Various clinical pictures may be identified within the relationship between alcoholism and epilepsy: a) epilepsy existing prior to the drink habit in which attacks are facilitated by intake of alcohol: b) convulsive syndrome coming on following prolonged intake of alcohol (real alcoholic epilepsy); c) convulsive attacks arising after acute intake of alcohol. Within the field of real alcoholic epilepsy two forms can be distinguished. One is generally reversible and arises 5-10 years following the start of the alcohol habis, the other tardive, starting years later irreversible). These pictures probably have different aetiopathogenetic mechanisms and this implies a different therapeutic approach.