The European Medicines Agency has recommended approval of Selincro -- the first approved drug therapy to proactively help curb a person's urge to drink.

Up to now, people with an alcohol dependence had to stop drinking before beginning treatment for their addiction -- a big hurdle.

However, all of the treatments, including psychosocial counselling measures, cannot prevent patients from relapsing.

The drug, developed by Lundbeck, reduces alcohol consumption and in doing so, minimises the consequences of harmful drinking.

It is regarded as a new treatment option for patients who may not have sought treatment before.

Studies involving 2,000 alcohol-dependent patients found those treated with the drug reduced their alcohol consumption by more than 40% within the first month, and by more than 60% at six months and a year

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