Abstract: Method for inhibiting aldehyde dehydrogenase activity using daidzin as a selective inhibitor of ALDH-I activity. Because daidzin is a potent selective, yet reversible, inhibitor of ALDH-I activity, it is useful as a pharmaceutical composition in methods for the treatment of alcohol dependence (i.e., alcoholism) or alcohol abuse, for alcohol sensitization, for extinguishing an alcohol-drinking response, for suppressing an urge for alcohol, for inducing alcohol intolerance, for preventing alcoholism in an individual with or without a susceptibility or predisposition to alcoholism or alcohol abuse, and for limiting alcohol consumption in an individual whether or not genetically predisposed.