Objective. To study the 20-years’ clinical alteration and alcoholism basing on the changes in its clinical symptoms and course. Material and methods. The study included 527 alcoholics with formed alcohol withdrawal syndrome: 181 alcoholics were examined in 1988—1990 (Group 1) and 346 alcoholics in 2011—2012 (Group 2). Results and conclusion. In Group 1, vodka consumption dominated at all stages of alcoholism. Group 2 included 172 alcoholics with the domination of vodka consumption and 174 alcoholics with mixed consumption. It was shown that in comparison with Group 1 (1988—1990 patients) patients from Group 2 (2011—2012) had slower and mild development of alcoholism, especially those in the mixed consumption group. The authors suggest that the change of the clinical pattern in Group 2 was due to the change in the composition of consumed alcoholic beverages.