug, which causes side effects when alcohol is taken after that..these drug is given after informed consent from patient and s/he relatives.. so.. one can leave alcohol, but he should be motivated t do this..it can be by support from family members and by motivational interviewing and counselling... so.. take him to the psychiatrist and admit him their for alcohol deaddiction.. i hope u ll find this advice helpful..best luck..